Founded in 1897, Oldsmobile was one of General Motors’ oldest brands until it was defunct in the mid-2000s due to dwindling sales. With that in mind, one of the final Olds products ever offered was the 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, and now, one such example has been listed for auction online.
Posted on Bring a Trailer, this Alero is actually a Final 500 Edition model, making it one of the last 500 Alero – as well as Oldsmobile – units ever manufactured. With just 84 miles on the odometer, this special sedan features a clean Virginia title and an accident-free Carfax report.
Starting with the exterior, this Alero is coated in the Dark Cherry Metallic paint color, the same hue as all other Final 500 Edition examples. Unique model-specific badging can be found on the front fenders and trunk, along with a rear decklid spoiler and polished exhaust tips. Interestingly, there appear to be paint touch-ups on the hood.
As for rollers, the polished 16-inch alloy wheels are highlighted by Final 500 Edition center caps and wrapped in Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. Four-wheel antilock discs provide stopping power, while an optional sport suspension system sits at all four corners.
Moving to the interior, the Light Neutral leather upholstery appears to be in excellent condition, with “Oldsmobile Final 500” embroidered on the backrests. Creature comforts include a six-way power-adjustable driver seat, split-folding rear seat, air conditioning, cruise control, and the Sun & Sound Package, which added a sunroof, a CD/cassette stereo, and an eight-speaker premium sound system.
Under the hood lies the naturally aspirated 3.4L V6 LA1 gasoline engine, which, when new, developed 170 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission directs said output to the front wheels.
So, what say you, dear reader? Does this 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Final 500 Edition boast intrinsic value as one of the last Oldsmobile vehicles ever produced, or is it just another badge-engineered Olds? Vote in the poll below, and let us know what you’re thinking in the comment section.
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Comments
Nice looking design even after all these years. Interior design is beautiful. GM should have used used Oldsmobile as an upscale companion brand for Saturn.
Well both brands ultimately died anyway. So I’m not sure how that would’ve helped much. And pretty much by the time Olds was dying, GM had already dealt the death blow to Saturn by making it just another badge engineered GM brand. I love the original, Saturn-only designs of the S-Series and Vue. Once a saturn was just a rebadge of another GM vehicle, what was the point of the brand even existing.
I think the main issue with Saturn is that when the customer wanted to move up to a more luxurious vehicle, Saturn had a very sparse lineup to the end. People loved Saturn, but their choices were limited if they wanted something more premium.
Had to go check the listing to see if it was the very last Oldsmobile built. It’s not, it’s number 415/500. Immaculate condition though. Nice to see there are a small handful of people out there who know to take great care of however many Final 500s survive today, unlike majority of car owners who don’t care for their cars and prefer to run them into the ground.
That is one nice car. Fantastic color combo and a nice send off package trim.
What was different from any other Alero except the Final 500 centerpieces on the wheels and exterior badging?
You named it. There was also embroidery on the seats unique to the “Final 500” editions. But other than that, literally nothing. Across all models, the Final 500 editions were all painted this color. But I don’t believe the color was specific to JUST the 500s.
Back when GM actually gave a darn about there cars with send off editions. These came with specific cherry red paint, 16″ chrome wheels, special badging, special floormats, tan leather embroidered seats and were attached to top of line GLS models with the 3400 V6 and all the other std features of that model. I remember seeing these, the Aurora’s and Intrigues brand new 20 plus years ago at a former larger Oldsmobile dealer near Albany, NY. They were nice cars
They also have the classic “Oldsmobile” logo on the front seats and special “Oldsmobile Final 500” front floormats. And, of course, the special Black Cherry color!
I bought a 2002 Final 500 Intrigue last year (#17) at a Copart in Pennsylvania for $1,500. It has 36,212 miles and front-end damage with no airbag deployment. Already repaired to showroom condition.
While we didn’t have a final 500 version, my parents did have a 2dr Alero at one point in Auburn Mist. The color was stunning in person with a tan interior. I drove it from time to time and really felt like it was a nice car, and dare I say “sporty” for its time.
I owed two Aleros. Excelent cars.
I owned an Alero as well. Fantastic car, great V6 engine with good power and fuel economy!
As with any vehicle from this era, someone will hopefully become its new owner, but the field of buyers are very narrow because…well, what do you do with this vehicle once you’ve got it? You could just drive it, but why do that when newer cars have many upgrades that we use today, to let it sit in your garage expecting it to go way up
In value is just plain crazy, it ain’t happening.
So once you’ve eliminated all of the stupid stuff you’re left with…not too many more choices.
I hope it goes to a good home, it certainly deserves it, maybe take it to a few special car shows where it would be appreciated would be a fitting way to enjoy it.
Rick. Well said. That is the exact problem with these tweener cars (ones that aren’t quite classic enough and may never be worth huge money, but yet way too nice to just give to little Tommy to drive).
That 3400 was a potent engine. I loved the torque it had right from down low till you really gunned it. Passing was so easy on the highway. Miss my 2002 GLS, served my family well for 180,000 miles over 14 years.