Deciding Between 03' Pontiac Grand am GT and 03' Oldsmobile Alero GLS

[that0neguy]

I am deciding whether I should get an 03' Pontiac Grand Am GT or an 03' Oldsmobile Alero GLS.

Here's where I am debating with myself and want to hear other opinions. I have mainly been focusing on an Alero recently, but found interest in the Pontiac Grand Am GT too, and my friends are telling me to take that, but I'm not sure they are the right people to go by.

This is my first car, at first, I was upsessed with the Mitsubishi Eclipse, but don't like the little room and the types I can get in my price range. It drives too much like a Sebring, and the ones in my price that keeps insurance down only have 140hp. I really want a sedan, because I'll be taking this car throughout college and chauffering people around in it. I really enjoy leather, some think I'm ahead of my time and shouldn't worry about that at my age, but that's what I enjoy. I am 16 and this will be my first car. I have $2000 saved, and my parents are putting in $10k. I will not have to pay insurance, but on my dad's policy, it will have to be under $1100 which the Alero qualifies for, not sure if the Grand Am will.

Alero:

Positives - Great leather interior, fast pick-up (170 hp) 0-60 in 8 seconds. I really like the exterior as well, the dark blue factory color. I have driven in one of these, and basically enjoy almost everything about it.

Negatives - Very limited selection in my specific area. I am going to have to buy an 03' with 18000 miles in a burgandy color for $9500. I am then going to get a paint job for it, and pay no more than $1700, I don't want a cheap paint job that I can't wax. I don't like the front end bumper though.

I really want to take care of my car and make it look good. So after the costs, the price will come to around $11800 or so with tax and licensing.

Grand Am GT

Positives - More horsepower than the Alero (175 hp), not sure about the acceleration. I like the exterior of the front end, I am not looking at one with Ram air. It looks sleek, but I don't like the tailights or the sides as much. But it still looks about as good as the Alero, can't say better or worse. You can upgrade them more, and it comes in a color I enjoy, black. It has 30,000 miles though.

Negatives - I am looking at one with leather interior, and I don't like the style at all. I don't like the lines on the back, it looks like an 03' Grand Prix with leather, sort of cheap, but I would like more interior pictures. I like the dashboard more, but don't like the leather interior.

Please give me your input, I have posted one in the Alero section and the Grand Am section as well. Thank you for your opinions, GUYS!!


THANKS AGAIN!!

[BNaylor]

You're going through the same problem I had with my son when we decided to purchase our '02 Alero GL2. He had a choice of the Alero or a Grand Am GT. The insurance on the Alero was less for one.

Also you might consider looking into a GL2 model and not the GLS. The GL2 does not come with leather seats and is more sporty. It has the 3.4L V6. The GL2 is the closest Alero there is to a Grand Am GT.

The GL2 has the FE3 handling package just like the GA GT. It also comes with 16" wheels with Goodyear Eagle RSA P225/50R-16 high performance tires. The GLS comes with the Goodyear Eagle Touring. The GL2 also has the power driver's seat stock.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

[kraziqtashes]

Everyone has their opinions about cars, but in all honesty I say go with the Grand Am. My Alero is pure junk, and I know alot of people who have or have had Alero's and they hated them. My mom has owned Pontiacs throughout her life and have had only minor problems. I just bought my '99 Alero in Feb 2005, used of course, and I understand problems occur in used cars, but so much has happened with mine. I had to replace the thermostat, water pump, intake manifold gasket, and at the moment I'm getting a new alternator put in it. My car starts and stalls frequently.

My best is just take your time deciding. Don't focus totally on looks like I did. I bought the Alero cause it was a beautiful car. Trust your instincts.

Sorry I couldnt be more help. I can only give my opinion. I'm 17 years old and this is my first car and I HATE it and I'm constantly hearing how Alero's are junk....

[BNaylor]

Knowing what we now know about Aleros and Grand Ams, I would not have bought either one. The Grand Ams have the same problems as the Alero. They were both built at GM's Lansing, MI assembly plant on the same manufacturing line.

We probably would have gotten a Mustang or some Japanese import. But in the meantime you have to make due with what you have.

BTW - We haven't had any problems with our '02 Alero GL2 for the past 2 years. Knock on wood.

[cnilkyrclit]

ok here is my opinion: i bought my alero 06/04. it's and 03 gl1 2.2liter i4. havent had any problems with this car yet(besides my girl hitting a huge rock in the road, had to get a new rim and tire, also caused he wheel bearing to go bad) it was used with roughly 30,000 miles on it. i love it, the ride and handling are very good. for it to be a 4 cylinder it has good pick up, great gas mileage considering how i drive. from what i have heard the aleros produce prior to 2003 had some issues. those issues were supposedly corrected with the 2003 and up models. there could be a little more room in this car, but for the deal that we got i couldnt pass it up. i have drove the grand am with the ram air kit. i loved it. however i thought the dash was a little cheesy looking. it looks cheap to me. everyone is entitled to their own opinion. performance wise the car is great. as stated by bnaylor, these two cars are based on the same platform. to me they seem almost identical with out all of the body cladding, some models do use the same engine as well. i think the alero has a sleeker look to it, sporty is nice dont get me wrong. i just like a smooth appearance. if you do choose the alero, they do make body kits for them amongst other things. i wish you the best. keep in mind that you will be depending on this car for your main means of transportation. dont be scared to ask the seller questions about the vehicle and vehicle history. i recommend keeping the insurance as cheap as possible. its easier on the pockets, more money to party with or whatever you enjoy doing. good luck