Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
the VW Lupo is not a hybrid. Instead, it's a Diesel-powered super-sub-compact car.
Yes. Exactly. The Lupo is the beginning of high-efficiency conventional vehicles that take advantage of some of the lessons learned from hybrids. For example, I have an engine of 3.4L displacement in my car. Do all cylinders have to be receiving fuel during prolonged stops? Do any?
Bye for now,
Rick D.
Anyways consider, however, where basic technology is now compared to then:
(1) a great many cars now have control of the ignition and fuel-injection on each cylinder
(2) in the early to mid-80's, a 25Mhz 286 was an incredibly fast processor. These days, I can get a 900Mhz Athlon for U.S.$80
I'm aware of GM's attempt to resuscitate this idea in their big trucks, and it'll be interesting to see how well they do. GM, for all its faults, HAS been a driving force of bringing new, practical, (i.e. not necessarily DOHC) features to the large scale market.
Bye for now,
Rick D.
For the 1st oil change, I didn't wait for the computer to tell me so, and had it changed at 3000mls. I figured that the computer might malfunction and I didn't want to take chances right after breaking the engine in, when the engine oil and filter get dirtier.
After that, however, I followed the computer's advice. Depending on the weather and on my seasonal driving mood
:^)
, it would advise changes between 5000 and 7000mls.I plan to purchase (need) this alero in January. I'm curious when the $2000 rebate may kick in. The current $1000 rebate is supposed to expire 1/15/02. I seem to remember a $2000 rebate for all of 2001 models during the 2001 calendar year. Anybody here buy an alero early this year that got the $2000 rebate. I'd gladly wait a few weeks to get an additional $1000 dollars!
I'm happy with this, given the power and pep this car has.
And it sure is peppy!
;^)
I have taken BOTH cars in to the dealer. In one case they kept the car for four days, replaced a fuel injector. The rattle is still there. In the other car they just said they couldn't hear it an closed the case.
Needless to say, I have little faith in car dealer service departments. But since BOTH of my cars have this problem, it would seem that there may be others with the same problem.
I can't find any TSB summary that seems to address the problem, and a search out here hasn't revealed anything.
Is anybody else experiencing this with their Alero?
Thanks. Jeff.
I think that it happened at about the same mileage, but after the service it never happened again.
We bought a 2000 Alero in August and have been enjoying it ever since. No problems at all till yesterday. I went out to start the car. When I tried to put it in drive, I noticed I couldn't push in the button on the gear shift handle. I released the handle, and the button fell off. (I guess I don't know my own strength.)
Since I couldn't seem to move the gear shift, I thought the car wasn't driveable, so I called Roadside Assistance. The tow truck was there within minutes. The driver tried the handle and found that if he reinserted the plastic button and pressed it just so, he could get it to shift.
So, I was able to drive it to the local GM service center. (The dealership where we bought the car is about an hour's drive away.) Everyone who looked at it said, "Well, *that's* weird." One of the service reps said something about "plastic stress," or some such thing. Odd that a car this new would have a piece like that just fall off, eh? Anyway, they seemed to think that they have to replace the entire assembly, not just the button. So, they've ordered the part. In the meantime, we can drive the car; it just takes a bit of doing.
The car is still under warranty, so I assume this will be covered. But, as they say, assume nothing. I'll keep you posted.
2) 5129 put the car in park, turned A/C off and the car cut off/killed. Keyless remote would not lock/unlock doors or trunk. Still hearing noise. Dealer stated computer needed to be reprogrammed, but "could not duplicate consumers concern"
3) At about 5300 miles car is idling extremely high you would think I am drag racing. Still hearing noise. Dealership changes throttlebody. Again, did not hear noise.
4)One week later still having same problem. Dealership adjust a sensor and advises that there is a problem but they do not know how to fix. The service tech advised that my car's computer info was downloaded onto a disk and sent to GM Engineers to identify the problem and offer a possible solution. Still did not hear the noise.
