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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  1999 Alero - lemons - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By TDJ - September 27 - 10:00 am

  If you like to fix cars this is the car for you. I owned this car for 2.5 years and replaced the radiator, water pump, tie rod ends, battery, & rotors. On occasion the transmission didnt engage right away, this always made me nervous. The final straw was when the valves started to go. It made a loud tapping sound in the engine so I traded it in. Dont buy one of these lemons!

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  Do not buy this as a primary vehicle!! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alero buyer beware - September 15 - 2:00 am

  within 5k miles from 48k, the serpentine belt squeals, still does- new one-($40), water pump went out ($110), alternator out ($210), wheel bearing ($320), intake manifold- distributor shaft oring, front main seal, leak oil,($1100) oem goodyear tires noisy($600+), aux power outlet broken ($110), rear defrost doesnt work ($105), driver seat wont flip foward for rear seat access($200) and more minor. changed the trans fluid - no dipstick. how are you supposed to check fluid?? Resale is also horrible = still paying payments (3 1/2 years left) as well as having to pay for major repairs. thats $2700 in repairs for a 3 1/2 yr old car.

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  Awesome Car - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Harold Bernard - September 15 - 2:00 am

  My Alreo is my dream car. It is alot fun to drive and be seen in.

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  Dependable - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By KYLady - August 29 - 12:30 am

  I recieved my Alero after my mother got a new car, and to date I have put 210,000 miles on the car and it is still running great.

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  I love my car, but....... - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tbone420 - August 26 - 10:03 am

  Very fun to drive and gets good mileage, but have had annoying probs. Window on driver side fell in door, rotors and brakes go once a year, power lock thing on driver door fell in, I could go on but Ill spare ya. Overall, it is a good vehicle. Cheaply made, but good in the snow and good on the gas.

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  Alero Rocks! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Rickarama - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Handles well, looks good in the driveway. What more can you ask for in car in this class?

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  Great Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By bquintan2000 - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I have owned the Alero GLS for the past 3 years and have been very pleased with the car. Like everyone else, my rotors went bad and had to be turned. However, that did not occur until 43,000 miles. The car handles great at high and slow speeds. Great interior, but will recommend having leather as oppose to the cheap cloth seats. I have never had to take my Alero to the shop since I purchased it 3 years ago. My Alero was supped up by the dealer and everybody mistakes it for a Mustang. Depreciation is poor. Did not retain its value, very disappointed!

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  Oldsmobile NEEDS to Replace every Alero - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Becky - August 14 - 3:33 am

  I bought my vehicle in June of 2002, thus far I have replaced brakes, rotors, intake gasket, waterpump, fuel filter, power steering pump, and now my transmission is slipping, have any of you realized that there is n o way to check the transmission fluid on your own? Not to mention the tires I have had to replace. The dashboard is raised due to sun damage. It appears to me that a bunch of monkeys could have done better when they decided to build this car. I had contacted Oldsmobile many times and they seem quite content that a bunch of fools like us made them rich. The car is paid for, but the repair bills are adding up. I will NEVER buy AMerican Made Again!!!!!!!

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  2002 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 4-dr 3.4 V6 - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By grwulff - August 11 - 11:03 am

  got it for cheep so i wasnt expecting much. very smooth. excellent handling for its weight. the engine technology is lacking though. the 3.4L V6 has only one intake and one exhaust valve so performance and fuel economy are not the greatest for the engine size. it is also a cast iron block in stead of an Aluminum one which increases weight and reduces power. it also shifts rather high for my taste, also reducing fuel economy. i would love this car much more if it came with a manual transmission.

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  Constant Repairs - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Lynn M. - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Entire dashboard had to be replaced at 36K miles ($693); vinyl peeling off. Replaced the cruise ctrl switch at 37K miles ($151). Replaced the brakes & rotors at 41K miles ($251). Car stereo system at 45K miles ($400). New motor for pwr window at 50K miles ($500). Replaced water pump at 53K miles ($695). Replaced 2 more power window motors at 58K miles ($1K). Love the way the car drives & gas mileage, but repairs are more than any car I have ever owned. A person who takes as good of a car as I do shouldnt be having all of these problems.