Overview & Reviews

At the dawn of the automobile, Oldsmobile was there. Owned by General Motors, Oldsmobile was the most senior domestic marque and one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, with a run that spanned some 107 years.

Ransom E. Olds was born in Ohio, but moved to Lansing, Michigan, to work in his father's machine shop. His experiences there helped whet his appetite for all things automotive, and he soon garnered enough expertise to develop a gasoline-powered vehicle. Joining forces with other partners, Olds cofounded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in 1897. By the early 1900s, the company had introduced the nation to upscale models like the Curved Dash and had risen to become the best-selling car company in the United States.

Ransom Olds eventually left the company and it was sold to General Motors in 1908, where it became known as the Oldsmobile Division. More than ever, Oldsmobile became the brand of choice for car buyers seeking vehicles steeped in luxury and sophistication. Early models like the 1915 Model 42 Touring Roadster offered sleek lines and style aplenty. The 1918 Model 37 was its first model to offer a closed top, ensuring that the brand's well-heeled buyers had protection from the elements.

Oldsmobile had another hit in the 1920s with the Model 46, a V8-powered touring car that seated seven. The manufacturer did its part to make sure that the decade's elegance wasn't lost on its automobiles. It introduced fancy chrome-plated trim that served to raise the glamour quotient of its already eye-catching vehicles.

The '30s was a decade of innovation for the brand. The company wooed customers with its "Knee-Action" independent front suspension, an affordably priced option that served to improve ride quality. The company also offered one of the earliest automatic transmissions, freeing drivers from the rigors of the clutch with its four-speed "Hydra-matic" system.

Postwar, Oldsmobile gave consumers the Rocket 88. The car offered new levels of performance, giving the North American market its first taste of the short-stroke, overhead-valve V8. The car was adored by enthusiasts, and was chosen to serve as the pace car for the 1949 Indy 500.

The 1950s saw Olds continuing to distinguish itself as a purveyor of fine performance machines. With a name inspired by the Lockheed Starfire fighter plane, its 1953 Starfire show car offered a fiberglass body, a stylishly low beltline and most importantly, a 200-horsepower engine. The car was one of the first to display a wraparound windshield, and in the years following, many other manufacturers adopted this styling cue.

Oldsmobile's innovations continued into the 1960s. The manufacturer was the first since the 1930s Cord to taste success with a front-wheel-drive vehicle, in the form of its sporty Toronado. The '70s saw Olds breaking new ground in the area of safety. In 1974, it introduced a Toronado equipped with a driver-side airbag; Olds was the first domestic automaker to offer this feature. Around this time, the company's Cutlass had also become one of America's favorite cars.

Less successful was the company's effort to get on board with diesel technology. In 1978, Oldsmobile introduced a 5.7-liter V8 diesel engine as a response to that decade's fuel crisis; the engine was meant to appeal to buyers desperate to save money at the pump. Rising diesel prices and the unreliability of the engines caused the program to suffer, and Oldsmobile was eventually forced to terminate its efforts on this front.

In the '80s, Oldsmobile left its competitors in the dust when its Aerotech — piloted by noted racecar driver A.J. Foyt — set a closed-course world speed record of 257 mph. The company continued to have a huge hit with its Cutlass; the model spent much of the decade atop the sales charts.

The '90s saw Oldsmobile's introduction of Guidestar, the first onboard navigation system combining mapping and satellite positioning. The company made history yet again when its race-modified Aurora V8 won the Indy 500, making Olds the first manufacturer to pace and win the race in the same year.

By the dawn of the new millennium, Oldsmobile's sales were in a rut. The brand's identity had suffered over the years due to parts-sharing and rebadging within the GM camp. GM ultimately decided to pull the plug, and the last Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line in model-year 2004.

