1999-04 Oldsmobile Alero | Consumer Guide Auto

Midsize car; Built in USA

2-door coupe
4-door sedan

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $1,500 – $4,400*

2000 Oldsmobile Alero 2-door coupe

2001 Oldsmobile Alero 2-door coupe

2000 Oldsmobile Alero GLS 4-door sedan

2001 Oldsmobile Alero 4-door sedan

2001 Oldsmobile Alero 2-door coupe

Pros:	Acceleration (V6) Control layout Quietness
Cons:	Engine noise (4-cylinder) Rear-seat entry/exit (coupe) Rear visibility (coupe)

Satisfying in ordinary use, the Alero behaves admirably on twisting roads and feels more mature than its Pontiac Grand Am cousin. Acceleration with the V6 is another “plus,” but Aleros cannot match import-brand rivals in refinement. Value is enhanced by its long list of standard features.

Overview

Oldsmobile launched the front-drive compact Alero coupe and 4-door sedan for 1999, to replace the slow-selling Achieva. Basic design was shared with the Pontiac Grand Am. Both body styles came in base GX, better-equipped GL, and top-line GLS trim levels. GX and GL models used a dual-camshaft 4-cylinder engine. A V6 was optional for the GL but standard on GLS models. Only a 4-speed automatic transmission was available initially. All-disc antilock braking and traction control were standard. A tire-pressure monitor was standard on GL and GLS Aleros, and GLS coupes could have an optional performance suspension.

Yearly Updates

2000 Alero
A 5-speed manual transmission supplied by Getrag was available for 2000. “GL” models came in three levels: 1, 2, and 3, the latter equipped with the V6 engine. Manual shift was standard on GX and GL1 versions, with automatic an option. Three child-seat anchors on the rear parcel shelf were new this year. A new Sport package for GLs included the firmer performance suspension, previously reserved only for the GLS, including 16-inch alloy wheels and wider tires.

2001 Alero
Alero’s V6 engine was more widely available this year, newly optional for the GL and GL2, and additional standard equipment was installed. The GL3 edition was dropped. GX models gained power windows, cruise control and a standard CD player. The GL1 added keyless remote entry, while the GL2 gained a sport suspension and rear spoiler.
In December 2001, General Motors announced that the Oldsmobile brand would begin a phaseout, but Aleros continued into the 2002 model year.

2002 Alero
GX and GL1 models got a 140-hp 2.2-liter 4-cyl engine. It replaced the 150-hp 2.4, which had lower EPA fuel-economy ratings.

2003 Alero
Available XM satellite radio and deletion of standard antilock brakes on lower-line models were the only significant changes for 2003.

2004 Alero
Alero remains unchanged for 2004.

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.2/134
Engine HP	140
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	150

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	25/33 24/32

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.2/134

Engine HP

140

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

150

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

25/33
24/32

dohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	2.4/146
Engine HP	150
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	155

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual 4-speed automatic	22/31 22/30

dohc I4

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

2.4/146

Engine HP

150

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

155

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

22/31
22/30

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	3.4/207
Engine HP	170
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	200

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic	20/32	21.6

ohv V6

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

3.4/207

Engine HP

170

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

200

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

20/32

21.6

Ratings

Model Tested: 2002 Oldsmobile Alero GL1

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 4

40%

Fuel Economy - 6

60%

Ride Quality - 4

40%

Steering/Handling - 4

40%

Quietness - 4

40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7

70%

Room/Comfort Front - 5

50%

Room/Comfort Rear - 4

40%

Cargo Room - 5

50%

Other

Value - 6

60%

Total: 49

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1999 Alero 2-door coupe

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 4

80%

Front Passenger Injury - 5

100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 1

20%

Rear Passenger Injury - 4

80%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	106
Injury	75
Theft	N/A

2000 Oldsmobile Alero	Pricing Effective: 11/12/1999
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
GX 2-door coupe	$ 16,005	$ 14,965	$ 560
GX 4-door sedan	16,005	14,965	560
GL1 2-door coupe	17,820	16,305	560
GL1 4-door sedan	17,820	16,305	560
GL2 2-door coupe	18,270	16,717	560
GL2 4-door sedan	18,270	16,717	560
GL3 2-door coupe	18,875	17,271	560
GL3 4-door sedan	18,875	17,271	560
GLS 2-door coupe	21,545	19,498	560
GLS 4-door sedan	21,545	19,498	560
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
GX : 2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, traction control, dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth front bucket seats, split folding rear seat, power door locks, AM/FM radio, tachometer, intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, power decklid release, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, dual outside mirrors, 215/60R15 tires, wheel covers
GL1/GL2/GL3 add: 3.4-liter V-6 engine (GL3), 4-speed automatic transmission (GL2/GL3), low tire-inflation warning system, variable-assist power steering, cruise control, power mirrors, power windows, AM/FM/cassette, driver seat w/power height adjustment and manual lumbar support, 215/60R15 tires (GL2/GL3)
GLS adds: 3.4-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, remote keyless entry, leather upholstery, 6-way power driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, fog lights, 225/50R16 tires, polished alloy wheels

