I am looking to buy an Oldsmobile.. here are some details.
I am looking for opinions.. good bad stay away from or ......

Both Vehicles are 2004 Oldsmobile Aleros’ 4 Door cars

Car A
87K Miles
4 Cyl Engine
Silver – grey interior
Tires unknown
Private Seller

Car B
93K Miles
V6
White – Grey interior
Tires look OK
Dealership

I am going to go drive them today..

I am looking to replace my Daily Driver (was a 1994 ford escort 217xxx miles) before the transmission went *kaboom* with a snap and a pop.

Good Mileage would be nice.. but not the top of the list Reliability is more important.. and will be cheaper than driving my Suburban to work everyday..

 

The 4cyl ecotec very reliable, 3.4 v6 intake gaskets, but with 93k should have been replaced with the good ones.

Issues brakes wear quickly, wheel bearings, rear defroster quits (conector @ C pillar cover fails) passlock with no crank problem, (oldsmobileforum.com has a fix or bypass)

Don't be shy on the V6 yields pretty decent fuel mileage 27-34 hwy.
mine returns 32-34 mpg depending on conditions.

Pat

 

How is your V6 for city driving ( a bulk of what I will be doing. )
I know it is pending driver etc.. but rough average ?

 

I had one with a v-6, thought it was the 3.1. Got around 30 mpg as I remember. I had alot of electrical problems and trans problems got rid of it at 88,000 miles. I think I got a lemon that got flooded at sometime but never could prove it. Dealer closed up shortly afterward. Moter was good and was very comfortable on trips.

Larry

 

Don't know! 25mph for 3/4 mile and 45 to 55 mph with very little stoping.
What levels are your looking at GX GL1 or GL2?
The 4 cyl has to be a GX or GL1
the 6cyl could be GL1,GL2 or GLS if has leather seats

Pat

 

I drive in city traffic and I yield about 19-21 MPG. Always have. I can get upto 35 MPG on the highway, but recently, with 141,2xx on the clock, it's getting in the 32-33 area.

Of course my car is modded pretty good

 

Well ... Looks as if my decision has been made.. NEITHER of them..
Car A at the private seller has a rebuilt /restored title. (my bank will only loan on a clean title)
Car B @ the Dealership was sold before I got there.

so the search for a replacement Daily Driver continues....

 

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...21798603&Log=0
I think this is in your neck of the woods. NO price? kbb excellent $8400.00
I think more like in the $7's depending on condition and options.

Pat

 

Who won, you or the Olds?

 

Ya.. it is about 30ish Minutes away..

I really hate trying to find a Car.. Car Shopping is at the bottom of my fun list.. especially when I HAVE to buy one..

 

Probably someone else.. it wasn't me. not sure about the car..

 

Alero issues? I know a bit about them:
V6 intake gaskets leak coolant into the engine oil.
Wheel bearings fail every couple years.
Brakes wear very rapidly.
Lots of electrical glitches - dash lights go on & off for no apparent reason, turn signals stop working, ignition switch issues.
Power windows are junk and regulators will need replacement.
Quarters will rust out in front of the wheelwells.
Suspension bushings and strut mounts will need replacement.
Aluminum wheels will corrode on the bead and lose seal regularly.
Steering rack will need replacement at some point.

On the other hand, the auto trans seems pretty darn durable and the 3400 V6 doesn't use a ton of gas and has decent pep. My 2001 has about 92K miles on it and is currently at the point where I'm unwilling to make any major repairs to it. Not worth it anymore and I don't really need it anyway.