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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  oldsmobile intrigue gl - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By lesgold - November 6 - 12:46 am

  Car originaly acquired April 1998. Original owner. Car has Leather interior. Color Silver. Total Mileage is 24900 as of 3/15/02. Extended Factory warranty for transmission and Power train valid through April 2004. Very clean. No damage to body or interior. Maintained as required. Record available. CD player.

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  Nice SUV - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Lloyd - November 3 - 3:16 am

  Have owned my Bravada for six months. I bought it with 64,000 miles on it. The only probems are the memory for the mirrors doesnt work, and the bottom passenger seat heater is not working. I paid only $12,900 for it and it has every option. I have been getting about 17 mpg.

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  i love my Alero - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By michelle - October 24 - 9:46 pm

  I recently had a baby and feel so safe in my Alero. I wish now I would have purchased a sedan instead of a coupe, they look just as good as the two doors. I love my car, it is the best decision that I have ever made.

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  I love my Alero - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Squashtowner - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Only real problems...crappy BF Goodrich (Garbage?) tires. They are noisy. And, the front pads wore out at 35000 km.

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  Night Mare !!!!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By rosetat2 - October 23 - 9:30 pm

  I bought my 2002 olds intrigue in 2003 with 4100 miles on it. it has been the best till this year. car now has 114108 miles. I get oil change always. got transmission fluid flushed & power steering fluid flushed & oil changed. had leak in tire fixed cost 499.00. Then my track light, antilock brake light & track light came on also Service eng soon. no ac ,no cruise replace ignition switch assm,replace alternator & fuse assm, replace rf wheel speed sensor harness cost 1478.00. after security light would pop on while i was driving then when i would shut car off then on it would go off. that went on for a while till one day car would not start but when i would keep trying it would start like a

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  Dont Buy It - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Jery - October 22 - 5:20 am

  Bought the vehicle for my wife with 36,000 miles on it, and all I can say is thank God for the extended warranty. The all wheel drive started acting up soon after we got it. I have had to replace the whole front end, rear leaf springs, differential seals, crank seals, and they still cant figure out what is wrong with the electrical system or the A/C system. I have always been a GM guy but I must say if they keep building them like this I may have to switch. Looking forward to getting rid of this lemon. Take my word on this dont ever buy one of these SUVs. This thing also sucks down the gas, I get better economy out of my full size pick up truck.

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  Overall OK but has some issues - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By drhodesvt - October 21 - 7:23 am

  The car is OK, but with mine both passenger windows need the motor replaced, they just seized up one day. Also, the lights flicker and dim on occasion, which is a known issue. Also, resale value is horrible on this car. The engine, so far, has worked great with no major problems. The issues I have with the car are not covered by a warranty, including some that known issues and should be recalled.

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  10 years and still great - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By ketch5 - October 19 - 7:06 am

  Bought new, special ordered, the day before Thanksgiving 1999 (Mine also came with a dealer installed aftermarket SLP stageI TypeR performance/handling package as well). Bought it for two main reasons: the engine (rated in the 10 best at the time) and the styling; Wanted a European type handling/ride and refinement and this had it. 63000 miles now and 10 years old. All power windows went out over time and had to be replaced (a common GM issue); Other than recent tie rod end replacements, nothing else. Have had this on a race track (Road America road course in Wis.) for over an hour chasing (and passing) BMWs back in 2001; Great handling; OK used, but epxect some issues.

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  Bravo Bravada - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By gearge - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehical is an excellent SUV.It takes you off road or to the opera. Its luxurious and is built on a truck platform for durabity. You wont bend the frame when youre off road and it will soak up rough roads and bumps. The quality of the materials is practical and stylish and still looks utilitarian. I drove this vehical on a two month roadtrip to California from Michigan and back with stops in my favorite desert communities. I have had no problems. Other more expensive SUVs do not have all the features the Bravada has. It was mistaken for a Porsche SUV by a policeman and it will not be a vehical you will see on every corner.

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  Good, but not great - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By warped - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I also had the warped rotors. Warped at 7500 miles. Dealer wouldnt fix, would only turn. Warped again at 10000 miles. After much hassle with Olds, they finally agreed to replace. No problem since. Very good car overall, better than most other domestics, not as good as the imports though.