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Feature Pkg.	GL	$925	$823
Mfr. Disc.		625	556
Remote keyless entry, leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lights, alloy wheels.
Sport Pkg.	GL	925	824
Mfr. Disc.		450	401
Dynamic bass audio system, rear spoiler, performance sport suspension, 225/50VR16 tires. Requires Feature Pkg.
Leather Pkg.	GL1, GL2	1455	1295
Mfr. Disc.		1025	912
Leather upholstery, 6-way power driver seat, AM/FM/cassette/CD player. Requires Feature Pkg.
Performance Suspension Pkg.	GLS	250	223
Performance sport suspension, 225/50VR16 tires.
Gold Pkg.	GL, GLS	150	134
Gold badging.
Powertrain
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
4-speed automatic transmission	GX	785	699
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Power sunroof	GL, GLS	650	579
6-way power driver seat	GL	305	271
Cruise control	GX	225	200
AM/FM/cassette	GX	220	196
AM/FM/cassette/CD player	GX	480	427
AM/FM/cassette/CD player	GL	200	178
Includes dynamic bass audio system.
Dynamic bass audio system	GL, GLS	150	134
GL requires Feature Pkg.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Rear spoiler	GL, GLS	225	200
Engine block heater		20	18

2001 Oldsmobile Alero	Pricing Effective: 08/01/2000
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
GX 2-door coupe	$ 17,210	$ 16,091	$ 585
GX 4-door sedan	17,210	16,091	585
GL1 2-door coupe	18,795	17,197	585
GL1 4-door sedan	18,795	17,197	585
GL2 2-door coupe	19,700	18,026	585
GL2 4-door sedan	19,700	18,026	585
GLS 2-door coupe	22,190	20,082	585
GLS 4-door sedan	21,965	19,878	585
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
GX : 2.4-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control, dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, tachometer, variable intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, power decklid release, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, dual outside mirrors, 215/60R15 tires, wheel covers
GL1 adds: variable-assist power steering, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, driver seat w/power height adjustment and manual lumbar support, map lights, 215/60R15 tires
GL2 adds: leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy wheels, rear spoiler, fog lights, performance sport suspension, 225/50VR16 tires
GLS adds: 3.4-liter V6 engine, leather upholstery, 6-way power driver seat, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, 225/50SR16 tires, polished alloy wheels, (Deletes performance sport suspension, rear spoiler (sedan))

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 49

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

2002 Oldsmobile Alero	Pricing Effective: 05/19/2002
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
GX 2-door coupe	$ 17,805	$ 16,648	$ 610
GX 4-door sedan	17,805	16,648	610
GL1 2-door coupe	19,855	18,167	610
GL1 4-door sedan	19,605	17,939	610
GL2 2-door coupe	21,080	19,288	610
GL2 4-door sedan	21,080	19,288	610
GLS 2-door coupe	22,395	20,267	610
GLS 4-door sedan	22,145	20,041	610
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
GX : 2.2-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control, dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights, air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, rear defogger, visor mirrors, power decklid release, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 215/60R15 tires, wheel covers
GL1 adds: leather-wrapped steering wheel, power mirrors, power windows, remote keyless entry, driver seat w/power height adjustment and manual lumbar support, map lights, rear spoiler (coupe), fog lights, alloy wheels
GL2 adds: 3.4-liter V6 engine, rear spoiler, performance sport suspension, 225/50VR16 tires
GLS adds: leather upholstery, 6-way power driver seat, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, 225/50SR16 tires, polished alloy wheels, (Deletes performance sport suspension, rear spoiler (sedan))

2003 Oldsmobile Alero	Pricing Effective: 06/05/2003
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
GX 2-door coupe	$ 18,200	$ 17,017	$ 625
GX 4-door sedan	18,200	17,017	625
GL1 2-door coupe	20,150	18,437	625
GL1 4-door sedan	20,150	18,437	625
GL2 2-door coupe	21,700	19,856	625
GL2 4-door sedan	21,700	19,856	625
GLS 2-door coupe	23,050	20,860	625
GLS 4-door sedan	22,800	20,634	625
Price Note:

2004 Oldsmobile Alero	Pricing Effective: 03/10/2004
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
GX 2-door coupe	$ 18,485	$ 17,283	$ 625
GX 4-door sedan	18,485	17,283	625
GL1 2-door coupe	20,435	18,698	625
GL1 4-door sedan	20,435	18,698	625
GL2 2-door coupe	21,985	20,116	625
GL2 4-door sedan	21,985	20,116	625
GLS 2-door coupe	23,335	21,118	625
GLS 4-door sedan	23,085	20,892	625
Price Note: