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2002
Oldsmobile Alero

Starts at:
$17,805
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2dr Cpe GX
    Starts at
    $17,805
    25 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas 4-cyl
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn GX
    Starts at
    $17,805
    25 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas 4-cyl
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn GL1
    Starts at
    $19,605
    24 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas 4-cyl
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe GL1
    Starts at
    $19,855
    24 City / 32 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas 4-cyl
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn GL2
    Starts at
    $21,080
    25 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe GL2
    Starts at
    $21,080
    25 City / 33 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sdn GLS
    Starts at
    $22,145
    20 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2dr Cpe GLS
    Starts at
    $22,395
    20 City / 29 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

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2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero 2002 Oldsmobile Alero

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Expert 2002 Oldsmobile Alero review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

You do some things for pride. When loss is imminent, you try harder. You fight back, take a beating, but win some measure of self-respect.

Oldsmobile understands. It’s the oldest car division of General Motors Corp. It’s going out of business in three years — clobbered by falling sales, rising competition and GM’s bureaucracy.

The company’s executives allowed Olds to languish for a decade with noncompetitive products in a market increasingly influenced by innovative, sharply styled rivals. By the time GM realized its mistake in 1992, it was too late. Olds was a goner.

But it wasn’t going quietly. Olds stalwarts were determined to show their automotive prowess. They rolled out some winners — the Aurora, Intrigue and Alero sedans, and now the Alero coupe.

It’s a good way to say goodbye.

I drove two versions of the 2002 Alero coupe, an economical four-cylinder GX model and a surprisingly fast and agile V-6 GL2 Sport. Both were equipped with five-speed manual transmissions, rare gearboxes for Oldsmobile. Both were good values for the dollar.

I spent most of my time in the four-cylinder Alero GX. It came with one of GM’s newest engines, an all-aluminum, 2.2-liter 140-horsepower job that gets 25 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway when mated to the manual transmission. That is a 3-mpg increase for city travel and a 1-mpg gain for highway cruising over the four-cylinder engine previously used in Aleros.

Both the Alero GX and GL2 Sport hold 14.1 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline. I drove the Alero GX on a 500-mile round trip from Northern Virginia to New York City on 1 1/2 tanks of fuel, including gallons wasted in congestion on Interstate 95 and the New Jersey Turnpike.

Overall, it was a good drive. The GX’s cloth-covered front seats were comfortable. Road noise was minimal. Acceleration was competent, facilitating quick lane changes in traffic moving at about 70 mph.

I wound up feeling good about the car, only because I expected so little from it. I thought it would be heavy and loosely built in comparison to models such as the Honda Accord coupe. But the Alero GX actually weighed less — 2,946 pounds, vs. 2,967 for the comparable 2.3-liter, four-cylinder Accord.

The Alero GX also was just as tight as the Accord. There were no rattles, squeaks or anything of the sort. It also handled as well in crash-avoidance maneuvers (a normal part of driving on I-95) and in dense urban traffic.

The difference?

I would never park a Honda Accord overnight on a New York City street. Thieves adore that car as much as the buying public does. But I did park the Alero GX on West 86th on a Saturday night. It was in the same place Sunday morning with nary a fingerprint.

Therein lies the reason for Oldsmobile’s demise, and for GM’s continuing struggle to hold on to market share in the United States. No t much about the Alero GX inspires passion. It is a device, commodity, conveyance, an ascetic’s delight.

The Alero GX works well, and it would be a wise buy for anyone seeking a bargain on a compact coupe. But money isn’t everything in car sales.

The prospect of saving cash on gasoline does little to persuade consumers to buy the most fuel-efficient cars. The certainty of losing money at the gas pump does little to dissuade them from buying fuel-thirsty, full-size sport-utility vehicles.

Cars and trucks are sold on sex appeal, ego enhancement, emotion. Lose the emotion and the only thing left is to sell on price.

GM’s executives want to end that downward spiral, which is why they recently hired Robert Lutz to take over the company’s vehicle-development program. Lutz helped save Chrysler Corp. from bankruptcy with stylish models such as the Dodge Viper and the PT Cruiser.

Lutz is a legend but not a god. He might have arrived i time to help save GM from itself. But even with technically worthy cars such as the Alero, there is little he can do to resurrect Oldsmobile. That would take a miracle.

2002 Oldsmobile Alero review: Our expert's take
By

You do some things for pride. When loss is imminent, you try harder. You fight back, take a beating, but win some measure of self-respect.

Oldsmobile understands. It’s the oldest car division of General Motors Corp. It’s going out of business in three years — clobbered by falling sales, rising competition and GM’s bureaucracy.

The company’s executives allowed Olds to languish for a decade with noncompetitive products in a market increasingly influenced by innovative, sharply styled rivals. By the time GM realized its mistake in 1992, it was too late. Olds was a goner.

But it wasn’t going quietly. Olds stalwarts were determined to show their automotive prowess. They rolled out some winners — the Aurora, Intrigue and Alero sedans, and now the Alero coupe.