5) The plastic push knob for the shift handle breaks off leaving me stranded in a parking lot for 45min. Dealership superglues.
6) Idling is beginning to get worse and the noise from under the car is occuring on a more frequent basis. Dealership could not duplicate concern Still no word from GM(1 month has passed)
7) Begin to hear noise as on incline on bridge. Dealership finally hears noise(and it only took them 3000 miles after the initial complaint. Change the belt tensioners. After driving the car for 15 minutes the noise reappears.
8) Dealership in all of their wisdom finally decided to check the A/C system(remember when I first told them of the problem, I explained that I only hear the noise when the A/C is on). The problem bad A/C compressor. Change compressor
9) After three weeks hear a knocking noise under car when initially start car. Car still idles(and now three and half months has passed and still no word from GM Engineers.
I have made several complaints to the Consumer Relations Dept. but they are of no help. I had to contact the BBB Autoline because the dealership was trying to feed me the "car salesman b.s.. I have decided on arbitration. For replacement vehicle. Just wondering if anyone else is or have experienced these problems. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Arbitration is scheduled in two weeks. Thanks
Very Kindly,
The World Iz Myn
But I would stay away from leather with kids. In fact the best interior for kids is the all vinyl with 1 piece plastic floor that is found on GM taxis. That way you can just hose out the car! Just kidding.
But kids are rough with the irks, vomitting, explosive diareah. Then you will find lollipops, gum, cookies, chocolate, etc stuck to the seats. The worst is the red slushy poured on the seat (not just a little bit, the whole thing). I didn't mean to alarm you, all parents have gone through this. You will survive and so will the car. Best wishes.
Here is the kicker, it is a DEMO!! It has 5900 miles on it, which seems like alot. The dealer said he could let it go for invoice. He didn't say what invoice is, but Edmunds lists it at $19259.
This seems a little pricey. KBB.com gives a used 2001 a retail value of $16345. I know that technically this is a new car, but it is really used to me. So what would be a fair offer?
I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know if there any dings or what-not. I'm going to try to test drive it tonight, since I haven't even driven one yet. Atleast then I'll know if I should keep looking.
Any opinions, should I pass on this and keep trying to find 'new' 2001 5-sp? Or, just grab a 2002?
Thanks!
On another bulletin board, I did encounter someone who said that occasionally her transmission slips. The first time this happened, it was weird; as I recall, she said that while her car was in park, her speedometer climbed to 180 mph. She has a 1999 model, and apparently has had a lot of trouble with hers. She says the tape deck has never worked, and she's been having the same problem with her brakes that others have described here; when she touches the pedal, it starts throbbing, as if the ABS is constantly engaged. I have a feeling she's got the same faulty (warped) rotors that others have talked about, but it sounds like she's getting the runaround from her dealership. I suggested that she check this bulletin board and see what others were saying, and also to post about her experiences to see if anyone had any suggestions, but I don't know if she ever did.
In response to evandro: Could you explain a little more about the noise you had? It sounds very much like mine.
In response to cnew: I am really sorry about the lemon you got. And when dealerships "appear" to take a lazy attitude, it makes it worse. Could you also explain a little more about the noise you heard only when your A/C was turned on?
It sounds like both evandro and cnew had similar problems, with similar solutions - the compressor. If you both don't mind, could you explain a little more about the noise. What did it sound like, etc.
Thanks.
At first, I thought it was an engine mount going bad, but it turned out to be the AC compressor, according to the dealer. Once it was replaced, the noise was gone and never came back again.
HTH
If you are in no rush, see if you can get a dealer to order a 5spd equipped exactly the way you want. E-mail the local dealers and see what deals you can strike up. I've got two dealers in CT that would likely give you a great deal...
Sil
Give it a try and good luck!
;^)
I do have time to look. I currently have an Xterra with about 3 yrs left on the loan. The only reason I am looking at new cars is because of the great financing offers. The 2002 Alero looks good and 0.9% for 48mos. is pretty inviting. Then I saw that the 2001s had 0% for 60mos! Even better!!
