Specifications

• Number 110 of the final 500 made at the Lake Orion, MI plant in March 2003
• Engine: 4.0 Liter Transverse V8, 260 HP, 280 Lb Ft Torque
• Transmission: 4 Speed Automatic with Overdrive and Lockup
• Variable Ratio Power Steering
• Front Wheel Drive
• Air Bag-Driver/Passenger-Front
• Air Bag-Side-Body-Front
• Brakes-Type-4 Wheel DISC
• Engine Immobilizer/Vehicle Anti-Theft System
• Headlights-Auto-Off/On
• Locks-Child Safety Rear Door
• Traction Control and Anti-Lock Brakes
• Vehicle Stability System
• Driver / Mirror Position Memory
• Air Cond-Dual Zone Front Auto Climate Control
• Cruise Control
• Keyless Entry
• Power Windows and Door Locks
• Mirrors-Electrochromic Rearview
• Mirrors-Power Driver/Passenger
• Mirrors-Vanity - Driver/Passenger Illuminated
• Reading Lamps - Front/Rear
• Seat-Leather - Power-Heated Driver/Passenger
• Seat-Rear Pass -Through w/ Arm Rest
• Seats-Front Bucket
• Steering Wheel -Tilt - Leather Wrapped w/ Audio Controls
• Trip Computer and Driver Information Center
• Remote Trunk Release
• Universal Garage Door Opener
• Bose Audio-AM/FM Stereo-Cassette Player-12 Disc Remote CD Changer
• Defogger - Rear Window
• Fog Lamps - Front and Rear
• Mirrors - Heated Exterior Driver/Passenger
• Sun Roof - Power Tilt/Sliding
• Wipers -Variable Speed, Intermittent-Rain Sensing
• Tire Size: P235/55HR17
• Wheels - 17" Chrome Plated Aluminum
  

I have been using a non-Oldsmobile as a daily driver for years - most recently a 2006 Subaru Outback. Don’t get me wrong, Subaru is a fine reliable car and all of them have all wheel drive – a major advantage in the snowy northeast, but in the back of my mind, I have always had the thought that I should be driving an Oldsmobile as a daily driver. Now that I am retired, I don’t have to go out regardless of the weather and when I saw a 2003 “Final 500” Aurora listed on eBay, I decided the time had come. I was also influenced by the fact that my daughter’s 1999 Subaru Forester was in need of replacement, so I placed my bid using esnipe (a service that will place your eBay bid in the last 6 seconds of the auction – this allows you to remain anonymous until the end). Guess what – I won the auction!

I contacted the seller and Intercity Lines to arrange payment and transport, but unfortunately November is “snowbird season” and Intercity couldn’t deliver the car until almost 3 weeks later. The Aurora was delivered on the morning of November 18 by a husband / wife Intercity team (I can’t say enough for Intercity Lines – they are the best) and I arranged to transfer the registration from my Outback to it the same day and have been driving the Aurora ever since.

The Aurora is classified as a “near luxury” model and certainly is. This car has every option except the navigation system and is a pleasure to drive. It has memory seats, mirrors, radio and climate control that can be set to automatically adjust for two drivers and the 4.0 liter V8 (similar to the Northstar) provides excellent performance. It also has many other features including a vehicle stabilization system which make it handle competently. I was pleased that it made almost 26 miles/gallon on a recent trip to Maine on 87 octane gas.

My Aurora (I am the second owner) is number 110 of the final 500, came complete with all the final 500 documentation, and is in excellent condition for 97,000 miles. These cars routinely are good for several 100,000 miles when properly maintained and I have no reason to think this one will be any different.

Now I am finally “all Oldsmobile” and can feel good about it. I wonder if I can convince Claire to give up her Forester for a “Final 500 Bravada”?