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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  WHY DID YOU STOP - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By M-M - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Excellent SUV, BEST BRAVADA made,2nd one I have leased,friends in past had earlier models, VERY Comfortable,Rides great,I get about 17 MILES PER GALLON WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE FOR THIS TYPE OF SUV, BUY AMERICAN LOVE THIS VEHICLE..

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  Best All Around Driver - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By chilshock - October 9 - 10:46 am

  I bought this car brand new in 1999 and now have 191,000 miles on it. I drive it actually pretty hard and it has never let me down. It has awesome acceleration and reliablity too. The only things Ive had to have replace were the water pump at 120,000 miles and the radiator at 180,000. The front breaks were changed about every 70,000 miles (Im on my third set in the front and the original rear breaks lasted until about 110,000 - Im on my second set now. The spark plug wires were changed at 150,000 miles at the suggestion of the dealership. Im actually still on the same battery (I thought at first it was a dumb idea to put it under the back seat Im starting to re-think that, it has helped it last). It started at -17 F after sitting two days in sub-zero this week.

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  Reliable with regular oil changes - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Kevin - October 8 - 11:03 am

  Bought this car used with only 7,400 miles on it. I now have 86,000 miles on it and it still runs great. ust follow the maintenance schedule and youll be fine. Ive had to replace the battery twice. But no other issues or extra costs. Changed the oil between 3K and when the change oil light came on. I have to make sure I check the oil levels regularly since it uses about a quart in between every oil change. Comfortable, powerful, and good stock speaker system. Handles smooth and predictable.

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  Love This Car! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By luv_alero - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I have had my 2000 Alero for 2.5 years and absolutely love it! It handles beutifully and really hugs the road. The interior is comfy and quiet. Very smooth ride. I was in a fairly bad front end accident (+/- 30-35 mph) two years ago. I was very pleased with the safety performance of the car. Even after the accident, Ive (surprisingly) had absolutely no problems with it. My lease is up in 6 months and I am torn between getting another one or not since GM is closing Oldsmobile. Too bad, they had a wonderful product with the Alero.

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  Great dependable car! - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Mellissa - October 5 - 8:33 pm

  My car has 138,000 miles on it and its never stalled before! The air still works awesome, the heaters great, and it has an amazing speaker system. It is a really sharp car. I got in an accident recently and spun out on ice, hitting a guardrail at 75 mph and it only needed an airbag and a headlight! This is a great, sturdy, dependable car! I definitely recommend it!

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  Excellent truck - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Realityvision - September 30 - 8:53 pm

  I purchased new in 2002 and have 75k miles on it. Original brakes and tires. Just past inspection 12/08 in Virginia. I have towed boats and trailers. No problems, no rattles, no electrical issues (except replaced headlamps). I cant imagine what more you would want. Purchased this truck because Oldsmobile only had 6 options everything else is standard in 03 plus 60 mo zero financing. Excellent product.

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  drive and enjoy - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Rob Ohio - September 30 - 10:00 am

  If you want a great car to enjoy riding in then this is the one. Great engine and body style. The 95 -2000 models are much nicer than the new style.

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  cool car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By knn - September 30 - 10:00 am

  its reliable and good for a first time cheap car. cheap and reliable. Ive had no problems with it except a brocken oil sensor and a leak on the door all of which were covered in the warranty

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  Horrible Car. Dont buy Used. - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jlsmith1215 - September 28 - 12:20 am

  Check engine, Service Vehicle, and Low Trac lights are on when start car up. Took car to a mechanic and he did a diagnosis check he says I need a new crank shaft senor. But turned around wasted $265.00 on the senor. Windshield wiper motor went out after a yr having it. 3 of the 4 windows work. Sometimes only 2 work. This Car SUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!! Do Not Buy This Car Used.

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  Very Pleased - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Mark 1 - September 24 - 10:00 am

  I drove from Indianapolis to Philadelphia easily on 1 tank of gas (33 mpg). When I have it washed and waxed, it is an eye catcher (All black w/ gold package). Very comfortable to drive.