Alero in Europe

[dannyma]

I'm considering to buy a second hand Alero, 2.4, year 2001...
There aren't many of these cars in Europe, but I drove one in the usa and I liked that car so much!
My only consern in the gas: price of gas in Belgium is 1,25 €/liter.
If I convert, it is 5,5 dollar/gallon...so you there in de usa don't have to complain!
I hope that the car doesn't drink to much!

[Ridenour]

welcome to the forum. Your alero should get decent mileage. Properly maintained, it should be between 28 to 32 MPG on the highway.

[JTrujillo86]

I would say go for the V6 if you going to be driving mainly highway, or even if you are doing mixed driving. City driving kills the MPG on the 2.4. Also, I have a V6 and if I drive consistently on the highway, I can get about 32 MPG.

Jeremy

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by dannyma

I'm considering to buy a second hand Alero, 2.4, year 2001...
There aren't many of these cars in Europe, but I drove one in the usa and I liked that car so much!
My only consern in the gas: price of gas in Belgium is 1,25 €/liter.
If I convert, it is 5,5 dollar/gallon...so you there in de usa don't have to complain!
I hope that the car doesn't drink to much!

Is the unleaded fuel in Belgium the same as other Euro countries? I recall that Euro regular unleaded was 95 octane and super unleaded was around 97. Is this still correct?

I recall gas (benzine) was nearing the equivalent of $4.00 per gallon back in 1982 when I was assigned to NATO (Shape), Belgium. There's only one direction fuel is heading worldwide and that is up.

Good luck if you decide to get an Alero.

[dannyma]

There are 2 different fuel at the gas stations here in Belgium, super 95 and super 98, the last one is a few cents more expensive.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by dannyma

There are 2 different fuel at the gas stations here in Belgium, super 95 and super 98, the last one is a few cents more expensive.

Thanks for the info. Better than what we have although its double the cost. Do you still have have leaded fuel available or was that phased out back in 1999. BTW - What's the speed limit on your freeways(autobahn)?

Here's a pic pf our 2002 Alero GL2 with 3.4L V6.

[dannyma]

There's no leaded fuel anymore. But the most cars run on diesel, I think more than 50 % of all cars here.
Speed limit is 120 km (75 mph) on the highways.
But the fuel is not the only cost...we have to pay "car tax" every year, it depends on the hp of the car, the heavier the car is, tax is more expensive. For the Alero 2.4, I have to pay 500 € / year, just taxes!
And when I start to drive that car, I have to pay once 600 € (start-tax)
I suppose you don't have that kind of taxes in de states?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by dannyma

There's no leaded fuel anymore. But the most cars run on diesel, I think more than 50 % of all cars here.
Speed limit is 120 km (75 mph) on the highways.
But the fuel is not the only cost...we have to pay "car tax" every year, it depends on the hp of the car, the heavier the car is, tax is more expensive. For the Alero 2.4, I have to pay 500 € / year, just taxes!
And when I start to drive that car, I have to pay once 600 € (start-tax)
I suppose you don't have that kind of taxes in de states?

Ouch!! In Texas we pay a one time tax when you purchase a vehicle whether new or used. Its 6.25% of the cars value less trade-in, if any. Then we have annual license plate registration which ranges from $50 - $80. Its based on weight of the vehicle and age.

When I was stationed in Germany, they paid a similar tax. "Mereweresteuer" (not sure of spelling) or ad valorem/value added tax but U.S. Forces and NATO was exempt.

BTW - Do you have any GM dealers that can service the Alero?

Nice chatting and thanks for the feedback.

[dannyma]

There are here many GM dealers, Opel is the most sold car from GM.
BTW, the Alero isn't here an Oldsmobile, but a Chevrolet!
But it's exact the same car. GM also maintain these cars.
This week, I have to make a decision if I buy this Alero or not.
(2001 2.4)
I think I'm gonna do it, just hope that the car doesn't drink too much fuel!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by dannyma

There are here many GM dealers, Opel is the most sold car from GM.
BTW, the Alero isn't here an Oldsmobile, but a Chevrolet!
But it's exact the same car. GM also maintain these cars.
This week, I have to make a decision if I buy this Alero or not.
(2001 2.4)
I think I'm gonna do it, just hope that the car doesn't drink too much fuel!

A Chevy??? Thats interesting. I guess a GM is a GM no matter how you slice the pie....lol

Plus your Alero should have the Euro ECU/PCM with no speed limiter. Ours kicks in around 108 mph.

BTW - I had an Opel Ascona 1.9 and it was a great car. Very economical.

Good luck and hope you make the right decision.

[JTrujillo86]

Hey Bnaylor3400: I'm starting to think you're posting new pics of your car to make me jealous :-( Just kidding...

Anyway, I thought that the registration fees are based on the taxable value of the car? When I had my chepo 1997 Malibu, reg. fees were something that I didn't worry about...now that I have a pretty new car which still has some value (for now...) I dread registering the car....

Jeremy

[dannyma]

I almost forgot: the sale tax (when I buy a car) is 21,5 % !!!
But the sale tax is always included in the prices shown on all products.
So we often forget that we paid that also....

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by JTrujillo86

Hey Bnaylor3400: I'm starting to think you're posting new pics of your car to make me jealous :-( Just kidding...

Anyway, I thought that the registration fees are based on the taxable value of the car? When I had my chepo 1997 Malibu, reg. fees were something that I didn't worry about...now that I have a pretty new car which still has some value (for now...) I dread registering the car....

Jeremy

lol. I believe that every state has different taxation. Annual registration in Texas is based on vehicle weight. But our taxes are in a drop in the bucket compared to what our Belgium friend will pay.......ouch!

Speaking of resale value, have you noticed that an Alero is holding its value (somewhat) even with the demise of Oldsmobile. I thought the NADA and Kelly values would be a lot lower.

[BNaylor]

Pic of Chevrolet Alero. Hard to see but it even has the Chevy Bowtie emblem.

[JTrujillo86]

Eww...that's just not natural :P

Jeremy