2004 Oldsmobile Alero GL

Oldsmobile Alero GL (2004)
for sale

Price: US $1,700.00

Description:

Up for sale is my 2004 Oldsmobile Alero. This is the GL2 trim model with a 3.4L V6 and 4-speed automatic. This car came to me from my dad who won it in a raffle in May 2014 in Wyoming. He gave it to my wife and I and we drove it in Michigan from July 2014 till now. It's been in Washington just over a year and is currently registered and insured here. In spite of being in Michigan for a couple of years, it is free of rust. From what I can determine, it has spent most of its life in Wyoming and Montana, though one of the service records I have seems to suggest that it spent some time in Tennessee, too.
When I got the car, it had about 181, 000 miles on it. I've done my best to take good care of it, but it has a few quirks that come with a high mileage car built by GM in this particular era. I have had problems with overheating on summer days climbing steep passes, but no internal damage was suffered. Oil shows no signs of coolant mixture. In November 2015 I had Tom's Chevron flush out the radiator (service record available) and that has seemed to help the cooling issues a bit. Since then I've driven the car to TriCities numerous times, and also to Seattle and Boise. No problems getting over Snoqualmie, Tollgate, or Cabbage Hill. It may run warm, like up to about 215 degrees (190 is when the thermostat opens) but it will usually sit right between 195 and 205. My guess is that another good radiator flush would help even more.
In May 2016, I had the front wheel bearings replaced by Les Schwab in College Place (service record available). They informed me that the front pads and rotors needed replaced, so I performed that repair myself. I have put a couple thousand miles on the car since then and the brakes have performed very well with only the occasional squeak. Maybe because of the ceramic pads I put on it? Parts installed were from AC Delco.
I have also replaced the fuel pressure regulator in this car. When I first got it, it was a little leaky and you could smell gas in the cabin. The new part fixed that problem. I also replaced the coolant overflow cap in my pursuit to cure my cooling problems, but the Murray cap that I bought didn't seem to fit very well and also didn't seem to change anything, so I put the stock one back on. I'm happy to include the aftermarket cap in the sale, however.
The right front rim has a little chunk out of it, but I've never had any issues with leakage on any of the tires, so it seems to be just a cosmetic issue. The car does have its share of little nicks, dings, and scrapes all around, including some low on the front of the hood that have cut through the paint.
Oil was changed and transmission fluid was topped off a couple months ago, so it won't need that for a while. It will need four new tires soon. As much as I have done to the rest of the car, I admit I have neglected the tires. This car has a weird size, 225/50R16. So your choices are pretty limited when it comes to replacing them. Tread depth is about 3/32 or so right now. The accessory belt may need replaced soon, too, but that's not official.
Okay, enough crappy things! Good things! I have seen 34 mpg on the highway with this car, which is not bad for a pushrod V6 from the stone age. Most often though, I see about 21 around town, or high 20s when I'm taking a trip to TriCities and back. In the wintertime, it will do high teens around town. It's a good car for running around, doing errands, getting to work and back, etc. The engine pulls well and sounds kind of good. Trunk space is decent and the rear seats fold down. One of my favorite features of this car is that the computer monitors oil life for you. When it senses that the oil is getting old and not as effective, it will turn a dash light on telling you to change the oil. I like this because it's the car telling you what it needs based on how you drive, not the shop prescribing a certain way of doing things.
I have gotten compliments on this car's looks and condition for what it is. I even cleaned up real nice one time and entered it in an all-Oldsmobile show back in Lansing summer before last, which was kind of fun.
Other significant features:
6-way power driver's seat
One-touch driver's window
Keyless entry (I have two keys, but just one remote)
Automatic headlamps
Traction control (with on/off button)
Child seat anchors
Window tinting (aftermarket)
AM/FM/CD (CD player doesn't work - if you put a disc in, you might not ever see it again)

update: 2017-02-06

Features:

Condition:UsedYear: 2004
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): 1G3NL52E74C235079Mileage: 205,442
Transmission: AutomaticMake: Oldsmobile
Body Type: SedanModel: Alero
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warrantyTrim: GL
Vehicle Title: ClearEngine: 3.4L
Options: CD PlayerDrive Type: FWD
Safety Features: Anti-Lock Brakes, Driver Airbag, Passenger AirbagPower Options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
Exterior Color: RedFuel Type: Gasoline
Interior Color: GrayFor Sale By: Private Seller
Number of Cylinders: 6Disability Equipped: No

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