2002 OLDSMOBILE ALERO GLS
By Brendan/Mikele Hagin
SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price $20,840
Price As Tested $ 23,680
Engine Type OHV 12-valve 3.4 Liter V6 w/SMFI*
Engine Size 205 cid/3350 cc
Horsepower 170 @ 4800 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 200 @ 4000 RPM
Wheelbase/Width/Length 107.0"/70.1"/186.7"
Transmission Four-speed automatic
Curb Weight 3102 pounds
Fuel Capacity 14.3 gallons
Tires (F/R) P225/50R16
Brakes (F/R) Disc (ABS)/disc (ABS)
Drive Train Front-engine/front-wheel-drive
Vehicle Type Five-passenger/four-door
Domestic Content N/A
Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) 0.32
PERFORMANCE
EPA Economy, miles per gallon
city/highway/average 21/32/27
0-60 mph 8.5 seconds
1/4 mile (E.T.) 16.5 seconds @ 84.5 mph
Top-speed 105 mph
* Sequential multi-point fuel injection
BRENDAN - Oldsmobile's are not the most popular of General Motor's
vast models selection and it's understandable. GM has starved the
company for years in spite of the fact that not long ago the Olds
Cutlass models were among the top five sellers in the country. But the
marque has its followers. Mikele's grandmother and her cousin own
Oldsmobiles, and they love them. The 2002 Olds Alero GL, our tester this
week, is available in two lineup versions, the GX and the GL. Standard
in the GX is the 2.2-liter four cylinder that also comes in the GL, but
our car was powered by a serviceable 3.4 liter V6. Its 170 horsepower
and 200 pound feet of torque seem low if you compare them to the GM
muscle machines of the past, but it's enough to get the car moving when
quick response is needed. Our test GL had a special luxury package so an
"S" suffix was added.
MIKELE - Bren, Grandma's old Olds 88 is comfortable and pleasant to
drive, but it's nothing like the Alero in terms of get up and go.
coupled to a smooth shifting, tall-geared four-speed automatic
transmission, it gets 20 miles per gallon city and 29 highway. I liked
the ride. It has true four-wheel independent suspension without a
stop-gap twist axle in back. The system lets each wheel respond
independently on uneven road surfaces, allowing for a smoother
all-around feel. It also has a variable effort power rack-and-pinion
steering system that varies the power assist by the speed of the car. It
gives more assist at lower speeds, like maneuvering into a parking
space, and less assist at higher speeds, like while driving on a
highway. The Alero is quite cost effective in the maintenance
department, with platinum tipped spark plugs that let the Alero to go up
to 100,000 miles between spark plug replacements. Its coolant, brake
fluid and automatic transmission fluid are formulated to last up to
100,000 or more as well. But I still think that it lulls a driver into a
false sense of security so the car should still be serviced at least
every 3,000 miles.
BRENDAN - You sound more like my dad all the time, Mikele. I liked
the luxury of the Alero's roomy five-passenger interior, with many items
to gain my attention. The high quality sound system that features a CD
player standard can have six to eight speakers available, depending on
model. Solar-coated, tinted glass reduces interior heat and make the
inside cooler in the summer months. The positive shut-off vents in the
dash and air conditioning help keep cabin occupants comfortable and the
heating system has rear-seat heat ducts for faster warm-up in the rear
seat area. All the normal stuff is included, like power locks, windows,
and mirrors, as well as tilt steering wheel and cruise control. A bonus
for guys my size the six-way power front driver's seat and the rear
seats have a 70/30 split so you can carry long cargo without losing the
entire rear seating area.
MIKELE - Those rear seats that fold down are ideal for when I go
shopping, because like your mom, I tend to grocery-shop infrequently but
load up when I do. I never thought much of the past Oldsmobiles in terms
of exterior beauty, but the new Alero is a pretty machine. The smooth
lines make it stand up to all those euro-luxury vehicles from Germany,
and the polished sixteen-inch aluminum wheels make it a cool looking
ride. Safety- wise, the Alero has it all. From front and rear crush
zones, steel door beams and interior padding, it make it safe when it's
out in the wild world of freeway driving. Dual front air bags and
four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are also included and so is all-speed
traction control. All-Trac helps to minimize wheel-spin any time when
the car gets into a precarious road-surface situation.
BRENDAN - The new Alero is a very classy car, Mikele. Maybe we can
talk your grandmother into trading in her old Delta 88 for a new Alero.
MIKELE - I doubt that very much, Brendan. She's pretty practical and
I don't think she'd want to take on car payments at her age.