The Alero is offered in a 2 door coupe or a 4 door sedan with option of a 2.4-liter/150-hp 4 cylinde
The Alero is offered in a 2 door coupe or a 4 door sedan with option of a 2.4-liter/150-hp 4 cylinder or a 3.4-liter/170-hp V-6. Both come with the standard 4-speed automatic and ABS.
Strengths: Power - from off the line to top end
Auto trans - smooth as silk
Styling - very nice
Appointments - great sound system
Power seat makes driving a pleasure
Gas mileage - 22 to 23.5 in stop and go city traffic
Weaknesses: Goodyear tires - perform well but don't look as good as Michelins and never will.
Summary: This is the 2nd Alero owned by my wife and me. She has been driving her 99 Alero since 2000. A SUPER car. She has 110000 miles on it now and it is still a great looker and a terrific little speeder - especially with the K&N air filter, which make sit roar. Both Aleros, I drive the 04 have the 3.4 engine, which I highly recommend to anyone considering buying an Alero. Great styling, too, for the price range. Keep mobil 1 in the crankcase and the engine will always show the driver its appreciation. So far, the 99 Alero needed an alternator and a front strut replaced. As well, the hazard switch broke but will be repaired free under a recall order. The 99 is super fast - much faster than the 04, but our mechanic says the 99 is much looser with 110000 miles on it compared to the 04 at 19,000. Love the off the line performance as well as top end. 4 speed automatic is an incredible trans which in both cars is incredibly smooth. Don't care for the Goodyear performance tires on the 04 because they don't stay as black as the Michelins on the wife's 99. I'll replace with Michelins when the time comes. Gas mileage, when I drive like a person who has sense, is 23.5/gal city. Don't know what highway would be but wife who drives mostly highway gets almost 29/gal on her 99. I highly recommend this vehicle to anyone but like any used car, make sure the previous owner didn't abuse it. That's why some of these reviews, I believe, are not as favorable as this one. Also, the dealer is important. My dealer has a good reputation for taking care of their customers after the sale even though they are not as loose at the bargaining table, although they finally met my offer. Overall, I'm happy with the deal and the cars and would not hesitate to purchase another well-cared for Alero in the future. Why did GM close down Olds? Must be true about the conspiracy AGAINST excellence in America. Wish I had started out my car buying career with Olds!
Strengths: Syling - a good looking car with the spoiler and alloy wheels.
Value for the money - a lot of options for the money.
Oldsmobile reputation for quality.
Weaknesses: Roofline is too low - very little headroom for a person 6' or taller.
Gas mileage is not what was claimed. I expected to get about 26 - 27 mpg with the 4 cylinder, am only getting about 20 -21.
Summary: I have not driven this car very long, but so far I am disappointed. I bought the GL model with the 2.2. liter Duratec engine, which seems peppy (rated at about 140 hp), and rated very good on gas, around 24 city and 32 highway. So far I have only acheived about 20 mpg. The headroom is also minimal. I'm about 6' 2" and unless I tilt back the seat and push it all the way back, my head will brush on the ceiling. The left arm rest seems to stick out over the drivers seat making me feel cramped on the left hand side as well.
I bought the car after comparing to other models such as a Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus, and Ford Focus, and was attracted to it by its sylish looks, reported good gas mileage, and excellent price. It is also loaded up with more options such as power seats, alloy wheels, and spoiler that the competing models didn't have.
Weaknesses: Goodyear tires from factory are noisy and don't even look good.
Summary: Follow-up to 1st review 1.33 yrs ago. Alero still running great - actually better than before. Mods include 18" 5 spoke racing rims, Eibach lowering springs (1 1/2 - 2 inch drop), Sumitomo performance tires which look GREAT, red calipers, racing buckets, new rear speakers 200 WATT),fiber hood scoop (makes the all-white Alero look very distinctive and tough), led brake-turn signal-running lights, outside mirror turn signal indicators, clayed body, 8mm ignition wires. Car looks as agressive as it runs. BEST IMPROVEMENT-Swapped out factory plugs for Bosch 2 spark plugs and the car now has incredibly faster throttle response at take-off; starts quicker, accelerates noticeably more smoothly, and idles much quieter. Can't believe it, but factory plugs from dealer were NOT gapped right (0.05 instead of 0.06 makes a HUGE difference in the 3.4 liter's performance.) Switched out trans fluid for Mobil 1 trans fluid and the vehicle shifts more smoothly, now. The Alero looks sharp and gets lots of great comments, especially from chicks, which is okay with me. Still gets 23.5 mpg city but with the increased throttle response I expect to eventually get better mpg. We'll see. Too bad there's no more Oldsmobile to make more of these great cars.
