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ABS loses out on gravel and snow, but not just because it can plow down to the better surface below. At the front edge of the tire the lose impediments get pushed up into a ramp, which has a mechanical advantage over the still-spinning wheel given by ABS.
The ABS steering advantage is a bit overrated. If the road has a low enough coefficient of friction that ABS needs to stop wheels from locking up early on, then steering will also be hampered as tires need to grip the road to change the direction. It will help in this case but what works better is a full anti-skid/vehicle stability program (or a skilled rally race driver) which uses both brakes and engine power to correct the problem.
I'll let you know about the experience! I can't wait to drive it!
Does anyone know what is causing it or of an easy fix. If i bring it back to a dealer will it be covered by my warranty? The dealers near here that used to sell Olds have stopped selling and servicing them. Will a Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer know how to correct it.
Thanks for your help.
I really like the car a lot but these little things make me crazy. By the way, a friend of mine who bought a Saturn LS3 fully equipped was in my car on New Years Eve. He told me that he likes the Alero ride better than his Saturn and in hindsight he wishes he had gotten the ALero and not his Saturn. He paid more than $5,000 more than I did.
Where do you happen to live? If you are in the Northern part of the country, we've been experienig some very very cold weather the past two weeks. that may have something ot do with it. Or you could just have a faulty sensor.
Good luck
By the way, check out the oil filter. Very easy to change.
So far I am in love! Got a good deal too...$100 over invoice, and got the $500 bonus cash by picking it up today. The 3200 GM card bucks also helped nicely.
Did you get a RDS stereo in it? I think those are really cool.
The buying experience was great...hope the car is as well. I will keep you posted.
In my book, that's a good sign that this engine is designed to perform for a long time.
Thanks for the heads up!
I've been researching aleros for a little bit, and i like this one car, but want to make sure this is the right choice. It is a used 2000 Alero GL, silver, coupe, auto, V4, with 20k mi, for about $10,900. Its options: spoiler, tilt, cd, Power everything including seats, driver/passenger airbags, ABS, keyless entry, security system, theft deterant system, and alum. wheels.
Is believe this is a good deal, but any opinions?
Also a few questions for olds alero owners:
Does the security system really hold up? Because I have had theft problems in the past.
How much of a difference is the V4 and V6, is the V4 fast enough?
I have been looking at 2000 olds alero warranties and i dont see anything about there being a powertrain warranty, is there such a thing?
Or would you recommend me buying new?
If anyone can please give me ANY help I would be very thankful.
matt
Don't worry, we're glad to "hear" your thoughts! :-)
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
One weird thing though. When I closed the hood yesterday (I've been checking out the engine alot)I noticed it seemed loose. All panel gaps were consistent, as was the sheet metal surface (hood to fender). It turned out the Rubber adjustment fittings had not been set. I gave them the turns they needed, and all was perfect.
Is this something that's supposed to be done at the factory or the dealership? Perhaps the dealership is at fault because I rushed them to pick it up...didn't give them much dealer prep time. However, it's a good sign that the hood and fenders were all flush even without the adjustment.
Anyway, I use a fine toothed comb, and this car is well done.
Considering that they only knew at about 11:30 that I was coming in that day, plus that I asked them to add mud flaps and keyless entry, I guess it is to be expected.
For the most part, my dealership experience was great.
One thing though...the aftermarket keyless entry does not have a trunk button, but has an AUX. I later asked the rep. if the aux. button would open the trunk, he pushed the button and nothing happened, then said no.
I asked why, and he gave me some BS about the trunk not having a solenoid. I knew he was full of it, (how else does the button on the door open the trunk...a pull chain?) but didn't make an issue of it. Yesterday, my 2 year old was playing with the remote opener for awhile until I got tired of hearing the horn beep. After grabbing the keys, I looked into the driveway and noticed my trunk was open!
I found out that the AUX button does work, but that you have to hold it for 2 seconds before it opens the trunk. You learn something everyday from a 2 year old! Now I'm gonna go punch that rep in the mouth.