It’s a good way to say goodbye.

I drove two versions of the 2002 Alero coupe, an economical four-cylinder GX model and a surprisingly fast and agile V-6 GL2 Sport. Both were equipped with five-speed manual transmissions, rare gearboxes for Oldsmobile. Both were good values for the dollar.

I spent most of my time in the four-cylinder Alero GX. It came with one of GM’s newest engines, an all-aluminum, 2.2-liter 140-horsepower job that gets 25 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway when mated to the manual transmission. That is a 3-mpg increase for city travel and a 1-mpg gain for highway cruising over the four-cylinder engine previously used in Aleros.

Both the Alero GX and GL2 Sport hold 14.1 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline. I drove the Alero GX on a 500-mile round trip from Northern Virginia to New York City on 1 1/2 tanks of fuel, including gallons wasted in congestion on Interstate 95 and the New Jersey Turnpike.

Overall, it was a good drive. The GX’s cloth-covered front seats were comfortable. Road noise was minimal. Acceleration was competent, facilitating quick lane changes in traffic moving at about 70 mph.

I wound up feeling good about the car, only because I expected so little from it. I thought it would be heavy and loosely built in comparison to models such as the Honda Accord coupe. But the Alero GX actually weighed less — 2,946 pounds, vs. 2,967 for the comparable 2.3-liter, four-cylinder Accord.

The Alero GX also was just as tight as the Accord. There were no rattles, squeaks or anything of the sort. It also handled as well in crash-avoidance maneuvers (a normal part of driving on I-95) and in dense urban traffic.

The difference?

I would never park a Honda Accord overnight on a New York City street. Thieves adore that car as much as the buying public does. But I did park the Alero GX on West 86th on a Saturday night. It was in the same place Sunday morning with nary a fingerprint.

Therein lies the reason for Oldsmobile’s demise, and for GM’s continuing struggle to hold on to market share in the United States. No t much about the Alero GX inspires passion. It is a device, commodity, conveyance, an ascetic’s delight.

The Alero GX works well, and it would be a wise buy for anyone seeking a bargain on a compact coupe. But money isn’t everything in car sales.

The prospect of saving cash on gasoline does little to persuade consumers to buy the most fuel-efficient cars. The certainty of losing money at the gas pump does little to dissuade them from buying fuel-thirsty, full-size sport-utility vehicles.

Cars and trucks are sold on sex appeal, ego enhancement, emotion. Lose the emotion and the only thing left is to sell on price.

GM’s executives want to end that downward spiral, which is why they recently hired Robert Lutz to take over the company’s vehicle-development program. Lutz helped save Chrysler Corp. from bankruptcy with stylish models such as the Dodge Viper and the PT Cruiser.

Lutz is a legend but not a god. He might have arrived i time to help save GM from itself. But even with technically worthy cars such as the Alero, there is little he can do to resurrect Oldsmobile. That would take a miracle.

Safety review

Based on the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
4/5
Frontal passenger
4/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
3/5
Side rear passenger
3/5

Factory warranties

Basic
5 years / 60,000 miles
Corrosion
6 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
5 years / 60,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
5 years / 60,000 miles

Consumer reviews

3.8 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.2
Interior 3.6
Performance 3.8
Value 3.8
Exterior 4.3
Reliability 3.6

Most recent

  • 240k and still loves 70+mph!

    The car I bought from a good friend. It already had 230k on it. She runs like a top! The paint has not held up well at all. Several large patches where the paint has peeled off.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    7 people out of 8 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great product by genral motors nice daily driver o

    It?s a good car to start driving with cheap economical very reliable and good on fuel never had a problem with it the time I had min
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great Car!

    This is my first car. I got it in 2014. I had to replace the fuel pump at 140K miles. I am at 170K miles now. Having no issues anymore. The motor in my back window went out recently and my lock buttons don?t work. Just little things. Other than that, this is an amazing first car.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • most reliable car i have owned

    this car was affordable and fit my life very well it had air bags a v6 and was very reliable i would reccomend it to anyone and its too bad they dont make them anymore
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 2002 Oldsmobile Alero GL Coupe

