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Oldsmobile Alero
3012 messages, Last post on May 28, 2012 at 5:28 AM
You are in the Oldsmobile Alero Forum.What is this discussion about? Oldsmobile Alero, Sedan
#287 of 3012 Should I buy??? by ribew
Dec 14, 2000 (3:30 am)
Hello -I am considering buying a 2001 Alero GLS, but with the recent announcement that Olds. will be shutting down has made me rethink things.
So, I've come here to get people's opinions on what I should do. I REALLY like the Alero, and I know all warranty stuff will be honored along with any maintenance (performed at any GM dealer) after the warranty has expired, but the whole idea of having a car 5 years from now from a company that won't exist any longer is a bit disconcerting.
I'm also considering the Grand Prix GT and Monte Carlo SS, but like I said I really like the Alero. Its price point is unbeatable, especially since I can get the GM employee discount and Olds. has the 0-0-0 deal going on currently. It works well for a current grad. student.
I know the Alero is a great car, and Oldsmobile is a great company, but is it really that good of an idea to buy a car from a company that is going under? Yes, GM isn't going anywhere, but you get what I'm saying...? I.E. resale value, etc.
Thanks for any insight in advance.
#288 of 3012 Resale Value by jeraldbarker
Dec 15, 2000 (3:45 pm)
Folks,I too love the Alero and have was just about to buy one when the
news hit this week. I have been reevaluating my purchase and
will probably go ahead and buy a 2001 Alero. Here's why:
Resale Value: Yes, resale value will probably be affected for
the worse. Since I am about to buy, I can use that as a negotiating
position! How much will resale be affected? This can be judged
by visiting Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) and looking at OTHER
discontinued cars. A 96 Eagle Vision is worth about $1000 less
than a comparable equipped 96 Dodge Intrepid. On the up side,
a 96 Ply mouth Neon is worth the same amount as a 96 Dodge Neon!
So my best guess is that, down the road, resale will be hurt somewhere
between 0 and $1000.
Warranty/Parts: As others have pointed out, other CM divisions will
LOVE to get you as a customer and will have NO PROBLEM inviting you
in for service! Most make more money in their service kept than
in sales anyway, so they will be glad to see you. As for parts,
the car is in it's 3rd model year already so body parts should be
available for quite awhile. beck, there may even still be a 2002
and 2003 Alero... As for engine parts, everyone should realize
they will be plentiful since the drivetrain is shared with other
cars such as the Grand Am.
Sorry to ramble. That's my take on the situation. My family has
owned many Oldsmobiles so I am very sad to see it go. But things
don't last forever. But, I may order my Alero in BLACK in honor
of the fallen division!
Jerald.
#289 of 3012 jeraldbarker by etharmon
Dec 16, 2000 (1:26 pm)
If you like the Alero, go for it. It would be funny if in this aftermath that Olds sales increased. I doubt they will and even if they did, it wouldn't change GM's decision but at least it would send them a message. Kind of like back in the late 80s when Ford introduced the Probe, they planned to ax the Mustang but Mustang owners spoke their mind. Ford was smart on that front, unfortunately I don't think GM is so smart. If you like the Alero, I'd buy it and enjoy it. Resale value may drop a bit, but service and parts will be no problem. I have a 98 Intrigue and when my lease is up next summer, I may seriously consider another Intrigue. Especially if Olds gives me the $1500 in addition to discounts which will more than likely be offered on the 2001s by late summer. One last thing, I wouldn't compare Olds resale value with Eagle's. Even before Eagle was dropped, their resale value was lower than that of Dodge or Chrysler. Nobody really knew what an Eagle Vision was.#290 of 3012 etharmon is right by zinc1
Dec 17, 2000 (12:36 am)
GM will pay close enough attention to the Olds line while it's getting more press than ever - how ironic. So service won't a problem.At least no more of a problem than in the past...
#291 of 3012 aftermarket equipement for 2000 allero by wwilson1
Dec 17, 2000 (7:03 pm)
I am looking for any information on sunroofs, rear spoiler for my 2000 allero. I am located in pa.#293 of 3012 Sunroof and Suspension for Alero by irontiger
Dec 17, 2000 (8:19 pm)
Hi. I am planning on purchasing an Alero next year. This will be my first car for me. I have a couple of questions I would like to ask. I plan on getting a sunroof. It's something that I always wnated to get hoever I am concerned about having one. Are they easy for someone to break into? I mean can someone just simply pry it open or will it take alot of effort to get through?Another question is about the sport suspension. How much of an improvement will the sport suspension have over the standard suspension? How much harsher will the ride be with the sport suspension? I would really appreciate any information you can tell me. Thanks
#294 of 3012 Sunroof? Watch your headroom! by swagled
Dec 17, 2000 (11:53 pm)
I rented an Alero for a day this weekend, and came away with the feeling that it didn't have enough headroom inside. It was too easy to graze my head on the sun visor if I leaned forward, and too easy to tap my head on the interior left side of the car. (This was correctable by lowering the seat as far as it would go, but that made getting out of the car feel like "climbing up" out of it...)My car did not have a sunroof, and usually a sunroof will cut additional space from your headroom. DEFINATELY drive a car with a sunroof for a while before comitting yourself.
I'm 6'5", so I tend to pay close attention to this when I evaluate a car. (Surprisingly, not all small cars are too small, and not all large cars have a lot of room!) If you're shorter than average, you may not find any problems at all. Again, you gotta drive one to find out...
#295 of 3012 alero suspension by heng
Dec 18, 2000 (4:21 pm)
The standard suspension with the V-6 is pretty well behaved. Even when driving fast on curvy roads it is neutral with the tires (BFG touring TAs) being limiting. If you were dicing it up behind another car and trying to fake and pass then a stiffer suspension would be in order.How do you intend to drive?
#296 of 3012 Start Something... by jlaszlo
Dec 22, 2000 (3:54 pm)
When I found out about the Olds impending death I shopped the other GM makes to see if there was a deal using the $1000 voucher. This is what I found...1) GM doesn't make many cars that appeal to me. Pontiacs are cheezy and Cadillac is too much $$$. I was born after Vietnam so that eliminates Buick. Saturns have gotten fugly. That leaves Chevy, GMC, or Olds. Camaros (see Pontiac), Cavaliers, Monte Carlos, Malibus??? Are you serious?
The trucks are all right and I'm looking pretty closely at a 2 door Blazer but I'm not enthralled. Even with $1500 you can't really get a good deal on an Olds yet. Because...
2) Dealers have seized on the closure of Olds as another reason to screw you on the trade in. My 99 V6 GL sedan w/moonroof went from an $11500 trade in value to $9000 this week. You almost can't help but be upside down.
3) GM has a habit of ending a party when it starts getting good. See Oldsmobile, Pontiac Fiero, Cadillac Allante...
So what's an owner to do? Will the resale value suffer? If a car is worth $9000 today, how about 3 years from now? Is it even worth sinking more money into a doomed marque? A Blazer?
Thanks GM
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