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I have owned the lot of foreign automobiles, VWs,SAABs, Peugeots, Fiats, Nissans, etc. and have rented Camrys, Corrolas, Mirages, Elantras, Etc. But when it came time to buy a really fun car to enjoy I bought a 2000 GL Alero sedan. Also bought a 2000 Intrigue for my wife. These are both program vehicles with a few miles on them.
They are both nearly perfect when compared to the foreign names. I was buying these looking for the fine quality that was supposed to be there, but I never found.
Sorry you can not enjoy your car as I do.
I totally disagree with you assessment of the car. The Alero is an excellent choice for a smaller mid-size sport sedan.
Besides this problem, I love my car. Also, has anyone heard the 2001 8 speaker sound system? Is it much better than the 100watt upgrade of the 99 to 2000 alero?
Thanks for any info
I have test drove the performance suspension, and yes you do feel the bumps more. But, that's what a performance suspension is for, better road feel. You will need a obsenely heavy car or a loose and flexible suspension and frame not to feel any bump at all. You're not going to find an active suspension in this class yet.
I do agree with the heating system however, it should be more flexible. But, it's nothing that I can't deal with.
If you were looking for perfect refinement vs. performance, you should have went for another car. But for this price in it's class, you can't find anywhere close to the performance and handling that the Alero provides.
Though, Buick managed to make cars with rigid suspension, not transmitting the road bump to the driver's butt. I mean Regal, with Gran Touring suspension. It have thick seats and, as I had read, rubber bushings between the car body and suspension.
Of course, Regal is larger than Alero, but hardly obscenely heavy. The same size and weight as Intrigue, or about 10% heavier than Alero with 3.4l engine.
Case in point: Compare GM's Buick line with a Toyota Avalon. They both have soft suspension tuned for ride comfort. Although Buicks ride comfortably, they have (for lack of a better description) a cheap feeling over bumps. You can feel the bump transmit through the whole car. With an Avalon, the car simply makes a simple soft thump and makes no more commotions about it and moves on. The Avalon still manages to handle better than the Buick even with a superior ride.
As for engine noise, I like the sound of engines too. But the Alero sounds like a tractor. Ford's Duratec and Yamaha SHO, Toyotas V6, Hondas VTEC I4 and V6, and Nissans V6s all sound sexy and they rev as if there is no red line. Alero's V6 is not only coarse but it is lazy to rev.
You guys are right. I should not have bought this car. But I won't have to make payments on it for one year. I hope I can get a decent price for it next year when the payments are due. But with its dismal resale value, I will probably suffer a huge loss if I sell it.
I have this setup in my 2001 Alero, and the sound sucks, particularly the midrange. I listen primarily to classical music and opera. The strings don't sound rich, cymbals sound fake, and overall there is too much brightness.
So, you have nothing to feel bad about. You have not missed out by buying a 2000 model with the premium sound. Get aftermarket components.
My mom has a 2.4L 2001 Alero, so all together now i have driven 3 Aleros and all are quiet and for the msot part rattle-free. Maybe you just got the one bad one. They really do give you a lot of bang for the buck.
I have to ask you about the price you paid: 19,900 for a MSRP of 21,600?? I have the GM Supplier Discount and they quoted me the exact same thing. Whoa! Did you have a GM discount? i thought this discount was supposed to be less than what the public pays.
Am I getting a raw deal, paying $19900 for a $21600 car?
As for the pings, I had a problem with my car doing a violent shift into 2nd. The service dept uploaded the latest software version and the problem was solved.
As those of you who have been following this category for a while know, my biggest problem was the water leak during heavy rains. Heads up to all the coupe owners out there....watch for water under/behind the front seats after a heavy rain.
Despite my complaints, I will acknowledge that Oldsmobile, in my opinion, has the best portfolio of models in GM's lineup and Oldsmobile is the only GM division that I would consider when buying a car. I would be able to overlook my complaints if only GM would drop in a 3.0 liter version of the Northstar.
And no, I am not a GM employee or a supplier employee. Coming into a dealership prepared with information and strategy helps tremendously. Salesmen are so full of #!?$%#@^z!
I have had my 99 Alero now for 1 1/2 years, and I have taken my car back to the dealership 3 times for "warped" rotors. I asked him what the problem was and he told me that they don't make rotors like they used to. Now I am experiencing a knocking noise that sounds like my whole underbody of my car is coming out, and also I have to have my power steering pump replaced. My car is not even 2 years old and experiencing all these problems. I love my car, but it is too much of a hassle. I have already had my drivers seat tracking (that slides the seat back and forth)replaced because it was defective. I don't know what to do. Can someone help me!
BTW, why not Intrigue, if this is an Olds dealership?
In response to SUNSETKG, I think you should check out your states lemon laws. It sounds like you bought a used car, because you said you bought a 1999 model and had it for less than a year. I believe lemons laws don't apply to used cars, but do some research and try contacting your states consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau. Good Luck.
Yesterday I test-drove two Aleros at a Dealer and both were perfect except for one piece of bodyside molding coming off, but that is easily fixed.
Edmunds and Car& Driver traditionally give GM cars, and especially the lower-priced ones, poor ratings. Hey Edmunds people: not every car can be a toyota Corolla. I just wish they'd go a little easier on the GM products.
Of course, I did not memorize the table, and do not remember it so well now, about half-year later. But I remember very well, that Impala had a very good rating, something about mid 130-th defects per 100 cars, and the Buick had even better results. This is higher than with most of Japanese cars.
The same with blaming all cars around for the problem they could not fix in your car. I own a 98 Malibu.
A lot of Alero owners have the leak problem, in different places of car (your fuse box is the worse place, though). The same with GrandAm - the two cars are practically tweens, with different badges and some secondary details, but the same body design and the same leaks.
I am also reading the Edmunds board, and, being a subscriber for Consumer Report, have their handbooks. Never saw any report concerning a leak in Malibu or its tween, now discontinued 97-98 Old Cutlass.
The cars share indeed the underbody with Alero/GrandAm, and had the same problems with brake rotors prone to warping. But, first, the rotor problem is not related to the leak in any way, and, second, to all appearance, it is already mostly fixed by GM.
Intrigue have/had its share of problems, but not the leaks. Being a larger car, it have totally different body, underbody, suspension, brakes, etc. The basic design is the same as for Grand Prix, Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, and Buick Regal and Century.
The only thing common with Intrigue and Alero is the general idea of the external appearance - lamps, etc. They are even produced at different plants.
Does anyone know how to find out about parts availabilty on a particular item for a model, without have part numbers? Curious that a car would be manufactured, two years ago, and that replacement parts are this hard to come by, especially a domestic vehicle.
Open to suggestions, comments, etc.
People reported on this board a hidden leak along firewall of GrandAm/Alero, down the windshield. Just a puddle on the floor after rain, and hard to find its source. This leak localization looks as much more natural for water to get into the fuse box.
I would try to pour water to the windshield, by a garden hose, and to watch if some water is getting into the car interior.
I don't have squeeks and rattles in my Alero and the interior quality is good enough in that it is better than in the GM and DC minivans. Those look and feel too cheap for me.
For the $19Gs of this Alero, can you get 170 hp in any of those other marques?
I shouldn't try to convince you of anything relating to the Alero. The point is you are not happy with your purchase because you cannot reconcile your decision to purchase it versus your expectations for the vehicle. This happens to people even if they spend $50Gs on a car.
I hope you get over it.
Speaking of power, I could forget all the quality problems if Oldsmobile would put in the Northstar engine in the Aleros bay. Are you listening GM or Oldsmobile?
Thanks anyway and I will eventually get over my purchase.
Unless that is, you live in icy cold climates. I don't know about those situations.
The car is a blast to drive and I am pleased with my purchase decision.
I also remember that Consumer Reports initially recommended the 1992-94 Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable twins, a recommendation that the magazine now regrets. The cars literally came apart at the seams at around 50,000 miles. Unfortunate owners experienced blown headgaskets, failed transmissions, faulty air conditioning compressors and defective motor mounts. Consumer Reports readers would have been better off buying a Cutlass Supreme or Regal.
I have nothing against rental favorites: they must be not expensive, abuse-proof, mechanically sound and reliable, at least initially. Have serious doubts, though, about Regal being a rental favorite.
Tried to rent a Regal last year, when our car was rear-ended. Turned to be, first, that the National Car Rental have only the Regal LS trim in its fleet, no Regal GS; second, classified them as premium cars (currently they are named full-size on their WEB site); and, the third, all Regal LS in Connecticut and around were rented-out and not available even with a week wait.
Know nothing about Cutlass Supreme, except that the model is out of production for years.
Yeah, the Alero is a decent car. And yes, Camry and Accords are more expensive. But the premium is worth it. Besides, you can buy a Galant V6 for the same price of an Alero V6.
And all the hot chics in college campuses in Southern California are seen in, if not Camrys, other Toyotas, Hondas, Volkswagens, some Fords, but definitely not Oldsmobiles.
And thank you for your suggestions as to do what to do with the car. I will give the Alero to my mother next year and I will buy myself an Audi A4 or BMW 3 series. Wish me luck.
I myself took ownership of my parents 1990 Taurus with the 3.0 Vulcan. I was among many who suffered Fords transmission debacle. I went through two transmissions before my uncle visiting us from out of town, borrowed my car and crashed it. That is why I bought the Alero.
By the way, I don't see why GM can put in a 3.0L or 2.8L version of the Northstar.
There is nothing wrong with the Alero. Please reconcile your purchase decision. I hope you can own that Audi or BMW in the future.
The cars the hot college chic have (Toyotas, Hondas, Volkwagens), their Daddies bought them.
I also didn't mean to get long-winded with my last post, but if someone is unhappy with GM quality, the last place I'd send them is to the Ford dealer!
Believe me, I also wish GM would tighten up its quality control. As a Honda Civic owner, I appreciate its reliability. Unfortunately, I'm getting tired of Honda's dull styling, and the cost of manufacturer-recommended maintenance is becoming annoying. (If anything, Toyotas look even more bland, and the Toyota driving experience is nothing to get exciting about.) I really like the styling of the Alero GLS coupe, but I want an OHC V-6 (miniShortstar?) and tighter quality control. GM makes great V-6 and V-8 drivetrains - now it must put its attention (and dollars) toward improving the rest of the car.
At this year's SEMA show, Olds showed an Alero powered by the Intrigue 3.5 V-6. That would be nice...
If the dealer won't give the district office number, contact GM or Oldsmobile directly and ask them for the district office number.
Come on down to Southern California and see what guys and girls are driving on college campuses, or anywhere else for that matter. Very few, Aleros or even F-body cars (Camaro, Trans-AM) can be seen here. There are lot of Mustangs, Foucs, Jettas, Beetles, Passats, Accords, Maximas, Integras, Civics, Explorers, RAV4s, Pathfinders, Passports, and Grand Cherokees. Of course, if your daddy is loaded you would be driving Land Rovers, Bimmers, and Audis.
Actually, now that I think of it, I think Volkswagen and Audi have the best styling. No wonder, they both share design studios.