26th Nov 2005, 00:59
I bought my Alero used with 30k miles on it. Since then, I've run the odometer to 90k, and had some type of mechanical failure every 5,000 miles, without fail. The failures include the following- Wheel bearings, blower fan resistor, emergency flasher switch, water pump, intake gaskets, and ignition switch. You might notice the list fits a common pattern with other GM N-bodies (Grand Am and Malibu), since they all use the same sub-standard parts.
The basic mechanicals are sound, but this car is a ticky-tack pile of junk. I tried to unload several months ago, but even at below blue-book pricing, no one seems interested in a crappy orphan.
The good news- when it breaks, I can fix it. At this point, I'm planning on driving it to 120k, and giving it to charity- good riddance!
25th May 2006, 16:11
I have a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero GLS coupe (2 door) with the 3.4 V6. I had it just over 2 years now. Bought it with 39,000 miles on it, now has 70,000. I had too replace the lower intake manifold (LIM) gasket, the right rear hub (Wheel speed sensor) and just did the front brakes and rotors yesterday. In all honesty, that's not bad at all. I knew about the LIM gasket issue with GM's 60 degree V6 engines. The other stuff?? Well, parts do wear out. I change the oil ever 3,000 miles and the engine runs strong. Auto transmission shifts well. Out on the interstate, it gets great gas mileage, in town,... not so good. All in all, I'm happy with the Alero GLS.
18th Aug 2006, 22:20
I have a 2000 4 cylinder Alero with 107k on it. In the past 6 years I have owned this car, it has had one set of tires, front brake shoes and rotors. I would buy another if they still made them!!
7th Nov 2006, 11:30
I bought my 1999 2 door Alero GLS (V6) new. I now have 96,000 miles on it. The first three months of owning this car it spent 28 days at the dealership. In 96,000 miles it has had the brakes done 9 times. Both front wheel bearings at 48,000 miles. I just did the water pump for the second time, once at 45,000 miles and again at 94,000 miles. It has had 3 fuel injectors replaced. Alternator at 65,000 miles. Two sets of tires. Struts all the way around at 54,000 miles. Drivers power window at 15,000 miles. Turn single flasher at 17,000. Intake and exhaust gaskets at 36,000 miles. Climate control blower motor has been replaced twice. Over all this has been a fairly good car with a lot of problems. I would never recommend anyone buy one of these cars. The only reason I have kept the car is because it is paid for and it is cheaper to keep it than to have another car payment.
6th Sep 2007, 14:37
I have a 2000 olds alero, 2 door, 3.4 liter V6 engine. Have had it for 7 years and she purrs like a kitten. Haven't had any major problems. Nothing in the first 2-3 years. Replaced the water pump once, spark plugs twice. Change the oil every 7000 miles. Gets decent gas mileage for a V6. Powerful acceleration. This baby goes! Drives great, handling is tight. I'm a girl and drive it like a crazy guy and I love it!!! My car must have been built on a Tuesday. :)
17th Sep 2007, 16:06
I have a 2000 Alero GL and have owned it for 7 years. It now has over 200,000 miles and still runs like a champ. If I could keep this car forever I would. I have only replaced the fuel pump and front rotors once and that was two years ago. It still has it's get up and go, rides smoothly and quietly. It has the power when I need it, too. I keep the oil changed and had the spark plugs and boots replace at the 100,000 mark and now it needs it again. I am going to keep driving this car as long as it runs great. I wouldn't trade this car for the world. LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!
26th Nov 2007, 21:59
I bought a 2001 Old Alero 2 door 6 years ago. It still has less than 98,000 km on it. Great condition. Sharp looking. Drives fantastic. Love it and hate it.
Since that time, I have had to replace the ignition system, which was already done once at the dealership before car was sold to me. Not disclosed by the dealership. $850.00.
Then I had to replace the intake manifold, which I found out later was already done at the dealership before car was sold to me. Not disclosed by the dealership. $300.00.
The intake manifold went a second time. $300.00 this means it has been replaced 3 times that I know of in the last six years.
The head gasket was leaking into my oil tank. Had to change the oil every 15 kms until it was finally fixed by the dealership. Less than 90K on car. They paid half. My bill $750.00.
The passenger door window regulator was replaced less than 1 yr ago. $500. Now it's broken again. How much? Who knows?
Driver's side window regulator is starting to go. Based on previous estimate, $500 to replace.
The rear window defroster stopped working last week. Complicated schematic, mechanic needs 1/2 day just to find the problem, which is likely a loose connection. Could cost up to $500.
Lousy MPG, city or highway.
Body in good shape, just a little rust spot on the driver's rear quarter panel starting to appear.
Other thoughts... car makes a weird, squeaking .. or perhaps labouring noise in the front passenger dashboard... as if something was rattling around in the glovebox, but is not. Am scared to even find out WHAT that noise is.
When I spoke to the dealership, they told me they were experiencing a lot of problem with the car because gaskets and parts were outsourced to... who knows where? They claim they brought the parts manufacture back to NA in 2004, and haven't experienced any problems since then. Do I believe it? No way.
Will I buy another GM?
After owning GM's my entire driving career, which is going to be three decades soon, the answer is a resounding NO. I'll drive this sucker into the ground cuz I still owe $5800 on it.
Buyer Beware.
8th Jan 2005, 15:31
I am the owner of a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero GD2 Sedan 4D. I bought my car in April of 2004. Two weeks after buying my Alero, I had to replace all rotors and brake pads. Two weeks after that I had to replace the engine as I apparently "threw a rod". Given the year of my car and that it had only 65,000 miles on it, my mechanic informed me that that was very odd. So $2,500.00 and 3 months later, I have now started to have another issue that is yet to be named.
When driving my car it chugs, like it's missing gears, and that same day it started that it stalled at a stop sign. I'm thinking fuel pump. Who knows.
Other issues are my driver window won't go down, I need the motor replaced for that too, the dash is peeling and the sides of the doors (where they meet the windows), and the CD player skips over every bump and when the car is cold, forget about playing a CD at all, it won't work.
Over all I have to say that if all these problems were fixed I wouldn't mind the Alero. The pick up and go is great. I love the sporty look. I am attempting to sell my car just to get rid of the financial burden it has caused. I just wish I didn't feel like I am driving a lemon that has now cost me a small fortune.