    I bought this car new fresh out of college in 2002. So far as of yesterday I have 377421 miles on the Silver Bullet as I call him. On the highway I usually do 5 to 10 miles over the speed limit (never driving Ms. Daisy) and I always do the exact speed driving in town or the city. Just to let you know my driving habits. During my experience owning this car, I have run in to a few minor problems. The first being the SECURITY light flashing on the dash board that completely disables the car from starting. It happened at about 140K. To solve the problem: Take it to a GM or CHEVY dealer and have them re-program the security module: Cost me $70+ diagnostic fee of $65= $135 total repair. Second thing was the signal turns stopped working, there is a black box under the dash that controls the signal and hazard lights, cost about $200 for repair. I have only replaced my window motors once and that was at about 200K miles. Alternator replaced at 250K cost about $150. You must as with any car keep the regular maintenance. After my warranty expired (36K miles) I immediately dumped the oil that the dealer was using (Havoline) and started using Mobile One Fully synethetic oil (5w-30) costs about $30 for the 5 quart jug but it is worth the life of your vehicle trust me and FRAM brand oil filters. Still use to this day and you cannot hear the engine run. As a rule of thumb, I also start my car in the morning before leaving home and before leaving work and let it, I guess warm up and allow the oil to circulate for about 5 minutes max before pulling off. In the winter it is a little longer, just until the engine isles down below 1 on the tachometer. Also I change the air filters (FRAM brand) every time I get the oil changed. Transmission fluid, I have only had it topped off once. I have never had it flushed as the manual says to do. Regular Tune ups as scheduled, AC/Delco plugs and wires. Just this year, May/2016 I had the radiator flushed, new thermostat, new radiator hoses, and new reservoir for coolant as the old one started leaking all cost me: $500 So far, the car has actually paid for itself and it keeps on ticking. The key thing is to get the maintenance done and when something breaks get it fixed immediately or it will lead to more problems down the line. I hope this helps.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    1 person out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very Nice for the Money

    I love this car. It gets great gas mileage, drives and handles well and has a good sound system. My model is the GL2. The only complanits i have with this car is that the windows get stuck closed and the security system sometimes prevents you from starting it. i solved this by cutting the wire and putting a switch to turm it off.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Oldsmobile Alero review

    The vehicle its self is very comfortable and reliable I enjoy driving it and it is excellent on gas! The only problem i have had is with the signal lights but that might be just my car. I would recommend this car to anyone who needs a good first car or a car that is good on gas. Definitely a good choice of purchase.:)
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Dependable car

    I bought my 02 Olds 2 1/2 yrs. ago with 93,000. I had to give it up due to the engine dying w/ 114,000 on the highway. So sad, I wish GM kept Olds and Pontiac. Since these cars are quickly phasing out, I couldn't find a used engine with less then what I had on mine. Great first car for a new driver, wish I still had mine.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • got the most out of my alero gx 2002

    First let's look at the negatives. The windows were poorly made as the ceramic part falls off and needed to get it fixed twice. The intereior is below average and you need to understand the pass lock sensor which has prevented me from starting my car on more than a ffew occasions. If you googe this there is a wire you can cut to stop that or just wait the 10 minutes until the flashing secruity light stops flashing. (see manual). These are the negatives with the car. Also the blinkers seem to have problems as this has been documented with other owners. The positives are if you get routine high mileage oil changes and the preventive maintance needed this car runs like a champ! I have 263,700 and counting and will run the car until it dies. This car handles very well.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Relieble BMW Killer

    I have owned a V-6 Alera for nearly 10 years and have put 112,000 miles on it. Not once has it failed to start. Not once has it broken down. Except for brakes and tires most of the key parts are original. I replaced the water pump at 95,000 miles only because the serpentine belt needed changing. I replaced the starter motor at 93,000 miles. And I replaced the struts at 98,000. The car matches BMW in handling, out excelerates equivalent size and age BMWs, and out brakes them. It has been cheap to keep. In contrast, BMWs are not cheap to keep even it they are dependable. Maintenance on the Alero is minimal. No tune up for 100,000 miles, No transmission fluid change for 100,000 miles and not coolant change for 150,00- miles or five years, what ever occurs first. So, if you want a car that drives like a sled - stickes to the road and handles well with a great sound system, try a low-mileage Alero. You will be pleasantly surprised.F
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Don't buy this car, you will regret it!

    I bought this car used about eight months ago with 90,000 miles on it. I have had all sorts of issues with it. -No matter how many times I replace the motors in the power windows, they go out. -Have security issues, I have to reset the car often just so it will start. -Traffic signals have a mind of their own and only work when they want to. As for the motor, it has a lot of get-up-and-go, but still not enough to cancel out all the bad.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Not so great

    Bought this car in 2007 with only 35,000 miles. Figured I would have no problems for a while, but when I hit $75,000 the engine died and I had to replace it. 3 out of the 4 windows broke and they cost $450 each to fix (ceramic pieces holding the window on the track broke off - had to special order the parts since windows aren't made with ceramic anymore). Temperature gauge was always jumping up and down. Blinkers would work when they wanted to. I had nothing but problems since I hit 60,000 miles. Got great gas mileage though.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?

The 2002 Oldsmobile Alero is available in 4 trim levels:

  • GL1 (2 styles)
  • GL2 (2 styles)
  • GLS (2 styles)
  • GX (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero?

The 2002 Oldsmobile Alero offers up to 25 MPG in city driving and 33 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero reliable?

The 2002 Oldsmobile Alero has an average reliability rating of 3.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2002 Oldsmobile Alero owners.

Is the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. 70.8% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.8 / 5
Based on 24 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.2
  • Interior: 3.6
  • Performance: 3.8
  • Value: 3.8
  • Exterior: 4.3
  • Reliability: 3.6
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