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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  Money Pit - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Money Pit - September 7 - 12:13 am

  I bought this from a bank repo. It was pristene with 39k miles. First year had to replace the ball joints, pitman arm and idler arm. Figured poor maintenance by previous owner. AWD started to chatter, serviced at dealership, along with shocks $1300. Wiper pump shot ($16). Fixed it myself. Catalytic Conv ($550) AWD malfunction, shift motor and sensors ($1400). 86k miles, transmission out with no hint of trouble ($2000). Door hinges @ 60k ($500,)MPG about 16 on the highway, 8 in town. Brake service about once a year ($400). Defrost malfunction last 2 years ($100 x 2) Starter ($600). Ive had to repair things on this vehicle that Ive never had to repair on any other vehicle Ive owned. Unreliable.

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  2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette Premier - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Chris S. - September 5 - 10:00 am

  You will not find a nicer interior in a minivan. It is very similar to a Cadillac inside. It was voted the 2001 Truck/SUV interior of the year. The DVD entertainment system is EXCELLENT. It has the new 16X9 format screen, infrared wireless headsets with two channels. This unit is nicely intergrated into the vans audio system. I was also impressed that the third row bench was leather not plasic covered like other brands.

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  Good American Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By msarif - August 30 - 4:40 pm

  I have a GL3 sedan. I was surprisingly pleased with the engine and transmission performance of this car. I have almost 40K miles and encountered several problems. Front brake pads/rotors were replaced 3 times; engine coolant leaked 3 times; emergency brake doesnt engage; fan didnt work on low settings; glove compartment light mechanism broke; radio antenna came lose; sensors freeze during cold; power window motors are too weak in frozen weather. This car fish-tails too easily in emergency maneuvers and cornering. The resale value is horrible.

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  overly pleased - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By maddogcase - August 30 - 10:00 am

  the vehicle floats like a butterfly when cruising down the freeway and stings like a bee with the torque povided for towing. we have been getting as high as 25 mpg on the road and 17 mpg in the city. although we are pleased with the mileage, we would have preferred to have seen a little larger gas tank hanging from the belly of the beast.

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  Best Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BRIANs - August 27 - 10:00 am

  More bells & whistles than I would ever desire. A beauty to drive & have had MANY compliments (even by teens). Barring catastrophy, the last car I plan to own (a keeper).

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  Dont drive this Bravada SUV in snow! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bravada owner - August 23 - 2:00 am

  The outside and interior of the Bravada is what sold me. However, from day one, there is a vibration as the car shifts into gear. The dealer could not duplicate the vibration. I live in snow country and my front bumper popped loose as I backed out of my driveway over approximately 6" of snow! This is an SUV and it cannot withstand normal winter driving! I am very disappointed and after owning the vehicle for four months, I am ready to trade. My AWD light came on, but the next day the mechanic said the AWD was in working order.

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  Happy with my Olds - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Matt D - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this Intrigue with only 7600 miles on the odometer, it was two years old. The car has performed to my expectations for a family sedan. Its reliable, has a strong engine and is very stylish. I am so far very pleased with this vehicle.

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  my car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By rachel miller - August 23 - 1:33 am

  This is the first Olds. Alero that Ive ever owned and I love it Ive had it two years and its an excellent car and its fast Ive modified the motor a little and put new exhaust on it

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  Love it, hate it! - 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Travlinman - August 21 - 1:10 am

  Bought it w/ 81k mi and now have 124k on it. Runs great after many repairs, some due to age, some due to quality problems. Replaced/repaired brakes, U- joints, tires, battery, shocks, plugs/wires, water pump, belt tensioner, heater/air cond, headlamps, idler arm, oil leaks, etc. Have prob w/ stereo speakers also. Many interior squeaks & rattles. Very slow acceleration and ride deteriorates a bit past 65-70 mph. Rides nice at lower speeds and generally feels secure and smooth w/ AWD.

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  not reliable - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By not reliable - August 18 - 10:00 am

  bought olds bravada three years ago had nothing but problems from the start the second day I drove it it wouldnt start the battery terminals were loose since then i have replaced wheel bearings and hub assembly THREE times twice on driver front once on passenger, also idler arm, ball joints (both sides upper and lower), new alternator, constant default in power windows, u joints, front differential....must i go on. I have only put on 30k since I got it. Maybe the whole vehicle should be recalled and our money plus some returned!!!!!! I have almost sucessfully put a new front end on my car!!!