Industructable so far

  After a short and extremely bad relationship with a VW Golf my wife and I finally purchased the right car in 2004. My wife listened to her Dad and we went with an American car. I personally am a Ford man but hey , she has to drive it... it is her choice. With Oldsmobile going by the wayside, most dealers were cutting the price to rid themselves from the inventory. Besides all mechanical parts are interchangeable with other GM`s and the body parts are still available and will be for some time.   

    My wife choose the deluxe cloth seating surfaces in the color tan. The car came with front bucket seats that are both power adjustable. The rear seat is the standard bench style with provisions to seat 3 in the rear , making this a five passenger car. I am 6'4" and I am NOT a small person. I find this car very easy to get in and out of. we have driven to events with five people in the car with no one complaining about comfort.         

     The fit and finish of the car is exceptional. The body lines of the car are smooth and even. One option that we have that serves  a very unusual purpose is the rear spoiler. I have driven Alero`s with and with out the spoiler and I have found that the spoiler helps you judge distance while backing up and using the rear view mirror... go figure. I have talked to other Alero owners and Grand Am owners and most think the spoiler thing is a little strange but no one seems to be knocking it.          

      Our Alero came with the 3.4L V6 FI engine. It has an advertised rating of 170 hp. It also has the 4 speed automatic transmission. This combination is fantastic. It is never lacking of power and is also very easy when it comes to the gas pump. We also have traction control which my wife raves is the greatest asset in snowy weather. The wife admits it is not as good as my 4x4 but it is by far the best snow handling car she has ever driven. She likes it better than my sisters Subaru Outback which she got to drive in a mid-west snow squall.    
      

     Maintenance has been a dream compared to her last few cars. We always follow the factory maintenance guidelines. We have had to do nothing out of the ordinary in 68K miles. It is always the basics, Oil, Oil Filter, Air Filter, Rotate tires, one set of brake pads and one Fuel filter (so far). The last cars my wife had were always in need of 2 to 3 hundred dollars of repair every 20K miles and 5 hundred to one thousand dollars at 50K miles. The biggest bill so far was $275 and we did all of the above. It sure is nice not having to buy $25 foreign oil filters.          

      In a nut shell for 68K miles and five years I have not had a wifes car related headache. My daughter is almost driving age and I feel this would be a great first car. Our problem will be finding something that is as sporty, stylish, safe, dependable and economical as the 2004 Alero. Will we find another gem like the Alero or will we be stuck with rubble like the ones before.... I think I will invite my father-in-law over for supper when the time comes... worked last time.