Many bad connotations of aluminum come from cars like the Vega in the 70's. That situation has nothing at all to do with todays engines. Today, even if the block and heads are aluminum, the liners are always something like iron.
Aluminum engines are lighter, transfer heat better. For this and many other reasons is why its superior for block and head design to cast iron. Engineers have had decades of experience in aluminum design and so for a long time now its widely accepted that aluminum engines are superior to just about anything else.
I'll let you know if I learn anything.
I'd thought I'd pop in with a report on my 2001 Alero GL2 V6. The car is just over a year old and now has 14600 miles. It's midnight blue with the sun and sound package.
Overall, I'm extremly pleased with the car. It's had one major problem, which was a rattle caused by the rear window not fitting tightly. It took the dealers a while to figure out the cause, and a new window was ordered and eventually replaced. I drive primarily in the DC area although I bought the car in MA, and I was less than impressed with the northern VA dealer that did the work. However, the problem was fixed and has not occurred again.
Right now, I'm experiencing a bit of a rattle in the right front door speaker system. Anyone else seen this? It isn't bad enough to make a special trip in for, but eventually I'll have them fix it. Other than those two, there have been no problems.
I just took a trip from Boston to Washington with 2 other people and about 400 pounds of luggage and still got 33 miles per gallon at about 75 mph for the trip. That's excellent. In city driving it drops quite a bit to about 20, and overall averages about 24.5 because I do mostly city driving. That being said, the 3.4L V-6 is an excellent engine. The torque is most impressive and I find the engine barely has to work in most situations---it rarely even sees 3000 rpm for more than a few seconds. GM has always done transmissions well and the automatic is also excellent.
For those than have the extra cash, the sun and sound package is great. The sunroof has been a lot of fun and looks great. The 150 watt RDS 8-speaker stero packs quite a bit of punch and I enjoy going for rides with some of my friends who payed more for their Camry/Maxima/Accords and don't have that kind of system.
There is a lot of talk about 'refinement,' in the mainstream press, and Consumer Reports was critical of the Alero for lacking the refinement of the Camry. It may be true that the Alero is a bit louder and has a little more vibration, but there is no question in my mind that it is a hell of a lot more fun to drive and look at. My car looks great, and the midnight blue really accentuates the lines. Considering that I paid $17200 for it and a Camry with the same options would have been $23000+, I just laugh when I see one. For those prospective buyers out there, give it a chance. It's a very well designed car, and with features like the Traction Control System you just can't lose.
My 2002 (2.2)is definitely smooth. I agree about the 3.4L performance. It seems to hardly work at all. I look forward to seeing what kind of durability the 3.4 will have.
2 questions about the door speaker rattle:
1. Did the rattle recently develop?
2. Is it a buzz or rattle, and is it make the noise due to the speaker sound?
An aftermarket one won't have these, plus you really increase the chance of body rust by cutting into the top.
Are you considering a sunroof from the dealer, or somewhere else? Is it a moonroof type, or does it just pop up? I will consider one if it is very similar to the factory roof. One question I have is about the privacy panel...is it available with the factory roof fabric on an aftermarket? Is it available at all?
I will let you know what my dealer says.
you can get any type of sunroof: pop-up, pop-up and slide, etc. Not unless you have a friend in the business, i would recommend asking the dealer who installs their sunroofs. Make sure you read the warranty. ASC is a good company.
As for the rattle in the speaker, it did indeed develop recently, in the last 2 months or so. It occurs whether or not the radio is on. It seems like there may be something loose inside the fixture, although the speaker seems to be working fine. On rough roads its a lot noiser, not surprisingly. It basically sounds like a rattle.
As for the CR reviews, the 'refinement' criticisms were not specific to any engine but rather a general criticism of most American cars for being less refined than Japanese cars--engine noise, vibration, wind noise, switches, etc. Some of that may be valid, but in general at least in my view its overstated and certainly not worth paying thousands more to avoid. Plus, of course, cars like the Alero are just more fun!
