2001 Oldsmobile Alero GLX 3.4 V6 from North America

Summary:

Decent car, but I don't know if I would recommend it

Faults:

The rotors had to be replaced at about 9000 miles.

Temperature switches on the dash had to be replaced at 2000 miles.

Sending unit in fuel tank had to be replaced at 11000 miles. The fuel gauge would read full and then it would just go to empty when it had a full tank of gas.

I think the wheel bearings are going out on the front passenger wheel. It makes a dragging noise. It's at 17000 miles now.

The cruise control stopped working about 1000 miles ago.

General Comments:

The car handles very nicely. I love the performance suspension. It corners better than a 2001 V6 Mustang I test drove. The looks of the car are nice. I have to agree with another person here who said the gas tank should have been made a bit bigger. You can't go very far on a tank of gas especially when it's the V6 model. I had my Honda for 11 years with very little maintenance and none until after 80,000 miles. It just seems like it will nickel and dime me to death after the car is no longer under warranty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th October, 2002

2001 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 3.4 V6 from North America

Summary:

A good looking pile of junk

Faults:

At about 25 miles I realized the steering wheel was out of alignment. Had to get front alignment.

At 3500 and 15000 miles the light in the rear defroster button broke. Replaced under warranty both times.

At 13000 miles weather stripping was replaced around drivers door due to leaks.

At 15000 had to replace front brake pads and rotors.

At 17500 the right front caliper had to be replaced due to a bad piston.

At 22300 it was in a hail storm. Insurance covered the $3200 in damage, but took dealer body shop 4 weeks to get the thing back together. Terrible workmanship and service. Could have done a better job myself with a can of Bondo and some spray paint.

General Comments:

Do not buy a new Alero. They may look good, but they're not so great when you own one. Look, but don't touch.

I bought this car based on looks and performance. It's got every option except leather and chrome wheels. The RDS stereo is good and I like the moonroof.

Along with the problems mention obove, the car seems to be driving and riding more like a prairie wagon these days. It still handles well and acceleration is okay, but It's terrible on bumps and feels like the front suspension is shot. The seats and armrests are not comfortable.

Hopefully I can get out of this thing soon. If not I'll be purchasing an extended warranty. God knows I'll need it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th May, 2002

2001 Oldsmobile Alero 3.4 V6 from Netherlands

Summary:

Best and cheapest in this segment of the market

Faults:

Trunk lock didn't close unless pressed firmly.

However, it had to be returned to the dealer because of air-leakage which caused the windows to fog.

General Comments:

First of all I have to maken the comment that the finishing touch on this car is absolutely absent:

- Trunk wasn't closing easily.

- A handle on one of the doors sticking was a few mm's out disrupting the beautiful lines of the car.

- Wasn't cleaned on delivery (stains of mechanicians sitting with their overalls on leather seating).

Everything was fixed except for the handle "because it's well known that American cars haven't got a good finishing touch". But I don't blame it on the car, I blame this on disinterest from the dealer.

Except from that, a dream of a car.

Great handling, grip and luxury for the lowest price on the market for this segment. Expecting a lot of the reliability Chevrolet was able to show to us the past century.

One minor glitch though is the fuel storage: it can hold only 54 Liters of gasoline. Because of its consumption it would have been more suitable to have an Audi/Volvo-style fuel storage of 70 Liters giving it a great action radius.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th January, 2002