Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/25 for details.
Options
Comments
My mom has a new one (GL2, Ruby Red) and she never got a certificate in the mail nor any mailings or any kind of offer at all!!!!!
As far as the warranties, that was announced at the same time GM made the Oldsmobile phase out annoucement (I think it was Dec. 12th) and the rebates will be mailed in January. Our dealer just took care of it in advance. Olds has taken out full page ads in the Boston Globe and Boston Herald here in MA to advertise the new warranty and it was a big selling point with me...
I would recommend the sport suspension, if you want a car that will stick to the road. I am really pleased with how my car handles, and the ride is not rough as a result. I test drove two Aleros, one with the sport suspension and one without, back to back. I could definitely tell a handling difference.
I have two questions. First, on a couple of occasions I have noticed that the steering wheel seems to vibrate when I brake, especially when i brake hard. It doesn't do this every time but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar. It could just be that the brakes need to be worn in a little bit (they do only have 200 miles on them!) so I'm not concerned.
My other question is about gas mileage. What should I expect? I know that it depends largely on how people drive, but on average what are some of the other Alero drivers getting. My Malibu would get 30+ on the highway and usually averaged about 25 or so overall so I was very pleased...
My question - is this a good price? Do I jump on it? It's the only 2000 Alero on the lot...
Thanks for any input.
Thanks
Extra remotes: Any 4-button remote can be programmed to the Alero by the dealer. Just buy the one off EBay and have your dealer program it for you. It beats buying one of theirs, as they go for over $100 (at least they do on Pontiac Bonnevilles, because my mother lost hers and had to replace it).
How reliable have they been, how is gas mileage, and how are the older ones (1999) holding up?
For less than a GL1 V-6 with the feature package (15" wheels, foglamps, leather wrapped shifter/wheel) the GL4 comes with 16" wheels, leather interior, leather wrapped shifter/wheel and a 6-way power driver's seat. Even adding the Sun & Sound package makes it just a few hundred more than the V-6 without any of these things.
If I could just add the V-6 to this package it would be great and I wouldn't have any problem deciding, but it's only available with the 4 cylinder. The only way I could equip a V-6 model with the same level of equipment (leather seats, especially) would be to go to a GLS. But that would add nearly $2000 to the price!
I drove them both back to back, and didn't feel too much difference in performance in most cases, other than the 4 cylinder being louder, and not in a good way. Of course, the V-6 is a lot stronger and smoother when it comes to things like passing and merging.
I would like to hear some comments from people with the 2.4 liter engine about its performance, and I'll probably hear lots from people with the 3.4 who will try to bring me back to my former opinion about choosing performance over options. I'm worried that if I go for the 4 cylinder with a bunch of options I'll end up seriously regretting it later.
I guess I should include the prices of these models. I get a GM employee discount, and there's a $2000 rebate that just went into effect, so keeping that in mind I'd be paying (without tax):
$15,935 for a 4 cyl. GL4 w/ spoiler
$16,253 for a V-6 GL1 w/ feature package and spoiler
$16,661 for a 4 cyl. GL4 w/ sun &sound and spoiler
$17,144 for a GL1 V-6 w/ feature package, spoiler and sun & sound
$17,794 for a GLS
And I haven't even included the GL2 prices into this whole thing, which would just add even more confusion. Now I think I'll stare at the color chart for a few more hours...
I think the real cost of these vehicles are not fully realized. If you read the consumer reports (www.consumerreports.org) from consumers union, the reliability of the Alero vehicles are high. Alero places right under the Honda ratings. With high reliability, there are much lower repair costs. So the 5 year 60,000 warranty is a good deal for GM and owners. This reliability factor confirmed my decision to go with the Alero.
Reading over the owner satisfaction here and other places, I chose the 2001 since any bugs were probably worked out on the 99-00 versions.
My package was the GL4 with 4 cylinder and leather interior. agree with the review with Consumer reports on the 99 model in whole, although an updated review on 2001 would have been nice.
My comments: The 4 cylinder seems to have enough power since 80% of my driving is California highway. Acceleration is sufficient for a pass while climbing hills is average. Try not to pass on a steep incline hill and you'll be fine. It would have been nice to have a V6 but for only 20 up more, I don't see the difference being critical. The 4 cylinder has some noise but I prefer the noise in combination with the tachometer to measure the transmission shifts and engine load. The steering is just a touch lacking, but it is probably my shifting over to the new car at this point
Enjoy the purchase. I feel these cars represent a good value in today's market until the gas-battery hybrids are in full force in a few years ( 60-70 mpg should be the next step in fuel efficiency)
Good luck, I think the Edmunds.com web site is a solid source on information. Use it to your advantage and let someone else get stuck with the dealer high margins, not you!
I like the sport suspension because it feels tighter...in turns, corners, and bumps. The GLS rides on the same size 16" rubbers but it feels just a bit softer. The GLS had leather and the other didn't. It did feel soft and comfortable, but I just personally don't think its worth paying more just for leather. You can get a GL with sport suspension, even a V6, and it'll be just like a GLS but cheaper. That's the way to go.
