1999 Oldsmobile Alero

Summary:

Unaffordably fast and sporty.

Faults:

Replace rotors and brake pads at 12,000 miles.

Replace rotors and brake pads at 25,000 miles.

Dealership in Minnesota cut rotors and replaced brake pads (non warranty parts - while I am still under warranty) at 35,000 miles. Dealership absolutely refused to replace rotors - even though I indicated the car would be driving to Florida.

Upon entering the state of Florida - BIG grinding noise when brakes are applied! Dealership in Florida replaced rotors and brake pads (warranty parts) at 37,000 miles (warranty expired by now - however Florida dealership said rotors had been cut beyond manufacturers specs and did not charge - also put in writing - and stated that it was the worst work they had ever seen).

Minnesota dealership says (after my screaming tirade) that they will extend warranty to 60,000 miles.

Driver's side power windows failure at 47,000 miles. - Try to use extended warranty - however (stupid me!) no warranty extension was ever made. $350.00 out of pocket expense.

Replace water pump at 66,000 miles. (just over a month ago).

Waiting today for AAA to tow car - overheating again - water pouring out of vehicle -- I can hope it's the thermostat!!! :)

AND --- AND --- the brakes are making that old familiar sound -- AGAIN!

CD player refuses to eject Cd's when it feels like it!!

Passenger side speaker went out over a year ago - but cuts in sometimes - when it feels like it!

General Comments:

Speaker and CD player aside - these problems should not be occurring repeatedly. Oldsmobile should be ashamed of themselves.

I'm headed to the site for class action lawsuits and bad business bureau to see if this is a case. I encourage all those who have had problems to report them to every website they can find. I am sure that together we can make some waves. My name is Tammy and my email is tlc4247@earthlink.net - if you want web addresses to lodge further complaints I will do my best to provide you with a link.

I like the get up and go of my car.

I like the look and handling.

I hate pouring money down a dark hole!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th July, 2004

1999 Oldsmobile Alero GL 3.4 V6

Summary:

The best car for the money

Faults:

My brakes are starting to go bad.

I was told when I bought it that there were minor leaks in the main seal, but so far I have seen none.

General Comments:

I love my Olds Alero. It is a beautiful car. I totally disagree with all the people who are talking badly about the Alero. I think it is very comfortable and pretty quick too. I have brought my car up to the speedway and won quite a few races. It is the best car you can get for your money. It is fairly cheap, stylish, fast, comfortable, reliable and it is always a smooth ride. When I am bored with my car, which won't be soon, I will definatly buy another Oldsmobile. I feel sorry for all the people who got there Alero and were dissatisfied, but there isn't and probably never will be a car that every owner is in love with.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th July, 2004

27th Jul 2004, 19:23

My parents are looking at getting a new car for me. A friend of my father's works in the Used Car department for the dealership. He showed us an Olds Alero. I love the car, but we have not bought it yet because of things that people are saying about the brakes and other things that go wrong with the car. My mother is worried because she read that everything goes bad after 50,000 miles. Currently the car has 48,800 miles on it so she is worried. It is a 1999. Is it worth $6,000 or should we keep looking? I need it to go back and forth to school, so I need a reliable car.

30th Jul 2004, 09:17

About the 99, I would stay away from it, but let me tell my story. I owned a 2001 GL2. Great car, any problems I had were fixed under warranty, except rotor, which were only replaced once under warranty. I changed them twice more. The only reason I traded it off at 70k was b/c I wanted a 4x4. Back to the 99. My brother had one, and it was nothing, but trouble for him. He had the V6, and had multiple problems with it, including transmission and a cylinder that wouldn't fire. After fighting with the dealership, they replaced transmission and fixed the cylinder under warranty, but not before he had to pay $100 deductible (he bought an extended warranty). He sold it at around 35k-40k (1 year ago), and took what he could get for it b/c he just wanted to get rid of it. He also had other minor problems as well that were recurring and a pain to deal with. Was this car a lemon? I don't know, certainly seems like it though.

My sister had a 2000 with the 4 cylinder, and hers was great for her. She now has a 2001 GLS V6 and has also been great. My advice, stay away from the 99's, that was the first year for them and evidently they had lots of bugs to work out. I would go for a 2000 or later.