Similar Products Used: Camry. But, really no comparison.
Strengths: Powerful engine when properly fed and maintained. Sporty handling/brakes w/correct tires Very stylish, handsome exterior. 4-cylinder engine delivers 30+ MPG on highway trips, 22 - 25 MPG in town
Weaknesses: Cheap, flimsy front bucket seats need more padding/bolstering. Dash vents you can't adjust the way you really want them. Cheap controls for heater. Automatic headlights so convienient that inspection guy leaves them on in manual mode, runs your battery dead (what's that buzzing sound, anyway?). Beware the high insurance costs...
Summary: Bought as "Certified" used car from new-car dealer. Wasn't my first choice, wanted an SUV. Price was right, was trying to build credit. That said, car was decent enough. Bought w/25K miles, silver w/spoiler and 15" aluminum wheels. Very handsome looking car - one of my all-time favorites. Paint was scratched, carpet was dirty/stained - was rental car. 16-valve 4-cylinder engine w/4-spd. auto. transmission provided ample thrust for this 3,000 lb. car. Lethargic on regular gas, 25,000 miles worth of premium fuel and regular doses of fuel injector cleaner turned car into tire squealing monster - my wife was scared to ride with me at times. Which brings me to another point - my insurance agent told me that Aleros are expensive to insure. When I traded my (now) 3-year old Alero for a 2007 Ford Escape, my insurance went DOWN, even though the Escape's engine puts out 13 more horsepower. I guess buying an Alero turns you into Richard Petty in the insurance man's eyes.
Nice interior, even though 2nd cupholder location sucks (shared with ashtray, shifter smashes into your drink when putting into park). Many power goodies - automatic headlights, 6-way power driver's seat, windows, locks, mirrors, trunk release. Fold-down split rear seat. Standard AM/FM/CD (no mp3 ability) radio - no visible antenna - nice when going through the carwash. Car feels sporty - nice, fat steering wheel, easy to grip. Good cornering and braking after you jettison the noisy, slippery stock Eagle ST's for some decent replacement performance tires, even retaining the 15" wheels. Basic gauges, cheap heater controls (1 broke off day after I took delivery) Seats could use more padding/bolstering for "performance sedan", feel cheap and flimsy, not comfortable on long trips. Good sized trunk, more flexable w/folding split rear seats. Heat and A/C ok, except upper vents can not be angled above horizontal for more effective A/C distribution
Similar Products Used: 1977 Chevy Nova - Caveman car
1987 Chevy Nova - Toyota Corolla clone
1988 Chevy Corsica - small car that "rides" (wallows) like a land yacht
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Rating Reviewed by: Laurie(Unregistered User)
Review Date March 12, 2007
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Value Rating 2 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 5.00 of 5,
2.00 votes
Review 5 of 277
Price Paid:
$18000.00
from Jacksonville, NC
Year / Model Reviewed: 2004 Oldsmobile Alero GL
Strengths: Looks good
Weaknesses: Over all workmanship
Summary: This is one of the worst cars I have ever owned. I was glad to see all the positive reviews on this vehicle. Unfortunately I must have gotten a lemon... within the first 1000 miles my brakes went. I was driving down the road and the plastic piece that goes around the front windsheild flew off. My compressor unit when at 20,000... anytime my fan is on there is a horrible noise. Had attempted to have that fixed 2 times. Now turning to the left I get a horrible noise... Had this checked and they can find nothing wrong. Disappointed with the mpg...traded Buick Century that got 38 mpg on the highway and 25 city. To a 4 cyclinder that gets 23 city and 25 highway. Very sorry I bought this car. I should have known better than to buy a car from a manufacturer that was going out of business.
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