Brougham-Holiday

As of 6 pm the Aurora is for sale.

Just picked the 98 up from the shop....she runs good.

No, I've given up on it totally. I've put $3700 into the Aurora in repairs in the last 2 years, I've had to take it to GM dealerships because no one else wants to work on it. I've written GM and spoke to them on the phone for 45 minutes about the car, they don't care. To day the issues have been: transmission, leaking sun roof, leaking trunk, stalling, highway vibrations, steering column clunk (steering shaft), over heating, crazy climate control, wipers that don't work when it rains, and various electrical gremlins. I called GM because the transmission screwed up again 6 days after the guarantee expired. The work had been done by their dealer, but I was told that there was nothing they could do because the transmission isn't a safety issue. I then asked about the wipers, he said they would get back to me via email....that was in October. I'm tired of going to the dealership for everything. I'm tired of knowing that there is always another repair waiting (it still need tie rod ends ($404) and air shocks....and tires.....and of course the transmission is a nightmare. Now that I have vented.... in a nutshell....no I'm done trying to save it.

I learned there are actually nice people working at the DMV...........shocking.

First was/is to get all of the mechanicals in good order, and thats going to be the main thing for the time being. I'd like to get the headliner repaired and a few other things inside as well as figure out something with the hood/roof/trunk lid. If this car proves to be 1/2 the car my Delta was, I'll be looking into getting some paint work done. I bought this car with the intention of replacing my Aurora quickly and cheaply, so I'd call the goal a presentable daily driver.

Thanks for the moral support! I just picked up the plates this morning, hopefully Monday will be D-day!

Congratulations!

Update #2: After replacing the starter, I decided the rest of the major repairs (harmonic balancer, power windows, etc) were a little over my head......well actually a lot over my head.... so I had the car towed to a local repair shop. They replaced the harmonic balancer, fixed the power windows, and are currently welding up the exhaust (broken hangers) putting the door panels back together, and replacing the front tires. I just picked up the insurance card today and should have it home early next week. After all the troubles with the Aurora, its nice to pick up the phone and have the mechanic say "She runs smooth" and "engine sounds real strong".

How is fit and finish? Anything that stands out in any way? Does the trim that is specific to the wagon match the quality of the rest of the car?

I'm shocked the Grand Marquis saw its sales improve last month and was Mercury's best selling product for December. the Lincoln Town Car also got a nice bump last month.... could there still be a retail market for these cars?

I like that it still looks like the car I saw last year at the New York show, it was an impressive offering from a broken company.

Dad has had: 2007 Pontiac G6 V6 4dr (currently) 2000 Honda Civic LX 4 dr 1987 Pontiac Grand Am LE coupe 1986 Ford Ranger V6 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix 1970 Volkswagen Super Beetle 1968 Pontiac Catalina 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix 1964 Pontiac Catalina 1963 Oldsmobile 88 1962 Pontiac Star Chief 1956 Pontiac Star Chief. His Parents had: 1981 Toyota Corolla 1973 Buick LeSabre Custom 1973 Volkswagen Beetle 1969 Volkswagen Karmen Giha 1964 Pontiac Catalina (different then dad's) 1956 Pontiac Star Chief (different then dad's) 1951 Pontiac late 1940's Pontiac My Mom's parents had a 1957 Ford wagon, and a 70's Dodge, I don't know any others.

Yesterday I saw the new Chrysler Group ad, featuring several historically important Chrysler Group cars and set to the song "Sweet Disposition". <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value=" name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

How does the interior feel from the driver's seat? From the photos I've seen it looks like the dash/door panels intrude . How do the controls feel? Is the switch gear capable of living up to the standards of a Lexus/Acura/Audi owner?

How did you find the overall layout of the controls? Did you find yourself looking to the owners's manual or was everything typical GM stuff? Overall good review and great job incorporating the request/etc from the first review.

Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and happy Festivus!

Olds, Having driven both the Terrain and Equinox, is there any reason to buy one over the other? Does one have a better dash layout, fit and finish, seem quieter, handle better, etc? Are they badge engineered or are they actually distinctive enough to require two separate brands?

Very exciting, nice write up and clear photos, since when does C&G have access to GM's press fleet?

Moving Bob away from marketing wasn't such a bad idea after all......

Update #1- I installed a new battery and starter in the driveway today and........its alive! Oil pressure is good, volts are good, temp is good......just that dang low fuel warning.

Had the car been taken care of I know I wouldn't have got it for $200, but at the same time I'd like to smack someone for trashing it so much. So far the craziest thing is that the starter's outside casing has a crack in it. I've never seen anything like it, my best guess it that when the starter was dying they kept cranking it until it over heated? I'm going to try to get a new starter in it on Friday.

1. Sorry all, I have no idea how to resize images, im not great with computers (took me a while just to figure out how to post a picture). If anyone of the mods wants to resize them or whatever thats cool. Anyway back to the car...... I saw the car listed on craigsliston Firday night. After noticing the fog light in the picture, I called the owner Saturday morning. I went over there yesterday, it won't start (the starter is shot and it had a dead battery until today). The two front windows are off the track (so they slide down into the door and stay there, right now I have the car under a car cover) it needs tires, front brakes (pads/ rotors) and a harmonic balancer. I told the lady I wouldn't pay $500 for any car I couldn't hear run, so I got it for $200 plus a tow across town. Other then that, its got 145,000 miles, and has no rust,(odd for New England) but need paint bad, hopefully I'll do something about that in the summer.

Step 1 is getting it started.... Heres a few more pictures I snapped yesterday...

A few more..... The front power windows are shot, it needs a starter, the clear coat is pealing, and it has about 145,000 miles. Now where did I leave that screw driver....