Overview & Reviews

Oldsmobile has dropped the slow-selling Achieva in favor of this new clean-sheet design patterned after the successful Intrigue midsize sedan. Available in both two- and four-door configurations with three well-equipped trim levels, the Alero represents a quantum leap forward over previous small Olds models.

• Sleek styling. Sprightly performance and handling. Ergonomically designed interior. Well-equipped standard model.

• Hint of cheapness to interior bits. Lame front passenger cupholder. Unrefined engine noise intrudes upon passenger compartment. Ugly cloth fabric pattern on GX and GL.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 108.00

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  What a disappointment - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Gregor1022 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought a 1999 Alero GL2 with 28,000 miles on it in early 2002. Weve had it for 1.5 years and have had the following done to it: -Head gasket replaced/repaired ($500) -Ventilation system actuator and resistor replaced ($800) -Left front CV joint repaired ($400) -Right passenger side power window motor replaced ($200) -Front rotors/pads replaced ($300) We have paid over $2,200 in repairs. This is the worst peice of crap either of us have ever owned. The dealership told us "thats what you get for buying a bottom of the line car." Well, after owning this car and being told that - I will NEVER buy another GM car.

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  Owner - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By A - November 26 - 3:46 pm

  My 1999 Oldsmobile Alero has 102,000 miles and the motor is gone. I had to replace the wheel barings 2 times in the 4 years that Ive had it. The power windows not very reliable and are very expensive to fix. Basicly, every 6 months there was something wrong with it. I fell in love with the car the first time I saw it. Its very fun to drive.

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  Not bad for a cheap american car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By manicstoic - November 20 - 2:00 am

  Have owned an Alero for three years and 45,000 miles. Cons: cramped, questionable quality on interior design -- have had a couple of things break on me. Pros -- no repairs, knock on wood. Has been reliable, good gas mileage, pretty good acceleration for a 4 cyl -- better than our 2001 Altima. Actually, more fun to drive than the Altima, too.

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  Sexxy car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Supakrupa - May 10 - 10:00 am

  this car has good looks, and is a fun car to drive.The preformance from the base 4 cylender is above average but not quite a super star. Handles the road well, engine noise is a little louder than expected.

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  99 Alero - beware! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By bkonyu - April 30 - 2:16 pm

  This car has had no end of problems at least for us - restarting issues, parts of the car coming off in my hand, constant replacement of major parts. It is very unreliable. This was the first model year, but come on. On the plus side, it does have good power - but the transmission seems to hamper its full utilization at times. It also is very comfortable. On the other hand we have a 99 Toyota Tercel that is small and wussy, but bullet proof! As a Cadillac mechanic friend once told me - dont buy North American vehicles.

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  Aleros SUCK! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alero Hater - December 3 - 10:00 am

  In the past 2 years we have replaced the parts the hold the windows up (both windows fell inside the doors, brakes, tires, water pump, altenator, belt (we had to lift the engine out to put it on), and that doesnt include everything is wrong with the car. I have my antilock brake/trac light go off once a week, my fan only works on the 3rd and 4th setting, and my cruise control button doesnt work. This car has been a pain value has depreciated, its ridiculous! DONT BUY THIS CAR! GET RID OF IT, if you own one.

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  Good deal if you find one - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Dan - July 5 - 6:16 pm

  I bought the car right after Olds stopped making them, so I actually bought the car for about 3K less than it would have been worth had Olds not tanked, which was fine in my eyes. With a huge available array of mechanicals left over from both the Alero and Grand Am (sister vehicle) theres no need to worry about service in the future.

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  Save your pennies and buy something else - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By muldoon - December 3 - 8:20 pm

  This vehicle has to be a big joke. Yes the acceleration is somewhat spirited. However, it is not that great. My sisters 4-cylinder Galant keeps up with its V6. Plus it has 98,000 miles and no problems. My Alero on the other hand has been in the shop 5 times. Right now at 85,000 the transmission is starting to slip and the air conditioning blower switch and a/c level selector dont work right. This car is trash! Take my advice and buy foriegn.

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  This Car is a Piece of Junk - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By MikenStephIndy - May 2 - 10:00 am

  All of the windows have fallen out of their power window track at least once. The battery leaked at 30K miles. The Low Trac light always comes on when backing up. The hazard light switch disappeared into the dashboard. The doors sometimes fail to unlock with the key fob. The plastic interor pieces are multi-colored and snapping or breaking off. Im praying that it will hold together long enough for me to trade it in on a Nissan Altima (V6). In the past year it has began to consume oil and anti-freeze. And, the power steering pump is slowly leaking which means, just like all the other GM cars Ive had, the rack will go out at 80K.

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  Good American Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By msarif - August 30 - 4:40 pm

  I have a GL3 sedan. I was surprisingly pleased with the engine and transmission performance of this car. I have almost 40K miles and encountered several problems. Front brake pads/rotors were replaced 3 times; engine coolant leaked 3 times; emergency brake doesnt engage; fan didnt work on low settings; glove compartment light mechanism broke; radio antenna came lose; sensors freeze during cold; power window motors are too weak in frozen weather. This car fish-tails too easily in emergency maneuvers and cornering. The resale value is horrible.