2002 oldsmobile alero gls

Anyone out there I need some help! I have been looking at a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero GLS to buy. I am a single mother with 2 kids so I really need strait answers. I have been researching different places on the net about the 2002 Alero. I have read mostly bad things about this car. Can anyone who owns one now let me know how they like it, if they would buy another one given the chance, if they wish they hadn't and why, what has gone wrong with it, and if they would suggest I keep looking at different cars.

Thanks for your help and advice

Anyone out there I need some help! I have been looking at a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero GLS to buy. I am a single mother with 2 kids so I really need strait answers. I have been researching different places on the net about the 2002 Alero. I have read mostly bad things about this car. Can anyone who owns one now let me know how they like it, if they would buy another one given the chance, if they wish they hadn't and why, what has gone wrong with it, and if they would suggest I keep looking at different cars.

Thanks for your help and advice


I've got a 2002 Alero GL2 3.4L V6 bought new and its OK. However, I wouldn't buy another one given a chance. Under warranty its had the intake manifold gaskets changed, rack and pinion, and power steering pump replaced.

Since then no other problems. I'd recommend checking out the Alero you plan on buying very carefully but the same applies to any used car.

Good luck!

I also have a 2002 Alero, although mine is a GL1 V6. I too have had the intake manifold gasket and power steering pump replaced under warranty, plus the dash pad, the battery, and one of the bearings. It has been a wonderful car since the warranty has run out (nearly 20K miles). I am however, suspecting that I am having some steering issues, possibly an idler arm problem starting to show its face.

Jeremy

I have a 02 gls 3.4L v6. Had the car since 37000km. now at 57000km
had the intake manifold replaced under warranty (I knew this was a problem for this engine). had the multifunction turn signal switch replaced under warranty.

Other than that, no issues...... handles well in winter, traction control great.

good luck

I have a 3.4 V6 sedan, likewise if given the chance, I wouldn't buy another. Warranty is gone and had to replace both wheel bearings ($1000). Since then it's been working well (knock on wood). I really like the engine.

Please buy something else, I own '01 V6 and would love to go back in time and kick myself in the balls...

Anyone out there I need some help! I have been looking at a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero GLS to buy. I am a single mother with 2 kids so I really need strait answers. I have been researching different places on the net about the 2002 Alero. I have read mostly bad things about this car. Can anyone who owns one now let me know how they like it, if they would buy another one given the chance, if they wish they hadn't and why, what has gone wrong with it, and if they would suggest I keep looking at different cars.

Thanks for your help and advice

FWIW, J.D. Power ranks the 2002 Alero at the top of its class in 3 year dependability along with the Chevy Malibu. It's even rated higher than Camry or Accord in the survey. I know it sounds hard to believe, but you can compare vehicles here:

http://www.jdpower.com/cc/index.jsp

You are more likely to hear bad things about the Alero because it is basic transportation. It's not the most exciting car out there so there isn't much to brag about like styling or performance. People pretty much end up focusing on any faults on the car (like the v6 manifold). But one of the best things going for the buyer of an Alero these days is that they are available at a very modest cost on the used market. They suffer the same rapid depreciation that other domestic vehicles face, maybe even worse since Olds is defunct. Is your interest in the 2002 model you are looking at because of price or maybe because you know the owner? Otherwise, you might want to consider looking at a 2004 GL1 or GL2 sedan (the 2 door models have poor side impact crash ratings). Chances are it would still have a year of waranty left. I bought an 04 GL1 (2.2L) sedan in January with 28K miles. It was an off-lease rental vehicle I bought from a GM dealer for $10K. I had a strut mount replaced under warranty and that is the only problem so far (38K miles now). A 2004 Camry would have probably cost $16K so even if there is an occasional repair the Alero should still be an economical vehicle to own. It really depends on how much you have to spend and what you expect to get out of the car. If you decide to buy an Alero just make sure the vehicle is sound (or even covered by a warranty) and make sure you get a good price. With all the recent employee pricing deals to sell all these new cars there are a surplus of used car trades hitting the lots. IMO a clean 2002 Alero GLS with average mileage should be around $8K.

What surprises me is even with the demise of the Oldsmobile division, Aleros are holding their own on resale value even compared to its counterparts, of course excluding Japanese cars which hold much better resale value.

According to NADA, a 2002 Alero GLS with say 50K miles the average retail is around $11K. Trade-in value $9K. So if you can get one around $8K that would be a fair deal. However, I would highly consider getting an extended warranty just to be safe.

Lately, I've seen a lot of them on the road so people must be getting good deals on them. At least it lives on in the used car market.