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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  Alero Fever - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alero Kurt - January 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Alero purchase. We also own a 2001 GL2 Sedan. I love both cars as they are both GL2 sedans; however, the 2004 is missing many features that were standard in 2001 (lighted rear view mirror, vanity mirror on passengers side, no sun- glass storage compartment on the ceiling (just an empty hole), 2 less speakers (only 4 was 6) but same radio, no flip up drink cover next to driver and no cargo net or ancors in the trunk. I know its the last production year but please remember I am a loyal owner and paying good money for a car that looks exactly like the 2001, performs like the 2001 but is missing tons of little extras. OUCH!!!

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bruce Tonn - January 7 - 12:06 am

  The 02 Olds Bravada has been a pleasure to own and drive. I have had no major problems and with the air suspension it provides a very smooth ride. The gas mileage has averaged 19.1 MPG city/hwy combined. Parts and service are not a problem since so many mechanical parts are interchangeable with the Chev Trailblazer and GMC Envoy. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Great Van - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Traveling Dad - January 4 - 12:26 am

  I do lots of driving to nearby states and lots of city driving. My Silhouette needed a minor transmission overhaul at 67,000 and an intake gasket at 74,000. I am on my third set of tires, but have needed no front suspension repairs. I will say that Michellin Hydra tires & now Goodyear Assurance, really make the ride comfortable and reassuring.

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  Happy Owner - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By HavJon - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car, oil leak around pan gasket when first purchased, fixed under warranty and no more problems. Mech. strong and requires very little maintance.

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  Good American Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Good American Car - December 30 - 4:46 pm

  I purchased the car with 50000 miles and it now has 112000. Always starts, its fast, great at highway speed. I like it as a sporty American sedan, similar to the 5 series or any smaller Benz. Electrical system have issues, signals, flashers, window motor replacement is expensive and must have design flaws. A great looking car still today, far more interesting than a Camry, maxima, etc.

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  Looks nice, but not a reliable ride - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Nothing_But_Bad_Luck - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Weve had nothing but bad luck with this vehicle. We purchased with only 12K miles and in the next 45K miles weve had a rebuilt transmission, a new transmission, a new radiator, a new water pump, a new alternator, problems with the fuel guage, etc. This vehicle still has less than 70K miles and weve had all these problems. Ive lost any hope that US automakers can build a quality product.

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  Keep it for its size - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By MixedEmotion - December 23 - 3:03 am

  I bought this car 2 yrs used, and it now has almost 160k miles on it. Before I go negative, this car is a hoot to drive! It sticks in the curves, and has big mirrors and reasonable acceleration. 80 mph is like standing still. Mine is on the 2nd engine and 2nd ABS module, the back window machines are busted, and some think it is more trouble than its worth. This time its a water leak from the intake cover. I think this year I will have put over $1500 into repairs (including that ABS and break overhaul, and what I expect from this leak). I may also need a mass air flow sensor. My mechanic loves to see it coming.

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  Hidden Gem - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Eric - December 22 - 3:13 am

  Looks, performance, handling, luxury -- this car has it all. It does everything well in a neat and tidy package. The engine is smooth and powerful and gets decent fuel economy. The suspension smooths out the bumps and takes corners with aggression. The exterior styling while not overt is modern and pleasing to the eyes. The interior is very comfortable and all of the controls fall easily at hand.

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  The Bravada Experience - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By bravada - December 17 - 5:13 pm

  I purchased my Bravada about 15 months ago and overall it has been a wonderful experience driving it. I never liked SUVs before, now Im hooked. The I still like my cars, I believe I will always have a SUV to sit beside it. Its handling is pretty much natural and the style puts you right with the other big time wheelers at a very reasonable price and equal style, always meeting the look of many $40,000 - $50,000 SUV you see riding around. I brought mine for $6,000 and it sat with the most expensive SUVs in the city. It raved with compliments from all who seen and expeienced it.

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  One of my best buys! - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Sadie - December 17 - 9:53 am

  One of the sharpest, most reliable used cars Ive ever owned. Basic maitenance is all Ive ever had to do. Runs and looks like a champ!