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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  RUN THE OTHER WAY!!!!!! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By chocokitty - December 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 99 gl3 9/29/2002. 1st in shop 10/02/2002. In 3 mon. Ive had it theyve replaced: fuel pump&filter,#2coils,battery,+ cable,plug wires,reprogrammed pcm,replaced all window trim,cowl&door vapor shield,dome light,seat belt retractor,window reg.,rear door handle,driver mirror.Car still has problems! Sometimes wont start. Been in shop at least 10 times for that alone. They say theyre in Dark about it. Warranty runs out TODAY! Found out today that before I bought car previous owner had problems too. Car not starting, battery no good,engine leaking oil from front of it,lower intake gasket leaking,rotor problem,etc.Too much to list!

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  Sleeper Olds - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By cybernco - November 2 - 2:00 am

  The V-6 has plenty of torque and just begs to be wound out to the redline. But, the 170 HP peaks at 4800 RPM. The same engine in a Chevy Ventura Van is 185 HP at 5200 RPM. Its too bad it doesnt come in a 5-speed transmission though. The wide tires give the car a very firm feel. But the car has very soft suspension and a lot of sway in the corners. Im sure this keeps the less experianced drivers from loosing it in the corners. The brakes are extremely inadequate. Performance brake pads are a manditory minimum upgrade. Overall this is a very fun car to drive though. Its almost a great sports car.

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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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  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

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  Best and Worst of Both Worlds - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Olds5 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  The car is a bit of a heart-breaker. Its a beautiful car both inside and out. It does handle well and got though the past winter (2002-2003)ok. The engine is the albatross around this cars neck. A manifold seal has failed twice causing damage to the engine.The car is showing the same symptoms at this writing. Also, the power windows have gone off track at least once. If I had to to it again, This would not be the car I would choose.

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  First Olds Buyer - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Mick27 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Nice car, the V-6 has good power. I have taken several long trips in this car and its gets very good gas milage. Air conditioner is a little weak. The only problem that developed in 30,000 miles was a slight anti freeze leak which was a big job but was covered under the new car warrenty.

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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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  1999 Alero 4 door / 4 cyl GL - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JCD - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car longer than any other vehicle Ive owned, and still love it. Yes, thereve been issues w/the front rotors but was handled under warranty and havent had the brakes touched in over 20k miles. And the blower motor resistor has been replaced twice (1 under warranty, the other out of pocket). The cup holders arent the best, but hey this isnt a luxury car either. I wont be looking to replace this vehicle for another 3 years, and wished the Olds Alero would still be around then.

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  nice car but bad breaks and wheels - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By sonya - April 10 - 2:00 am

  had the car for 2 1/2 yrs constantly having troubles with breaks, just replaced last spring now we have to do again, cost $320 per side for new wheel barrings,ita nice handling car, but as i said seems to have a lot of front end problems.