- sedan 163,105
- Bel Air, MD
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- autoshopper.com
- sedan 163,105 gasoline manual
2001 oldsmobile alero review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. Performance, style, and value. introductionthe alero is one of oldsmobile's better efforts. It delivers good mid-range power, a smooth-shifting transmission and positive steering feedback, as well as a roomy back seat, an attractive interior and a sizeable trunk. alero, aurora, and intrigue are some of the better domestic designs, so it's a shame to see oldsmobile go from that standpoint. Each is available in three trim levels, gx, gl, and gls. Prices for sedans and coupes are the nearly the same. Sedan prices: gx 17,210); gl 18,620); gls 21,965). a 150-horsepower, 2. 4-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard on gx and gl. A 170-horsepower 3. 4-liter v6 is optional on the gl 655) and standard on the top-of-the-line gls. new for 2001 is a 5-speed manual transmission, standard on the base-model gx and available on gl trim. The alero coupe competes with the dodge stratus, honda accord coupe and toyota solara. walkaroundalero 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. Enormous tail lamps are by far the alero's strongest design element; they 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. interioraurora's influence on the alero carries through to the expensive-looking interior. 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. Both the radio and climate control switchgear are redesigned for the 2001 model year. 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 the suspension system 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. Getrag, a german manufacturer renowned for superb manual gearboxes, builds it, and 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. 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. But buy one soon, as oldsmobile's days are numbered. model lineupcoupe: gx 17,210); gl 18,620); gls 22,190);sedan: gx 17,210); gl 18,620); gls 21,965). assembled inlansing, michigan. options as testedsuspension package 250); power sunroof 700). model testedalero gls sedan 21,965). Anti-lock Brakes✔ Climate Control✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
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