Matt
http://www.junkscience.com/consumer/consumer_index.html
Was the Alero included in either of those reviews? I haven't read a recent review of the Alero.
More and more I feel like an orphan when it comes to car magazines...
:^(
If anyone out there has installed ventvisor shades on their doors, please let me know what you think. I'm still debating putting those on.
Compared to the Accord the Alero is louder and smaller interior (esp. the rear seat). They both handle and ride similarly but the Accord is more refined. The engine is smoother and Honda and Toyota have a knack of building relialbe cars. It does cost about $2000 more comparably equipped so you expect that.
The mid-size family segments has gotten so large that their is a two tier level. Accord, Camry and Passat and now the Altima have pulled away from the pack. having driven a Taurus right after driving an 4 cyl. Accord, I can see why more people buy Accord.
Does this mean the Alero is a bad car? Hell No! As many of you found out, it's a great value. It's a good riding car that get excellent gas mileage and it's fairly reliable. As long as you are happy with the cars that is all that matters. It's just a shame that GM decided to nix the Olds line just as it was re-gaining momentum.
happy Driving.
I object to the fact that in a "family car comparison", they exclude so many cars. They also don't factor in value for the buck and things like handling and performance like a car magazine would. CR uses a reliability and re-sale accountant type equation which isn't enough for a person who really enjoys driving.
I would question whether an Accord is only 2k more as well--its more like $4k with the discounts on the Aleros. The Alero is not the same type of car as teh Accord anyway--its more of a sports sedan than a family sedan and that is reflected in styling and back seat room. In any case, I'm glad I got a discussion going anyway!
Well, but it's only me. For the same price I got a Bonneville, a hell lot more of a car!
;^)
THe 2.4L was a bit loud in the Alero...not noisey, but throaty. However, the new 2.2 ecotech is a big difference...I wish they would review it now. As far as road noise, it is very quiet.
The Alero is indeed more of a sport sedan, that's why I bought it. I still don't get that "refined" code word. What does it mean?
As I read other posts, it seems that people have different meanings for "refined" (soft touch interior trim, softer suspension, uneventful interior design).
I agree that reviews should be more respective of price, as MFLETOU says. In fact, when I hear the word "family" sedan, that to me means "bang for buck".
I like the CR reviews because they do have the one of the top Automotive staffs in the world. Plus there testing facilities are second to none. And their reliability report based on over 500,000 surveys is the best in the business. Much much better then JD Powers which only gives a sampling of 50,000 plus and only takes into account the first 90 days. If they were rating computers or TV then the first 90 days is pertinent but we are talknig about a car that most people keep at least 4-5 years. Therefore long term reliability is much more important then the initial quality.
The one thing I don't lie about CR is they are too practical in their reviews. They are starting to change but they do concentrate on some things that I don't find that important. But I only use it as guide just like all the other car magazine reviews and internet sites. If we strictly listened to CR we would all buy foreign cars. But I do think they keep the American car companies on their toes.
many of you mentioned why more cars were not included in the comparison of V6 family cars. The Malibu LS (top of the line) goes for $20k. How do you compare that to the top of the line Passat and Camry which goes for $29k? You can't. Same goes for the Alero, Saturn LS, Mitsubishi Galant, etc. This is why, IMO, there is now a two tier family sedan segment. There is a difference of $5000 between some of these cars. If you spent even $2000 extra into each Alero V6, it would blow away the Acord and Camry. Instead Olds wants oyu to buy the Intrigue for that price. The Alero is a tremendous value right now even with out the rebates. It's jsut a shame GM's marketing department has no clue how to market their line of cars. Take a look at Saturn.
evandro: V6 passat - Cheap interior, less roomy then the Accord and Camry...Huh???? Are you sure you weren't looking at the Jetta? They do look the same. The one I test drove was top notch.
My feet are falling asleep from standing on the soap box for so long. i will now step down and allow evandro, jpelder and dindak to respond.