Best Engine?

08-05-2004, 02:31 PM

euh i'm a bit uncertain..i wanna buy an Alero 1999 or 2000 and i'm still uncertain what is the best choice between a 2.2, 2.4 or 3400 v-6. If I choose a 2.2 or 2.4 it will probably be a manual transmission but if it's better with the V6 i'll have to drive auto...what u peeps have and what u think is best...i don't want extreme performance from my olds but i want it durable and not always to the mecanic shop...sorry if there is some english mispelling or sentense non-sense but english is my second language so...thx

08-05-2004, 02:34 PM

If you are restricting yourself to those model years then the 2.2L is out, so that just leaves you to decide 2.4L or 3.4L. I would get the 3.4L for the added power.

08-05-2004, 02:41 PM

Is that make a big diference? I mean is there more torque or something like that

jamcllw · 08-05-2004, 02:44 PM

The v6 has more torque and hp. The v6 also has lots of low end grunt that the 4 bangers don't.

Sundayalero · 08-05-2004, 02:47 PM

I would only get the 4 if you HAD to have a manual tranny...

jamcllw · 08-05-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sundayalero@Aug 5 2004, 01:47 PM
I would only get the 4 if you HAD to have a manual tranny...

He really has no choice if he wants the manual tranny. They only came on the 4s.

08-05-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

The v6 also has lots of low end grunt

<--What's that?

ok, so 2.4 is not really good then?It's better to get a V6 if i well understand? Oh well..is the V6 use a lot of gas?like how many /mile if anyone know?

08-05-2004, 03:14 PM

Overall, the V6 3.4L will tend to use more fuel than a 4-cylinder 2.4L, but the trade-off is more power and torque.

08-05-2004, 03:19 PM

so bluephoam u get a 2.4 eh? u like it??

08-05-2004, 03:26 PM

Also the manual transmissions were not available on the 99 and 00's. The manual's started with the 01's. There are more parts readily available for the 2.4 vs the 3400, so if you want to mod the 2.4 is the way to go. I also believe the 2.4 will be less expensive in the long run as far as gas and maintenance.

08-05-2004, 03:35 PM

I own a 2001 2.4L. It's at about 65k miles right now. The only problem I had with it was the fuel pump dying and my hazard switch which I have yet to get fixed. It's a nice car.. really quiet in the low end, but when it gets up there in rpm, it can have a really mean sound (especially if you replace the stock intake). It averages about 350 miles/tank from driving a mix of city and highway.

08-05-2004, 05:25 PM

I got a V-6 i like it....

Oldsman · 08-05-2004, 05:45 PM

i would recommend the 2.4 the 3400 has more torque and a little more hp but the intake manifold gasket doesn't leak on the 2.4

I got 98,000 on my 2.4 and it runs great. a very reliable motor. More reliable than the 3400.

why do i say that..........3400 is known for intake manifold gasket leaking, hard starts, ruff idle. the 2.4 is not

Oh and mid year 00 the 2.4 was available with the 5-spd. but not many knew.

j{}n · 08-05-2004, 06:17 PM

i completely agree with scott, the 2.4 is way more reliable. if i was buying another alero, and had the choice between the 2.4 and the 3400, i'd definitely get another 2.4. the 3400 only has 20hp more. sure, it has around 200 lb-ft. of torque, but come on, 170hp out of a 3.4? as opposed to 150hp out of a 2.4? geez. i've raced a 3.4, and in the higher rpms, they aren't anything special. we actually stayed about even. plus, there's the head gasket leaks, rough idle, etc. etc. you'll find more questions in the troubleshooting section from 3.4 owners than 2.4.

2.4 is also way easier to mod, due to it being in cavy's and sunfires.

turtles_ride · 08-05-2004, 07:29 PM

add had the 2.4 in my cav, and it was plenty ballsy for that car. But the alero is so much bigger and heavier, i think the 2.4 didn't seem powerful enough for the alero. My seals went but they wre replaced by the dealership. other then that i haven't had any problems with my car and i bought it brand new in 2000. Plus if you want a used car thats's gonna last longer, i'd recommend the 3.4 v6, in my opinion too many kids run the snot out of 2.4's cuz their cheaper to buy, and then unload them after they've been abused. A v6 won't be damaged as much by the same high revving. so NEW i might buy a 2.4, but used i'd definately go with the 3.4 v6

jackal2000 · 08-05-2004, 07:58 PM

i have the 3400 and the only problems i have had are an outer tie rod start to go (i had it fixed before it went completely) and a rough start here and there. if you turn the key to "on" and let the injectors prime it helps out with the rough start issue. btw, there are over 55k miles on my car.

08-05-2004, 09:19 PM

Ya the only thing i had is the gasket leak thats it.....

Overall i like the V-6

FormulaNERD · 08-05-2004, 11:44 PM

if you want to mod, spring the extra cash on the 2.2 eco, even though its not in your 99-00 range. if not i'd go with the 3400, i have it and i love it.

08-06-2004, 12:03 AM

My advice would be to save a little extra for a 5 speed ecotec 2.2L alero, good performance and fun to drive, I have an automatic 2.2L ecotec alero and have not had any troubles with the car and that engine has the most potential of all, theres a cavy in the pro drag circuit that uses the ecotec engine and its runnin well over 1200hp. If you are goin for performance, the best bet is for an automatic over a 5 speed because its going to be more reliable and take a little less abuse, but the downside is its not as fun as the 5 speed. IMO its 6 to one, half a dozen to another on the tranny for ecotecs....

cherrington17 · 08-06-2004, 01:24 PM

personally i own the 3.4V6. i used to have a 2.2L 4 banger cavalier and i like the V6 better. more power, yeah, but it also rides much smoother.
plus when you have that jackass ahead of you doing 10 under the speed limit, its got more then enough balls to blow past him...lol