User Reviews:

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  CAUTION! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By CAUTION!!!! - January 16 - 3:00 am

  Bought my Alero because I had rented one once and fell in love with its performance and ride. It is really fast for a coupe. If you are considering buying one from a dealer you better get the extended warranty! I have replaced the rotors on the front (big problem with Aleros). The lower intake gasket leaked so that screwed up the antifreeze. The resistor that controls the blower motor burned out. There is a rattling noise in front suspension that I cant seem to find. Fortunately I got the extended warranty! Id be out a few thousand if I hadnt. Depreciation is ridiculous! Paid $11,000 for it in 2002 and its now worth $6,000 retail/$4,000 trade. I owe $8000.

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  Best American Sedan Ever Built - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Orlin - January 14 - 10:00 am

  The Aurora was years ahead of the car market in every aspect in 1994 when it introduced the first Aurora and is truly a great car in every way. This was my 3rd Aurora, a 1999, I previously had a 1995 and I also still have a 1997 Aurora (with 194,000 miles). This is the best American sedan built. Ive looked for several years for an American made car to replace the 1999 and there are none that can top it. Living in America and also living in Michigan, I will not drive a foreign car.

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  I love my car!!! - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Avalon - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I love my Alero! Since the first year they came out I had my eye on them and finally I was able to buy one. Its sporty looking, yet good for the whole family! It treats me well and I plan to do the same to it.

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  Nickle n Dimer - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Robin - January 12 - 11:23 pm

  I bought my 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada off-lease with an extended warranty. I made out like a bandit - with the warranty. the warranty company is not happy. The only items that I have NOT had replaced, at 80,000 miles, are the main engine and transmission. Everything else has broken...and its had two women drivers and no off-road abuse during its life. I wish Id bought it new, I would have turned it in under the Lemon Law.

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  100K and no problems - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By 2002 Olds Minivan - January 11 - 4:33 pm

  I am the original owner of 2002 old minvian. I just made it 99,700 miles and decided to sell it and buy a 2008 Chrysler T&C. I basically had zero problems with the minivan and it was the best vehicle I have ever owned. On the way home from the Chrysler dealership after purchasing my 2008 T&C with 15,000 it started making brake noise. Had to replace front/rear pads/rotors and they also replaced the battery. I know GM takes a lot of grief but in my experience their quality has been very good.

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  Dependable! - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Beto - January 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Aurora and there is no car out there that looks like it. It has its own unique design. Its my second because of its dependablity. No problems..thanks to OLDS for a nice sharp, quick(V8), dependable car!!

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  An excellent value - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Chris P. - January 11 - 10:00 am

  After first renting an Alero a year beforehand, and enjoying the experience, I decided to buy one. After driving the car for an average of an hour each way to work for several months, I have found the car to be excellent --- very comfortable, powerful, excellent handling, yet quiet on the highway. And, so far, it hasnt needed any trips to the repair shop (except for oil changes).

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  Little Trouble Up Front - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By AK-KY - January 9 - 7:33 pm

  I have had a little trouble with the Bravada, but overall its been a nice ride and has taken me from Kentucky to Alaska and back. I had to replace the ball joints and both front wheel bearings about 5,000 miles ago and now am having the same problems that led me to replace them in the first place (a bumping sort of motion when cutting the wheels and backing up). I read a lot about the GMC Jimmy (nearly the same build) having this problem regularly as well. The engine runs strong, has lots of torque, and its gas mileage is good as far as an SUV goes. It does great on the snow and ice. The heat seems to always be on, that is just annoying though. I guess Olds was figuring anyone in this car would be using the AC.

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  98 Aurora is a great car! - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By sks280 - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Since purchasing my 98 Aurora new in 99, I have had virtually no problems until last week. My speedometer started a jerking action from 35 to 55 MPH and the transmission was trying to adjust to the speed it was showing, which caused some surging. I took it immediately to a GM Dealer who advised me two hours later that it would cost $2200 in parts and labor to fix. The electronics problem was going to require them to pull and replace several parts. This makes absolutely no sense to me! The car only has 39,000 miles on it, has never been wrecked or mishandled and always serviced. Other than that, I love my car!

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  Great College Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By luminesa - January 8 - 10:00 am

  My parents and I bought this car for my use during college. It gets wonderful fuel mileage, which is great for all of the driving I do. The space available to load my luggage in is also wonderful. The body of the car is very stylish--great for a young student.