Overview & Reviews

Following a string of truly forgettable small-car efforts in the 1980s and '90s, Oldsmobile celebrated its centennial anniversary by introducing the all-new Alero to compete with the popular and well-established import competition of the day. While it failed to truly capture the hearts and minds of consumers or chalk up many conquest sales, Olds' small car story ended on an upbeat note with a stylish and decently designed effort.

Available as a sedan or coupe, the Oldsmobile Alero was considered by most to be a sporty-looking car thanks to its bulging wheelwells, sleek greenhouse, fluted side panels and large jewellike taillights. The front-drive Alero was also relatively entertaining to drive. Buyers could choose four-cylinder or V6 power. Initially, the Alero came with an automatic transmission only, but a five-speed manual eventually made an appearance.

Handling was nicely balanced and braking was strong. Inside, an artfully designed two-tone dash faced comfortable front seats that were firm and supportive. All controls were easy to see and use, with large knobs and buttons. Unfortunately, all-around refinement didn't match that of the leading imports.

The phase-out of the Oldsmobile brand spelled the end for the Alero. For a shopper interested in an affordable used coupe or sedan from the early 2000s, the Oldsmobile Alero should do nicely as long as one is aware of the car's faults and lame-duck heritage. Service can be handled at select GM dealerships -- you might want to focus on Pontiac, as the Alero was mechanically similar to the Grand Am.

Most Recent Oldsmobile Alero

The Oldsmobile Alero debuted in 1999 as a replacement for the slow-selling Achieva. Coupe and sedan body styles were offered, as were three main trim levels: entry-level GX, midgrade GL and top-line GLS. GX and GL models came standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that made 150 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque. Optional on GL and standard on GLS was a 3.4-liter V6 that made 170 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. The only transmission choice at the time was a four-speed automatic.

Incremental improvements saw it through the next several years. A year after the car's debut, Olds offered a sport-tuned suspension package for the GL. For 2001, an optional five-speed manual transmission became available on four-cylinder models, and the car's antilock braking system was updated. If you're looking at four-cylinder Aleros, take note that for 2002 Oldsmobile replaced the 2.4-liter engine with a quieter and more fuel-efficient 2.2-liter engine. It made 140 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque.

Inside, we found the Oldsmobile Alero offered a user-friendly control layout and seats that were generally comfortable -- though materials quality throughout was a step or two behind that of competing imports; even the leather in the GLS looked and felt too much like vinyl. For those with lots to carry, though, both the coupe and sedan offered a generous 14.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity.

Although neither engine was particularly quiet, the four-cylinder provided adequate power in most situations while the V6 delivered spirited performance. The Alero's suspension tuning was firm and allowed some fun around twists and turns, yet ride quality remained smooth enough to make the Olds suitable for weekday commuting. The steering offered little in the way of road feel, however, and the brakes were strong but could be difficult to modulate due to an overly stiff pedal.

User Reviews:

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  Nice Ride! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Temperob - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Well I just traded in my 98 Ford Contour Sport on a used 03 Alero. I was very happy with the Ford but this GM is making me smile every time I drive it. The brakes are a bit numb but they work like a champ, and the steering is a little vague but when driven hard this car really comes to life. It has a nice ride quality and a very pleasing exhaust note. So pretty much you can tool around down with the family or drive thought the canyon roads with confidence, good blend of Sport and Economy.

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  rotors - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Rebecca71500 - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I keep reading about bad rotors. I brought my car in to have the windshield wipers replaced several months after I bought it. (I had to replace the other side last month) I was told that the rotors needed to be replaced. It wasnt a recall, but if the cars were brought in for other reasons they automatically replaced them. I have also had to take my car back several times because it was leaking oil.

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  Not bad for a company car - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Keelay - August 21 - 10:00 am

  The Alero GX sedan is a pretty decent company car. It has adequate acceleration with the 4-cyl engine, and nice handling. The ride is okay, although it can be jittery on smooth roads. The brakes are just marginal, and they seem to need a lot of pressure to get the car to stop. The GX model does have a lot of features for the money, too, and the standard stereo, cruise control, and automatic headlights are nice. The workmanship is *definitely* not up to Japanese standards, though. Its a nice enough car, but there are nicer ones. I wouldnt buy this car, but as a free car, its not bad.

