Buy this?

[Flyn]

My daughter wants to buy a used car in the $2,500 range. She has the cash and is dragging me to see this one tonight. 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora

Opinions? I think it has a lot of miles and a lot of age but $2,500 isn't going to buy perfection. I'm looking for a reasonably dependable car she can use to get back and forth to school.

Carfax is good. 3 owners, no unusual issues. This owner says he has all service records from himself and the previous owner. He mentions changing the oil every 3,000 and replacing the AC compressor a while back which is more than most people do with an old car.

This is the first car we are looking at for her and, just on principle, I hate to buy the first car I see but I don't know if I'll find much better for $2,500. Blue Book says $2,900 in good condition. What would you guys do?

Click to read more...

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

northstar and reliable in the same sentence?

Get her a 3800 car and have zero worries.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Isn't this the one with the weird Northstar or does it have a what in it?

Northstar I wouldn't...

 

[Yaj Yak]

[MENTION=2449]ilikemtb999[/MENTION] and i are fucking on top of eachother today

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

no homo?

 

[Bru]

Abort!

 

[Chester Copperpot]

[MENTION=2449]ilikemtb999[/MENTION] and i are fucking on top of eachother today

[MENTION=2449]ilikemtb999[/MENTION] and i are fucking on top of eachother

[MENTION=2449]ilikemtb999[/MENTION] and i are fucking on top

[MENTION=2449]ilikemtb999[/MENTION] and i are fucking

 

[Flyn]

LOL! We're talking $2,500 guys. She's not going to get anything great for that amount. Not every Northstar blows up. This guy just had a baby and bought a van so he's selling his older car. Dealer obviously didn't offer him shit for it so he's selling it himself.

I appreciate the comments. If you guys can find any other rides in the $2,500 range that would be better, I'll look for that model.

 

[Euro]

Ehh..a cheap Northstar wouldn't be categorized as reliable IMO. I'd stick with something 3800 or 3100/3400

 

[Flyn]

Aurora went for over $35K back in '98. It's a more expensive car than my Caddy. No wonder they only sold 25K of them each year.

I get it, though. You guys don't like Northstars.

 

[Bru]

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom, $2,950 - Cars.com

 

[syP]

you and your family tree seem to have excellent choices in cars

 

[EmersonHart13]

FUCKING!

Carter hit it on the head.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Aurora went for over $35K back in '98. It's a more expensive car than my Caddy. No wonder they only sold 25K of them each year.

I get it, though. You guys don't like Northstars.

as i said before.. isn't it the weird like 4.4 northstar though or something.


why chance something that is known to be occasionally unreliable... when something exists that is reliable, parts are readily accessible fucking everywhere, and gets better mpg.

 

[Flyn]

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom, $2,950 - Cars.com

I agree with this one. I have been looking for Buicks in the price range/condition/not con man seller but haven't found any yet.

 

[EmersonHart13]

3800 FTW

 

[Primalzer]

Aurora V8, smaller displacement Northstar. But yes, I will echo what everyone else has been saying, stay away, stay far away. Do you like setting fire to money, because that's what you'll be doing with that $2500.

I've had a few friends with the Aurora V8, none of them ever drove or operated properly. NONE

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

$2500 gets you a decent whip up here. Florida apparently not.

 

[Flyn]

as i said before.. isn't it the weird like 4.4 northstar though or something.


why chance something that is known to be occasionally unreliable... when something exists that is reliable, parts are readily accessible fucking everywhere, and gets better mpg.

4.0. My wife and daughter WANT to go look at this one. I like Auroras. Thought they were overpriced when new but they had some great reviews. Either the authors were shilling for GM or the car did have some admirers.

I'll make another check on the car sites for a Buick or similar before we go and check the Aurora out thoroughly. If it has any issues, I'll pass on it and take the grief from the family.

 

[Yaj Yak]

what Craigslist area do you use?

 

[Bru]

The Land Rover Range Rover is a great car new and gets great reviews. Would I ever own one? Hell no.

 

[Flyn]

you and your family tree seem to have excellent choices in cars

Caddy is an awesome car. Love it. Someone hit the quarter panel the other day but that wasn't the Caddy's fault.

 

[Flyn]

what Craigslist area do you use?

Sarasota or Fort Myers. Just got home from work and haven't checked it today.

 

[Yaj Yak]

and i thought the people around here wrote bad craigslist ads.


holy fuck.

 

[Yaj Yak]

1999 GT Pontiac Grand Prix


2000 Buick Regal

2002 Buick Regal