Best Years? Any Year To Avoid?

[mike2002]

typical question, but i did spend over a hour looking for it.....

any year to avoid? for relieablilty or anything else?

any "best" year?

i just found a black 4 door GLS, 70k, sunroof and leather for $6995 asking, which seems like a good deal because its the exact combo i want, but im a little weary of a first year model.....

looking at it today, so if anyone has any input, let me know!

thanks!

[bigd6983]

check the coolant and oil for any milky substance or sludge.......check how the starting is........check the brakes and see how they are and make sure the rotors arent going to need to be replaced asap because they tend to go out.........70K is right around where you want to get a lot of service as far as filters, maybe a fuel service, stuff like that........so just take it for a drive and check the things i told you.....

as far as bad years, they all suck lol jk..........just make sure everything looks ok

[Oldsmopimp]

I'm pretty sure '99 had the most problems and recalls. I may be wrong tho.......

If its a 3.4L like he sed^^^check out the coolant, also check for oil seapage where the Lower Intake Manifold meets the heads and block. Thats happens to all 3.4's as far as I know and it can be costly.

But other than I recommend an alero, they are really cheap now used, and they got style, especially the GLS.

[mike2002]

i just picked up a 2001 GLS, dk blue, 3.4, leather, moonroof, cd....brand new tires (saw the recipt for $503 1,000 miles ago) i guess every option, 70k for $7,000......seems like a good deal, ill be picking it up monday.

the off the line power is pretty good, it takes off pretty quick, but on the highway my aurora pulls pretty hard up till about 125 (then it goes into 4th gear) but the alero seems to run out of steem around 90ish

first thing it needs though.....firmer struts, with a slight drop. it leans ALOT in the corners, and maybe a light tint....stereo sounds pretty good for stock, how do i tell what stereo it has? its a cd/tape, looks like 4x6 components up front, not sure about the back, one big grille and 1 smaller sliver type grille in the back dash

[brsexton]

They may have changed alot of stuff from 99 as far as issues, but the brakes SUCK on all years 99-04. You would think that when all of the 99's and 2000's started having issues with the rotors warping, they would have fixed it by 03. :pissed:

[mike2002]

from like 50mph, i slammed on the brakes when doing a test drive, and it had enough power to lock up the tires on a highway pretty easy, untill abs kicked in, threw my forward, car has brand new 225/50/16 eagle ls tires... i thought it stopped FAST

or do you mean brake fad is bad? were the work fine, but easily warp.

[MikeSS]

Yeah, my 2003 seems to have less problems then my mom's '99........might have to do with there being less parts on the car, but so far so good.

[Steve03TropicTeal]

70k is a bad number.

personally i wouldnt keep an american car past 50k.

although my 03 GL ecotec seems to be running great! only have 23k miles though.

[FormulaNERD]

i bought mine with 65K, now has about 82K.... engine runs fine.

[MikeSS]

The '99 has about 110k (Miles, 170k kilometres)....whole runs fine, just one major brake failure replaced and a water pump.

[DCAleroGL]

Originally posted by brsexton@Aug 29 2004, 06:21 PM
They may have changed alot of stuff from 99 as far as issues, but the brakes SUCK on all years 99-04. You would think that when all of the 99's and 2000's started having issues with the rotors warping, they would have fixed it by 03. :pissed:
My 95 Olds Ciera and 98 Chevy Tracker had the exact same problem with the rotors, it ain't just the aleros. GM rotors are poorly constructed and they have no intention of changing them.

[justinusaf]

Brandis car is a 99 with 85k miles and we havent had any MAJOR problems. Just small things like brakes rotors etc

[OpalaAlero]

I have a 99 with 85,000 miles, and it never gave me any serious problems. I did buy it when it had 80,000 though so everything could have broken and then have been fixed.

[brsexton]

Originally posted by DCAleroGL+Aug 30 2004, 12:49 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (DCAleroGL @ Aug 30 2004, 12:49 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-brsexton@Aug 29 2004, 06:21 PM
They may have changed alot of stuff from 99 as far as issues, but theÂ;-) brakes SUCK on all years 99-04. You would think that when all of the 99's and 2000's started having issues with the rotors warping, they would have fixed it by 03.Â;-) :pissed:
My 95 Olds Ciera and 98 Chevy Tracker had the exact same problem with the rotors, it ain't just the aleros. GM rotors are poorly constructed and they have no intention of changing them. [/b][/quote]
I know ALOT of cars do have issues with rotors, but mine is just plain junk. I have had nothing but trouble with my brakes since 9k. I now have 26k and have had 2 sets of rotors and 2 sets of brake pads and they feel like they are warping again. The last time I bought raybestos rotors myself and used new GM pads and they are shaking at high speeds when I hit the brakes. So I guess that the GM pads are a BIG part of the rotor warp along with the cheap GM rotors. Who knows.......

[DCAleroGL]

Originally posted by brsexton@Aug 30 2004, 04:54 PM
... So I guess that the GM pads are a BIG part of the rotor warp along with the cheap GM rotors. Who knows.......
Could be, hadn't really thought about it. I have aftermarket pads (installed by used dealership) and the original rotors at 54K. I have a little warping and fade, but not as bad as my previous GM's, which only used GM pads/ rotors.
BTW, I have a 2000 coupe w/ 3400 auto. Bought @ 49K 4 months ago, have replaced the LIM gasket, blower resistor, and power steering pump. Despite this, I still absolutely love the car.