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  .....at least its pretty inexpensive! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JennO. - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Going from always having driven Hondas...this was a rude awakening! The only GM product I would consider in the future would be a truck/suv. The Alero is zippy and pretty fun to drive, but not the highest performing vehicle by any means....I like the V6 and would have been very unhappy I feel with the 4-cyl. I just hope I can sell it after hearing the crash test results!!!

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  LEMON CAR - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By bethany - August 18 - 10:00 am

  3.4L v6. 03/00 75633mls, leather interior, 11,000 from a dealership the biggest mistake i made. Nice looking car, but the quality sucks! Lets see the cruise control doesnt work, half the time my blinker lights go out, upholstry on the dashboard is peeling, something wrong with the gas gauge, passenger side window dropped down, the cd player goes out sometimes, coolant leaks, passenger side door is hard to open, twice the engine had to be fixed, sometimes the engine doest turn over, no matter how much or how many time you refill the coolant the coolant light doesnt go off. i think because of the coolant problem the engine makes noises.

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  big mistake - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By shelby - August 16 - 3:56 am

  I have had this car for only 3 or so years and have already had to change the fuel pump (2x) brake pads (4x) power window regualutor (2x) and already have to do that again! Ive already had alot of problems w/ the security system which causes it not to start and i have to take it in and get the whole system reset. power steering pump went out, wheel bearing needs to be fixed. my service engine light, anti-lock brake light and change oil light are always on. this car has costed me alot of time, inconvenience and money.

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  So far a decent car, but the brakes - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By pease_d - August 12 - 10:00 am

  Have had this car since Sept. 01 benn a guud car exceept fo rthe ABS the light wil just come on at random and all the dealer says it is just a sensor that got a rock in it. th only other complaint I have with this car is do not buy it with a sunroof if you are over 59" because you will not fit in it as I have found out after my growing years.

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  Suprised its not a Honda! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By R W - August 7 - 11:13 pm

  Bought it with 20,000 miles. I owned 3 Hondas before this one and I didnt enjoy the reliability. Ive only replaced an alternator (93,000 miles) and a fuel pump (91,000 due to a very bad tank of gas). Thats it outside of regular oil changes, brakes, and tires. This is the best money Ive ever spent on any car. It still runs like it is brand new. For a 4 cyliner it is quite peppy, more than the Honda Civic that was $2K more than the Alero at that time Now, its 2007 and I cant find Aleros anymore? Thats OK. Mine runs fine. Ill keep driving it. GM should re-open the Olds Alero line. This is the best 4-cylinder car for the money GM has made!

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  Perhaps this Car Could have Saved Oldsmobile - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By R.E. Saif - August 5 - 2:56 pm

  I bought my 99 Oldsmobile Alero GLS in Oct. 2002 as a replacment for my 93 Mercury Tracer LTS. It was a zippy little car, but I wanted something bigger. The car was listed below KBB, fully loaded and was too good to pass up with 82,000 miles on the clock. I now have over 142,000 miles on it and have gotten by with few problems. The motor is strong and pulls hard for being "outdated". The only repairs I have done have been the intake gaskets, belt tensioner, alternator and MAF sensor. I regularly take the car to Ohio and WV and it has never let me down. I am now on the hunt for another Alero with fewer miles to replace it. I love the car, so when that time comes, it will be extremely painful to part with.

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  99 Olds Alero 4 door 4cyl - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Bob - August 3 - 5:40 am

  I bought the car when I was 17 and beat it to poo. In the three years I owned it I put on 77,000 miles on top of the 45,000. I only had a few problems. It started without the key, gas gauge stopped working along with overflow every time I filled up, tranny slipped when I stomped on the gas. I never put any money into it, I traded it in for $500