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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  Baracuda96 - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By BAracuda96 - September 21 - 10:00 am

  Very nice, but bad brakes... :( so far, so good. :) Very impressed with acceleration and torque power.

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  Had to give up on it - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By groveland - September 16 - 2:00 am

  I loved this vehicle for the first 40k miles. Now I have to trade it in (and be upside down on the loan).In the last 2 months the wheel bearings/entire hub assembly replaced 3xs! My ABS AND ANTI LOCK light are on constantly,rear defroster doesnt work, driver side window regulator broken, 3 out of 6 heater speeds broken, intake manifold leak(very costly repair). I have taken very good care of this vehicle but I can not continue to make payments and pay all these costly repairs. I have read similiar problems on line w/ other Alero owners. Brakes,wheel bearings, ABS!!! Watch out- $250 per side.

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  Decent value. - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By alerodriver - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Bought in 2000... no problems after they recalled the brakes in 02 (they had to replace pads twice). Trunk a little small but no other problems. Great commuter. I replaced the fuel filter at 60k and oil changes is all. I added an aftermarked spoiler (the same one that is on the 6 cyl) to my base model for 300$, improves the looks greatly. Would buy again in the same situation.

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  Could be better - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alice - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Not a good idea to purchase one of these the resale value went down 8,000 from Jan to now. That is not saying anything good for this car.

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  02 GLS - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ghelwig - August 28 - 2:00 am

  Very good performance out of a 87 octane engine. Transmission shifts very smoothly. Nice seats both front and back. Rather large trunk for a midsize car.

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  Trash Heap - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Wildplrbear - August 5 - 12:36 pm

  I have owned this car for 6 years and treated it like an old man would. It did not love me back, it constantly bit the hand that feed it. The car is horribly constructed. It has built in flaws that are unfixable and dangerous. It completely broke down with 112000 miles. By break down, I mean it gave up on life. I do not believe it is even ok to sell this car to someone. I plan on taking it to a junk yard and asking them to destroy it. Did not start 15% of the time because of security system issues, new bearings every 15K miles, windows that stop working every winter, bad head gaskets, bad intake gaskets, new breaks every 20K miles, shorting wires on a semiannual basis.

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  I HATE THIS CAR - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ashley Dawn - August 4 - 2:00 am

  Since I have bought this car I have spent over $6,000 in repairs. In fact, right now Im having my engine rebuilt. I thought this was a low maintenance car. Sell yours while you can.

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  GREAT CAR!!!! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Milk - July 28 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY CAR!!!

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  Good car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By feet2004 - July 26 - 9:50 pm

  I really like the Alero - I have had some problems with the interior lining on the doors, radiator/coolant system, and the power windows falling into the doors (3 of the 4) - but otherwise, the car has been great. I just took a job which I will be commuting over 80 mi per day, so I will be needing to trade in the alero for a car with a little better gas mileage. If my commute were shorter, I would probably drive this car for a few more years at least.

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  Tough to trade in - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Greg - July 24 - 3:13 pm

  I bought my Alero new and have had no problems with it at all. Anything that did go wrong was covered under warranty. Car has been so reliable that now 6 years into it, Im having a hard time letting it go to trade in. I think Im going to keep it. Handles great (I loaded the options when I ordered it). Only complaint is the V6 is a gas hog but makes up for it in the handling and power dept. Too bad Olds closed down.