[mike2002]

question.....i have a 30 day 1000 mile warranty, so if the intake manifold gaskets go, there covered for the next month....how do you know if they're blown? what happens when they are?

[Steberino]

If your warranty is still active, I would get the Lower Intake Manifold Gasket fixed by the dealer right away. The gasket WILL fail more than likely. Why risk it? Go get it fixed for free while you have the option. They are EXPENSIVE repairs. I changed it myself and it's a very time-consuming job.

Ok, the technical part. You will know if LIM gasket has failed by:
1. Open the coolant reservoir cap and look at the anti-freeze in there and the cap. If you see brown/yellow/red sludge on the cap and in the tank, you have a bad LIM gasket.

2. Check the engine oil dipstick to see if there are foams and sludge. If there are, you have a bad LIM gasket.

3. In addition, look at the engine block and look for stains and puddles. Especially around IM bolts. If you see a little puddle anywhere, unless you've been driving in the rain, and smells like anti-freeze, you have a bad LIM gasket.

The numbers are in the order of certainty. If you have sludge and foam in your coolant reservoir and on engine dipstick, you DEFINITELY have a bad LIM gasket.

After confirming, go to the dealer and get that sucker fixed right away while it's free. Other than that, it's a good car and a fun car. V6's have nice pick up. Get front and back strut bars right away. My strut bars were worth every penny. Well, good luck to ya.

[Steberino]

Oh, about what happens if they are blown:

Anti-freeze will mix with engine oil and cause a breakdown in oil viscosity. Pretty soon, the oil isn't lubricating the engine and eventually, your engine seizes up. Your engine blows up.

[mike2002]

thanks steberino, one thing thats bothered me, the thing does not take corners worth crap...lol id like to do a drop with new struts, but i dont want a big drop, like 1-1.5", but ive had eibachs before, and i dont want a harsh ride, somthing still somewhat soft, its a alero not a vette.

ill take a look at the gaskets tomorrow, glad i found this out now

and yes, its a very fun car, has a ton of pickup down low, doesn't have to much on the highway though, but im used to a 95 aurora that pulled hard from 60-125, then slowed down on its way up to 140 where it was still stable....but it had no guts down low

[cwm33]

don't buy an 86 Alero...cause if someone is trying to sell you one, they are a filthy liar..there is no 86

[mike2002]

ok, i definatly have brown sludge on my coolant overflow tank cap.

the antifreeze itself is brownish, is that normal? i thought it was always green

nothing on the dipstick (except fresh oil, the dealer changed it about 600 miles ago)

didn't notice any puddles of anything, but i cant really see the back, and i dont know exactly were to look

i have about 700 miles left of my warranty, im considering bringing it to a different dealer, paying them to look at it and see if the gaskets or anything else is bad, since im sure there is a "technical" way to see if the gaskets are bad, i dont want to find out if my gaskets are bad 1 mile after my warranty runs up...lol

[3.4Alero]

The coolant should be orangish. It's dexcool, not typical ethylene glycol (green stuff). NEVER MIX THE 2. They gel when mixed.

Tell your dealer you want the system pressure tested to look for any leaks.

Look at your engine, where I've pointed it out in this pic, to see if there is oil leaking out of the gasket. (and look at the thread that this pic came out of for some more of MY experiance with the LIM gasket leak.)
http://invision.aleromod.com/index.php?showtopic=1596

http://invision.aleromod.com/uploads/post-11-1077747891.jpg

[Oldsman]

99's are known for leaking water in the car when it rains.

[glowbot]

I have a 99 alero bought it in Canada used had 72,000 KM on it now it has 98,000 and I have replaced my blower motor, AC had to be fixed 3 times still have probs with it, Rotors, needs breaks and a few other small things. I also have all the common problems with the 3.4L. Oh and one other thing sometimes I have a hard time with my drivers side window. Sometimes it won't go up and down and well stay like that for days lol. Oh and I have no leaks from my sun roof yet read someone said it's a big problem with aleros not mine.


Adam

[3.4Alero]

Originally posted by Oldsman@Sep 6 2004, 08:25 PM
99's are known for leaking water in the car when it rains.
My 2001 leaks water also.

[Oldsman]

did you get my pics and understand them, matt?

[3.4Alero]

Yea, and I tried the holes, but it still leaked. So I actually ended up shimming up where the two plastic pieces come together. Haven't had a problem since then, but we are getting hit with the remnants of Frances today and tomorrow, so that will be the true test.

[Oldsman]

did you notice if water was sitting in that seam in the rubber?Because was building upand then it would back up into the car or sometimes it would miss that part and build up right where the rubber and the 2 plastic piece come together so i fixxed that.

Also watch that the water isn't running under the plastic now.

[mike2002]

well, both sides are moist, the right side is wet/blackish right along that black line, which im assuming is the gasket....the lefts side, is moist too, but clear moist.... looks like ill be taking it to the dealer. ill have them take a look at the MAF sensor too, since 2 times now it didnt start the first time up

i know being 20, and having only 500 miles on my warranty there going to try to jerk me around, i can just feel it..... hopefully not, it is a rather nice, large mercedes/nissan dealerrship, not a run down one, so maybe they wont be shady.

thanks again for the help....i know this has been discussed a thousand times before, but im new to the whole alero scene..and its good you guys told me about this now!