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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  Nice - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By CTG - August 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 98 Intrigue for my wife and liked it so much, I bought a 99 Intrigue GL for myself. Both cars have been performing flawlessly. Smooth shifting, responsive steering, and fun to drive.

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  Great Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By bquintan2000 - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I have owned the Alero GLS for the past 3 years and have been very pleased with the car. Like everyone else, my rotors went bad and had to be turned. However, that did not occur until 43,000 miles. The car handles great at high and slow speeds. Great interior, but will recommend having leather as oppose to the cheap cloth seats. I have never had to take my Alero to the shop since I purchased it 3 years ago. My Alero was supped up by the dealer and everybody mistakes it for a Mustang. Depreciation is poor. Did not retain its value, very disappointed!

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  Oustanding and fun - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By cjdwolfe - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I only dirve my Aurora 7000 a year. Overall this Auto has been an outstanding and really fun car to drive. My on board computer has stated has high as 30.1 highway and 24 mpg in town. It averages 22 and 28mpg. The V8 has all the power you will ever need. I had a little wind noise around the drives door and right passenger rear door, replaced seals and adjusted door and its as quit as a mouse.

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  Great Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By KWWCJKM - July 17 - 10:00 am

  My Aurora 3.5 is the best car I have owned - high quality, great sound system and fun to drive. The main complaint has been from my kids who say the middle back seat is uncomfortable. My mileage is 25 to 26 and have only had the car in for repair once in over 3 years (minor warranty items).

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  Good Solid Vehicle - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By My Review - July 8 - 12:20 am

  I bought my 00 Alero brand new. I was going to purchase a Grand Am, but once I drove the Alero, I knew it was the right choice. I have the GLS V6 2- door. I dont know if this is different than some of the bad reviews Ive read on this site or not, but my Alero has been great. I have 140K miles on it, and my mechanic says that it is still running strong. I feel it is a solid car.

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  THE BEST CAR OUT THERE - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By MIA - June 22 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY FIRST CAR.....MY OWN CAR...AND I LOVE IT..I HAVE DRIVE OTHER CARS FOR ALONG TIME BUT IN THE YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD MY CAR I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT AND IT IS ONE OF THE ONLY CARS THAT I COULD AFFORD THAT I REALLY LOVED

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  Very Nice SUV!!!! - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Craige - June 18 - 8:43 am

  This has been a great vehicle, very dependable only expenses has been tires,and tune ups little else has gone wrong. Very comfortable to drive. SmartTrack is great for winter driving. Sound system still sounds great!! Paint and Interior still looks like new.

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  1999 Olds Aurora - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By John - June 16 - 11:00 pm

  I bought this car when it was 4 years old with 9,000 miles. I have since driven it up to 75,000 with only one major problem ($900), and Im pretty sure it would have been a cheaper fix had I not been in a strange town. Overall the car has been superb. I have friends who have the newer style, but honestly they just dont compare. If I can ever find another deal (low mileage, old body style) again, Ill do it! The powerful V8, smooth handling, and sleek look make it a very enjoyable ride. As typical with American cars resale is horrible, which is why I would never buy one new (I paid $12,500...sticker was $37,000). I dont receommend many American cars, but this one is a winner!

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  131,000 miles and replacing shocks - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By ED DINWIDDIE - June 13 - 6:50 pm

  Purchased it with 750 miles from dealers son. Have been very pleased. Lost one of driver side seat heaters and then two months later lost the other one. Very expensive. Hate the spare and where it is located, very hard to work with on a hot intrastate. Headlights are better than our 2000 but still need help.

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  BANG FOR YOR BUCK - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By CHUCK - June 8 - 10:00 am

  A++++++++ QUALITY OFF ROAD A DREAM. i HAVE 70 PLUS AND NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM