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:

• 

  I wish I loved this car - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By latoja - March 15 - 2:53 pm

  I really wanted to love this car. I bought this car new and unfortunately have a lot of problems with it. Replaced the brakes 4 times in 6 years. Because of the rim material, the tires dont seal tightly and they leak air - windshield started cracking under the top seal. The driver side window motor stopped working. Now the directional makes the clicking noise ALL the time when I am not using it. Coolant needs to be replace often. "Service Engine Soon", "Anti-lock break" and "Trac control" lights are always on. Was told it was because of a bad wheel sensor, so I replaced it, but the lights remain on. Engine started knocking at 100k miles. Paint is chipping

• 

  Poor Choice - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Erika - March 8 - 4:53 am

  The car had 74,000kms when I got it. When it got to about 98,000kms it started to have numerous problems. First thing that went was the slave cylinder only we were told it was the master cylinder. So $1600 later it had a brand new slave cylinder, master, and clutch. There was no problems till about 103,000kms one of the cylinders stopped firing, When the spark plugs were changed the car reacted badly, I guess only GM parts will make her run. Other then those two recent problems, it drives very well and is good on gas, with premium. Buyer be aware of what your getting, do you research first!

• 

  DO NOT BUY!!!! - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By mts111 - February 22 - 4:46 am

  I got this vehicle used with 105,000 miles on it because I needed a vehicle that was AWD or 4WD. The first time I drove it in bad weather the AWD Smarttrack system wouldnt work so the vehicle was basically a RWD vehicle. About 3 weeks later I went out to start the vehicle and the vehicle was dead and I had to have it toed to a garage and fixed. I have only had this vehicle for about 1,500 miles and have already had 2 major problems with it. I would not suggest buying this vehicle, you will put way to much money into it and not get much out of it. Spend the extra money and buy a Honda, Ford, or Toyota that will last you forever.

• 

  Do not buy! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By George - February 19 - 9:43 am

  The plastic trim under the doors holds water and the frame rusts. I probably knocked off ten pounds of rust this past week. I get about 15 mpg in the city and 19 maybe 20 mpg on highway. The crankshaft sensor went out after a month or two after I bought it. Friends who have the same car tell me they have to replace theirs about once a year. They cost around $60 so its not an expensive fix but it adds up year after year. The car just wasnt designed very well. Especially for rust. I cant even jack my car up to change a tire because the frame will bend and crack from all the rust. Do not buy. Spend a little more on a better car. Like a Honda. This car is a waste of money

• 

  GM trash - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Malone - January 25 - 9:00 pm

  I may run out of characters so lets get started. 3 wheel bearings at $150 a pop each, rear defroster broke at 90k, still not fixed, ABS sensor malfunctioning, still not fixed, 4 sets of brakes and rotors and two sets of calipers, fuel pump and sending unit, $425. Clunking in the front end leaning towards rack and pinion, cant wait for that bill. The drivers side door window fell off yesterday. Tie rod last month. 2 fuel injectors. I love the USA, but this will be the last American made vehicle I will ever purchase.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  2000 Intrigue Never again - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By pc911 - November 28 - 4:38 am

  Bought my 2000 Intrugue about 6 years ago, had 60,000 miles on it, to date have had to replace. computer and they had to have a mach. from the Cadalac dealership program it because they couldt do it.wheel ABS sensor, Altenater, exshaust system, ingnition, wiper motor, AC, had it towed 6 times, wipers again wont shut off, electric gas door was a dumb idea, all in all I wouldnt buy another one, or take it for free, I used to love Olds but not this one.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.