- sedan
- Jerome, ID
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- autoshopper.com
2000 oldsmobile alero review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Good mid-range power, crisp shifting and quick steering combined with a roomy back seat, a handsome interior with a nice leather option and a big trunk provide an attractive alternative to the other cars in its class. the alero follows in the footsteps of its big brother, the aurora. It's that swoopy performance sedan with sea-creature styling that debuted in 1994 and led gm's stagnant oldsmobile brand into the rosy automotive future. That future includes vehicle platforms that are shared among many divisions yet offer definitive style that can compete in the global arena. (aurora has been redesigned for 2001.) it is with that spirit that the alero integrates a host of lessons learned from the japanese into a distinctive american car. By combining a reasonable level of refinement with a long list of features and comforts, the alero sedan stands up as a worthy, high-value competitor to the japanese and american cars in its class. This alero is a vast improvement over its predecessor, the achieva, and oldsmobile expects to sell about 150,000 aleros this year, making it the company's largest volume offering. lineupaiming to grab a large slice of the small-car market, alero has plenty of models to go around. Each is available in three trim levels: gx, gl and gls. Prices for sedans and coupes are the same: gx 15,675); gl 17,650); gls 21,365). a 150-horsepower, 2. 4-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard on gx and gl, while a 170-horsepower 3. 4-liter v6 is optional on the gl (for $18,875) and standard on the top-of-the-line gls. The alero coupe competes with the dodge avenger, chrysler sebring coupe, honda accord coupe and toyota solara. walkaroundthe alero shares a strong family resemblance with oldsmobile's bigger intrigue and aurora sedans. Examples of where that can be clearly seen are in the squashed-oval horizontal headlights and in the artful treatment around the fog lamps and front bumper. By far the strongest design element is the enormous tail lamps, which look like they are draped around the corners of the car and are instantly recognizable from quite a distance. oldsmobile's alero shares its chassis with pontiac's grand am. The common alero/grand am platform provides a rigid body structure that allowed more precise suspension development, which in turn provides a decent ride and competent handling. Tubular door beams and strategically placed foam blocks help guard against side-impact injuries. don't be fooled by the oldsmobile marketing department's active response system. All the individual pieces fit together in a way that is natural without being ordinary, scientific without being flashy. The instruments, located under a deep, curved hood that keeps the sun off the faces, are large and legible. Audio controls are positioned in the center of the dash above the less-often-used rotary switches for the climate controls. looks can be deceiving. Interior space is comparable to other cars in this class, and the alero accommodates large drivers with ease. We especially liked the seat-mounted three-point seat belts, which move fore and aft with the seat. They seem more comfortable around the shoulder than traditional belts mounted to the door frames. rear seats are surprisingly roomy, offering lots of headroom for taller passengers. All models now get child seat anchors in the package shelf. The trunk is big; at 14. 6 cubic feet, it is significantly larger than the honda accord's 13. 6 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats fold down for more space and are split for carrying one rear passenger and longer items at the same time. A low liftover height makes it easier to lift groceries and other cargo over the rear bumper. alero's interior colors, textures, and shapes are redolent of every japanese car, showing just how far gm has come from the cheap plastic of its earlier products. However, oldsmobile's engineers have optimized bushings, springs, strut damping, and front and rear anti-roll bars to deliver the ride and handling demanded by import-oriented customers. The front and rear suspension struts attach to the car through intermediate subframes, which allow the springs to keep the tires in firm contact with the road without transmitting a lot of harshness to occupants. An ultra-stiff floor pan allows for more compliant suspension travel in the interest of smoothness. the large tires on the gls impart a somewhat heavy feel to the steering, which, like most cars from gm, has a slight dead spot at straight-ahead. But overall the steering feels quick and precise. This steering response makes the driver feel connected to the road. The alero is taut, yet remarkably free of rattles over potholes. This v6 is clean enough to qualify for california's stringent low emissions vehicle rating thanks to a revised intake manifold, new fuel injectors and higher fuel line pressure. This is the same transmission as in the oldsmobile silhouette minivan, but it has been recalibrated for quicker downshifting, a welcome improvement. we haven't tried out the 2000 alero's new manual five-speed transmission, but it is built by getrag, a german manufacturer renowned for its excellent manual gearboxes; a new plant in italy produces the transaxle. Abs allows the driver to maintain steering control of the car during emergency braking maneuvers. Traction control reduces wheelspin under hard acceleration. aluminum brake calipers are 20 percent lighter than cast-iron designs, which contributes to better handling and a more controlled ride (by reducing unsprung weight). The traction control system uses abs wheel-speed sensors that detect when the front wheels are spinning; torque is then reduced by upshifting the transmission, retarding ignition timing and, if necessary, cutting fuel to the injectors. Oldsmobile says this system has proven to be more effective than other traction control systems that use both power reduction and brake application to maintain control. A switch allows the driver to turn the system off if necessary, such as if the car is stuck in a snow bank. summarygiven its sophistication and features balanced against its attractive price, the alero is clearly oldsmobile's best attempt yet at making a small car to compete with the benchmark cars from japan. A new 5-speed manual gearbox should add to the sports appeal of the gl models. As a solid entry-level choice that no longer feels like a cheap rental unit, the alero is quite appealing and should not be overlooked. model lineupgx 15,675); gl 17,650); gls 21,365). assembled inlansing, michigan. options as testedperformance suspension 250); power moonroof 650); 100-watt dynamic bass audio system 150). model testedalero gls sedan 21,365). Anti-lock Brakes✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
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