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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  Problems - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Elly - February 25 - 5:53 pm

  I had to replace the intake. It was covered under warranty. Then my rear defroster broke. It would cost me $100 because it was not covered under warranty. Now five years later my valves need to be replaced in the engine. What a joke. No warning. It started cutting out one day. Also last year 2008, I had to replace the wheel barrings in it.

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  WORST CAR EVER! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Katy - February 21 - 10:10 pm

  My 2000 Alero has been a nightmare! Six months after buying it I had to have the brakes replaced (two more times since then). The dash board and door upholstery is peeling up, Ive had to have three of the motors replaced in my power windows ($200 per window), the alternator has been replaced twice, and have had numerous electrical problems. This is the worst car I have ever had!

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  pass on it - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jim williams - February 18 - 10:00 am

  Numerous problems with wheel bearings, brakes, wheel sensors, and turn signal switches. In the shop every week. True story-went to trade it at a local GM dealer. He said, "no offense but I cant take it on trade, those things are junk."

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  OK, I guess - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Scott - January 27 - 9:26 pm

  When I bought this I did not know the resale value was going to plummet into the ground, so its a good thing its a fairly dependable car. It gets decent mileage, but I hate the interior design, specifically the center console. Its as if it were an oversight that only one person would have anything to drink in the front, and the rear cupholder is cheap and keeps pulling out of its sockets. However, it has decent "zip" and has ample trunk room.

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  great potential, but falls short - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ned Flanders - January 11 - 12:43 pm

  Very high feature content at a great price. I bought a left over 99 GX in 2000. I have 32K miles on it and the only problem were warped rotors that were replaced under warranty. Bottom line, for what I needed; a new, stylish, cheap commuter car that I will likely run into the ground its perfect. A fully loaded model would not be a good value.

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  Great vehicle! - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jtrujillo86 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased this car after owning a 1997 Chevrolet Malibu for 2 years (which was hunk of junk by the way). I have the GL1 with the 3.4 liter V6 engine. It is sooooo responsive and compliant, its amazing! The vehicle knows exactly when to downshift and the shifts are smooth and fluid. The traction control is okay on the vehicle, but not nessecary, even in slick weather. There are, however, a few TINY rattles and/or vibrations on the interior. They dont bother me too much, but I plan to get them fixed before the warranty runs dry. The only thing I wish this car had was a spoiler.

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  alero - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By darla l pierce - January 3 - 10:00 am

  i drive 60 miles round trip to work five days a week and have never had any trouble except for a flat tire, its a great vehicle but i need to get another car because of the amout of miles i have put on it, i would recommend this car to anyone, it gets at least 30 miles to the gallon and rides great, i love this car and hate to think of getting a new one but i know that i need to. its just the right size for me (one passenger usually) but its also great for the family, there are 4 of us.

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  Less than thrilled - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By berniegir60 - December 8 - 11:23 pm

  Have had several problems - Have had to replace a couple of body bushings and @ less than 50K miles had to replace left front wheel bearing almost a year to the day later had to replace right front wheel bearing because of a bad sensor(would turn off ABS & traction control) nothing wrong with bearing, but cannot replace just the sensor. Only have 1 speed on the fan-high, so have to now replace the blower motor and with about 70K miles both rotors are warped and need replaced. The CD player does not always eject the CD properly. Turning radius is not good and city gas mileage is a little disappointing.

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  Look further - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By $ in toilet - December 7 - 2:13 pm

  I bought my 1999 2 door GL model used in 2002 because it was sporty, yet sophisticated. Since I have bought this car, the manifold gasket has had to be replaced twice (I am waiting for it to go out again this winter. This resulted in coolant leaking into the oil.) Also, the drivers side automatic window motor had to be replaced around 50k miles. I have had the front brakes and rotors replaced twice, the rear once. The trunk sometimes takes two tries to close, and it leaks. Brake pedal is too stiff. If you are looking at this car, I suggest to keep looking, or else buy an extened warranty. I bought one with the car, and I have used every penny of it!I am heading to the Volvo dealership next.

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  No More Olds - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By FootballMom - December 6 - 10:00 am

  The worst car I have ever owned. The brakes are a continual problem. The gear shift button has been replaced. The cruise control is broken. The rear door upholstery is peeling up. And last but not least, the dash board is peeling. The Olds dealer says it was caused by the sun and will cost $1200 to repair and my car is only worth $3500. GM Customer service says since my car has 90,000+ miles on it, they will not do anything about it. I told them my 94 Toyota Camry and my 97 Jeep Cherokee had no such problems and I will never purchase another GM product.