Just when you thought the era of absurd car prices was winding down, Bring A Trailer serves up another head-scratcher: a practically untouched 2004 Oldsmobile Alero fetches a jaw-dropping $24,000.
The Last Gasp of Oldsmobile
If you've been keeping tabs on Bring A Trailer like I have, you'll know that while the market has cooled somewhat, there's still plenty of wild action to be found. From flippers trying their luck to enthusiasts convinced that high-mileage everyday cars are the next big thing, the site never fails to entertain. But this latest auction? It's a doozy.
Cast your mind back to 2004. General Motors was putting Oldsmobile out to pasture, and in a move that screamed "future collector's item," they released "Final 500" special editions for each model in the lineup. We're talking the Intrigue, Silhouette, Alero, Aurora, and Bravada. Someone, clearly thinking they were sitting on a gold mine, snagged one of these Final 500 Aleros and proceeded to do... absolutely nothing with it for the next two decades.
A Time Capsule on Wheels
This particular Alero rolled onto the Bring A Trailer auction block with a mere 84 miles on the odometer. You read that right – 84 miles. It's practically fresh out of the showroom, a living, breathing (well, not literally) testament to early 2000s GM engineering and design.
All Final 500 editions were decked out in Dark Cherry Red Metallic paint, because nothing says "farewell" quite like a color reminiscent of a well-aged wine. The interior? Light Neutral leather, naturally, with Oldsmobile heritage badging embroidered into the seatbacks. You know, in case you forgot what car you were sitting in.
Features That Scream 2004
The list of features reads like a greatest hits of early 2000s mid-range sedan options:
- 16-inch wheels (ooh, fancy)
- A rear spoiler (for all that high-speed Alero action)
- The "Sun & Sound" package, which translates to an upgraded stereo and a sunroof
- A "performance suspension" (paired with a blistering 200-horsepower 3.4-liter V6)
- A four-speed automatic transmission (because nothing says performance like four whole gears)
The $24,000 Question
Now, here's where things get truly bizarre. This automotive time capsule, this monument to GM's past, this... Alero... sold for a whopping $24,000. Let that sink in for a moment. Twenty-four thousand dollars. For an Oldsmobile Alero.
Strip away all the "Final 500" fanfare, and what are you left with? An Alero. A car that, even in its heyday, was about as special as a beige carpet in a doctor's waiting room. But slap on some commemorative badges and keep it in storage for 20 years, and apparently, it becomes a hot commodity.
A Tale of Three Owners
What's even more intriguing is the car's ownership history. Over the past two decades, this Alero has had three previous owners. The first two each held onto it for a decade, adding a grand total of 42 miles between them. It's like a high-stakes game of hot potato, with each owner hoping the next sucker – I mean, collector – would pay top dollar for this pristine piece of automotive history.
Some auction watchers were holding out hope that the final bid would approach the car's original MSRP of $26,400. They weren't far off – the $24,000 winning bid was just $2,400 shy of that mark. Imagine paying nearly full price for a 20-year-old car that wasn't particularly desirable when new. That's dedication. Or something.
To the Victor Go the Spoils?
To the lucky (?) winner of this auction, I offer my heartfelt congratulations. You are now the proud owner of what is quite possibly the most pristine Oldsmobile Alero on the planet. Whether that's something to brag about is entirely up to you.
I can't help but wonder what the future holds for this automotive curiosity. Will it continue its life as a garage queen, accumulating value at a glacial pace? Or will the new owner throw caution to the wind and actually drive the thing, experiencing the thrill of a 200-horsepower V6 and the cutting-edge technology of a 2004 GM product?
One thing's for sure – I'll be keeping an eye out for this Alero on Bring A Trailer in a few years' time. Something tells me its journey is far from over. After all, in the world of collector cars, sometimes the most unexpected vehicles become the stuff of legend. Or at least, the stuff of bemused head-shaking and incredulous forum posts.
So here's to you, 2004 Oldsmobile Alero Final 500 Edition. May your future be as bright as your Dark Cherry Red Metallic paint, and may your next owner find joy in your... Alero-ness. Just maybe don't expect another $24,000 payday anytime soon.
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