Recently, my low-coolant light had been coming on while driving. Oddly enough, it would tend to come on but then turn off a few seconds later. Since my car is still under warranty, I scheduled an appointment with the dealership for Saturday.
I took the car in yesterday morning and after only about an hour, they came in to tell me that there was a leak in my manifold and that they’d need to replace something (perhaps the manifold, I can’t remember). However, that would apparently take six hours and so they suggested that I pick it up on Monday. They have an on-site rental-car agency and they got me a Grand Am (all under warranty, of course).
Around 3:00pm yesterday, they called to say that the mechanic working on my car got some extra help later in the day and the two of them were able to finish quickly. Pleasantly surprised, I drove back to the dealership to turn in the rental car and pick up my Alero.
I signed off on the paperwork and drove out. The upcoming traffic light turned yellow as I neared, so I planted my foot to the floor to ensure that I made the light. However, as the tach approached the redline impending the gear-change, the “Service Engine Soon” light came on (blinking, no less). So, I made a quick U-turn and drove right back to the dealership.
I explained to them about the warning light and they quickly apologised and took my car back the shop. After ten or fifteen minutes, they explained that one of my cylinders was misfiring but that it was fine during their test runs around the parking lot. Gee, I wonder why it started misfiring when I used it? ;)?
So, they arranged for another loaner car — a Vibe, this time. Once again, they promised that my car would be fixed on Monday. Though I don’t entirely regret my decision to buy an Alero, I’m having my doubts. It’s been in the shop a few times, and I just get the feeling that GM/Oldsmobile cuts corners in their workmanship and quality control.
Please remind me not to buy GM next time ;). Nah, I’m just kidding… You won’t have to remind me <g>.
Ahh good ole coolant light coming on….my car was doing this a few months ago and apparently the radiator had a big air pocket in it….easy to fix. just run the car with the radiator cap off for about 15 mins.
Good thing your under warranty. A cylinder misfiring is very expensive to fix.
Your next car should be the RX-8…go rotary, piston engines have to many parts (over 40 moving parts to the engine), rotary has 3 parts :)
How may times did I tell you to buy a Honda?
No…..really….how many times?
How many?
*grin*
Shane: Kidding aside, I’ve heard fantastic things about the RX-8. And, yeah, it’s on the short-list of cars I’m considering (though buying a new car is still years off).
And, Josh, you’re right ;). An accord or even a Civic Si (ahh) would probably have suited me better. But, in my defense, there weren’t so many obviously good cars back in 2000 — these days, there’s the Mini (for the under-$20k category), the Subaru WRX and the Acura RSX (in the low-to-mid $20s) and the RX8 (in the upper $20s).
I purchased a 2002 Alero from Dan Cummins in Paris KY two years ago. On a long road trip vacation, I ran it over its 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. When I got back it was on 37,000 miles.
I didn’t drive it for a few days after I returned home. When I opened the door I was horrified to see that the dash and three door pads had come unglued and buckled.
GM said they gave an extended 5yr or 60,000 mile warranty on the Alero right? Well, that extended warranty does not cover the poor factory workmanship and materials used for the dash and door pads.
If you are over the 3 yr or 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty–the dealer or GM will not fix their factory defects.
You end up being stuck with a car that is falling apart from the inside out with no recourse.
Check out the pictures of a less than two year old Oldsmobile 2002 Alero at http://www.alero.com and judge for yourself.
If after looking at the pictures of my Alero and you still want to buy one because they are selling so cheap now as people are dumping them ASAP–make sure you get it in writing from the dealer that they will fix your dash and door pads if they should come unglued and buckled.
If they want give you a written guarantee to fix it for you if it is defective–pass it up and look somewhere else for a car unless you want to end up with a really crappy looking car like mine has become because of the poor factory workmanship and materials used to build this 2002 Alero.