I found this car through the Buy Power website, so I was pretty disappointed when the dealer said it was a demo. I don't think they should list it as a new car, but they do. Anyway, I emailed him yesterday to see if he had any other 2001 5-spds or if he could find one. I haven't heard back yet, though.
BTW, I am no stranger to buying a car on the web, that's how I got my X back in Jan '00. I got it through carorder.com at less than invoice. They had to kick in about $1300 to the dealer. The week after I got mine, they raised the price about $2000! Easiest and best car buying experience I've ever had, too bad they are out of business now.
I went to carsdirect.com and they quoted invoice for 2002 GL2 with the options I want. $18622, I think.
I might hold off for now and wait and see if they offer 0%/60mos on the 2002 after Jan. What do you think the odds are of that?
Very Kindly,
The World Iz Myn
jlc011 : Probably not much chance on the 0.0% for January. I'm sure rates will still be good then though. Economy is not getting any better yet.
Good luck.
Otherwise, Alero (with V-6) is a better car. More fun to drive. Especially on highway.
reliable car that could hold 2 car seats.
Our eyes were set on the Alero. Mainly because of the 5yr/60 mi warranty, Olds rebate and special financing. We test drove the Alero GL 1 which has a ton of features, nice interior, etc. Actually we test drove it 3 times and it was the 3rd time that made me realize some of it's shortcomings.
This is when we re-visited why a new car (see above). We put our daughter in the back seat in her car seat and she was literally looking up at the roof of the car. The back seat of the Alero slopes downward towards the trunk. We would have never noticed that without putting the car seat in the back. this is something you won't notice not unless someone sits in the back while you are test driving. Also the 4 cylinder engine, while strong and easy on the gas, is quite noisy. They are replacing this engine with the Saturn 2.2 for 2002. I hear the 2.2 is quieter and just as strong. The crash ratings for the Alero are not very good esp. the side impact. This is something Olds will have to address even if they do plan to kill the Alero in 2004.
After we test drove the Alero, we test drove the Malibu LS (it was parked the next aisle over). Same price, bigger interior, better rear seats, V6 engine, better site lines out of the rear window, etc. The Malibu has better highway ride but the Alero is more fun to drive. But with one child and the 2nd on the way, fun takes a back seat to practical.
I'm not trying to get you to buy a Malibu. You have to purchase what is best for you and your family and the Alero is a nice car. Reliability with the Alero and Malibu are about the same. Most American cars in this class have about the same reliability, average. You may have trouble with warped rotors, a bad seal on the window, a rattle here and there, etc. Or you may have Nothing go wrong at all. We have 6000 miles on our Malibu an it has been completely trouble free. And you will find similar stories with the Alero.
The hit or miss reliability of the American cars is why the Accord and Camry have done so well. This segment is there bread and butter so they are mindful of the little things that the American cars let slide by. The American car makers rather spend their money on the high profit trucks and SUVs. If Chrylser spent half of the advertising money on Sebring as they do the Ram truck, they would have a monster seller on their hands. Same with the Olds and Saturn division for GM. But instead you have these beautiful cars is sitting on dealers lots by the thousands.
In a concise answer to your question about the Alero, yes it is a good family car but when you do the test drive, do a complete test drive. If you plan to travel with 2 or 3 people in the car, take them along for the test drive to see how it feels loaded. The last thing you want to do is get the car home and find the car doesn't fit your needs. Because the dealer will not give you your money back.
good luck car shopping. let me know if you have any questions.
The engine is buzzy at revs and you will need to keep your foot in it to keep it moving. The car rolled so much on the ramps that I looked underneath to see if there were anti-roll bars. There were but they might as well have not been there. Then the tires. Firestone Affinity, 60 series? They handled worse than 80 series tires back in the 1980s.
The interior was down right bland. No character at all, except 'economy'. The plus is that you can get them for $15G.