well the main reason i'd get an alero is i work at a chevy dealership in the summer so i'd get a good price and i get part very cheap. the other car i like a lot in that price range is the Toyota camry toyota has one of the best reputations for reliability mainly because they have an advanced manufacturing processes. Honda accord is right up there with torota. i havn't had good experiences with dodge cars but if you find one you like with a good waranty go for it. the ford taurus is a nice powerfull car but kind of hard on gas. make sure you test drive a bunch of different cars get one that you feel comfortable in, handles well, easily reach controlls, good visibility, smooth ride, enough interior& trunk space, good fuel economy, you might also want to look into crash test ratings. good waranty, also look at resale value. i personaly would stay away from kia/hyundai/daewoo from my experience these cars are cheaply put together and there aren't many aftermarket parts available. they do have a big warranty and i think it's going to put them out of business in a few years... just make sure you do your homework before signing on the dotted line. you should buy a copy of Consumer Guide Auto. it lists all the pros&cons of every new car available in the U.S.A. but don't buy something just because they give it a high rating get one you really like and feel comfortable driving. i hope all this rambling helps you in making a decision.