That was the same feeling I came away with. The GLS Touring suspension almost made it handle like a bigger car, smoother but much looser in a turn, I prefer the tight feel of the sport suspension.
I can get a GL2 with sun & sport +V6 for about 20k (invoice +200) before rebates. I thought the leather was nice.. but the GLS would be closer to 22k with the sunroof and spoiler I would like. My budget and sensible side say stick with the cloth seats.
Now I have to figure out a way to unload my 98 Saturn SL2 so I can go buy the GL2. The Saturn has been good to me, but the Alero is a big upgrade in many ways. Anybody wanna buy a nice used Saturn???
I didn't think so
I think the most I can get in a trade it is about 6k... ouch!
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_car truck/other/34_torque.htm
As you can see, the top rev for the engine is around 5500 rpm, with 5200 rpm providing the maximal power.
Or you can look where the redline zone starts at the tachometer.
http://www.alero.com/section/Features.asp?topic=Specifications
http://www.gmpowertrain.com/engines_cartruck/other/34_main.htm
Sorry for my error.
I brought the Alero back to the dealer because of the vibrations I felt when I braked, which I discussed above. The dealer took it for a spin, agreed that something was off, and the problem ended up being that the Rotors were coated with Rust! This concerned me, of course, since this car is 2 weeks old (made in October, delivered 12/18) and has 700 miles on it. The mechanic said taht rust probably creeped in from sitting on the lot, and that if I had driven it enough it would have fallen off the rotor eventually. Nonetheless, instead of scraping it off he replaced the front rotors and now the braking was perfect. I called the dealer we bought the car from (different from where it was fixed) and he said he had never heard of that problem...well, he has now! Anyone else ever hear of that?
Anyway, enjoy your Aleros!
Rat284, I'm right where you were last week. It's so hard to decide! I practically know the brochure inside out, still can't decide coupe vs. sedan. Being in my mid-20s I was leaning towards the coupe. But then I'm thinking...I probably won't resell (who knows what it'll be worth down the road) so if I'll have it for a while, I might need the 4-doors. But I'm leaning towards the 4-cyl because of the DOHC, and because the GL4 leather options might make it easier to resell if I must.
I already conquered the Ruby vs Sterling dilemma. I'm sticking with Ruby (at least that's the mood I'm in now).
That being said, I'd love to hear feedback on the coupe vs sedan issue. Should I sacrifice funcionality for form? (I don't want to look like a 27 yr old driving her mom's car!)
Since the brake rotors on the Alero (and most all vehicles) are made of cast iron, it is not unusual for them to accumulate some surface rust. This is due to the bare iron reacting with water molecules in the atmosphere. Your front brake pads are of the semi-metallic type, so few hard stops will rub the rust off. It's normal.
By the way, mckomer, you'll be much happier with the V6. Not only does it feel faster (because of the higher torque output), but it is much more reliable than any of GM's four cylinder motors. Your car will have better resale value with the V6 as well. Plus, it is easier to modify for higher HP!! (Very important to this 26 year-old.):)
Thanks for all the great posts on this board that I have been frequenting the past couple weeks. They have been most helpful!
I'm happy to say I bought the 2001 Alero GLS sterling 2-dr. With my GM employee discount (thanks grandpa), rebates and GM points and the 0-0-0 deal, I just couldn't pass it up.
However, I'm a bit concerned with the gas mileage I'm receiving out of the car. I'm thinking it's doing poorly because it only has 670 miles on it, but... In the city I'm getting maybe 15 mpg, and on the highway, only around 25 mpg.
No warning lights are on, and the tires are properly inflated to 30 psi. Could this just be a result of the car being new? The car isn't knocking or making any pinging noises.
Should I be concerned or will this fix itself in time?
Well, I think the coupe looks sportier than the sedan, but if you need versatility, I think it doesn't look sporty enough to give that utility up if you need it. Me, being 24 and getting my 1st brand new car and all, wanted something to show my youth, etc...even if it does say OLDsmobile on the back!! Really though, both are sharp looking cars, especially with the spoiler...
Sneums- Bronzemist is a very nice color and especially if you get a GLS which has the high polish wheels. 2001 is the first year they are offering it on the Alero. It previously had been available only on the Aurora and Intrigue(and some Cadillac models). In daylight when it is nice and clean, I think it is a very sharp color. Gives the car a classy look. Sterling is nice too and again, Olds has upgraded their color offerings as Sterling had previously been a Cadillac and Aurora only offering and now for 2001, you can get it on the Intrigue and Alero. I think it is better looking than the silver previously offered.
Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with the GA. But my tastes run along smooth curves and a "natural" body. If those things they glue alongside the GA are your cup of tea...that's ok. We all have different tastes. Take the switchgear inside these 2 vehicles. I really like the knobs and stuff in my Alero. I don't like those kinda ugly gray switches in the GA, nor do I like those things they attach to the body. I think the Alero looks aggresive with its large fender flares and polished 16s. Not to mention those fat taillights and spoiler. While both may share the same mechanical bits and chasis, I prefer the more "sophisticated" look of my Alero. My friend Barry who drives a '99 GA agrees with this position.