1999 - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Pre-Owned

As expected, the Alero's domestic roots cheat it out of supportive bucket seats, as side bolstering is pretty well

As with any used car, it's a good idea to look for a fully loaded model. (Photo: General Motors)

nonexistent and the cushions are a little too squishy for my liking. This is unfortunate being that the Alero handles quite well, due to its rigid unibody construction, independent suspension setup and responsive rack and pinion steering. It offers a nice ride too, plus is quite quiet for the category.

When buying used it's always a good idea to go for a fully loaded car, as the price difference from base to top-tier is rarely a major investment. In Alero-speak that would be the GLS, with GX being the base car and GL the mid-priced entry. That said even the bottom feeder was well equipped, with four-wheel disc brakes and ABS, air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo, power door locks, tilt steering and a stock security system. The top-of-the-line GLS is nicely outfitted, with leather upholstery no less. A sport suspension was available also, doing a good job of Europeanizing the suspension, making it a great deal more fun to drive than stock.

So in the end, the Alero is a decent car for the money. How much? Well that depends on if you're buying new or used. That's right. There are still some new examples available which can be had for amazing deals, as would be expected of a division going out of business.

There are still some new examples available that can be had for amazing deals, as would be expected of a division going out of business. (Photo: General Motors)

Those not concerned about the peace of mind provided by a full new car warranty can take advantage of the immediate depreciation discount. Amazingly there are a lot of 2004 models available on the used market, with an AutoTrader.com price average of only $12,400. Yes, that's right, a near-new midsize car with close to a full warranty for about the same price as a barebones Kia Spectra. Prices are all over the map of course, something I found out during a quick scan of various classified ad services across the nation, where prices ranged from as low as $2,500 for a 1999 model to as high as $18,000 for a brand new 2004 top-line GLS. Of course, there are plenty of prices in between, depending on model year, mileage, features, and most importantly just how desperate the buyer is to sell.