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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  1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass Sedan - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By lemko - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Not a bad car, but not a very good car either. It is the very epitome of average. The car is obviously a Chevrolet Malibu doing a poor imitation of an Oldsmobile. The 3.1 V-6 is rather anemic while delivering poor fuel economy. The interior is a classic example of why many criticize GM - its contemporary American rental car. Despite all these faults, the car is rather reliable and holds up well against it harsh urban environment.

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  Nice car, sorry to see Olds stop product - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Buggs70 - June 25 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought the car new in Oct 98 and have 61000 miles on it. I am sorry to see them no longer making Oldsmobile. I never wanted an Oldsmobile product because they were always so old looking (elderly peeps car). The intrigue has been great for us and we are a family of four. We have had the car 5 years with no problems but standard maintenance. The dash heats up if you drive a lot at night from the lighting but other than that no problems at all.

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  Mels Alero Review - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By MELISSA - June 25 - 10:00 am

  If you are looking for a reliable, comfortable, good looking, decently priced car the Olds Alero is definately an option. I absolutely loved mine. Unfortunately I was recently in an automobile accident where the car rolled. I will say that the Alero held up to my standards and kept me safe. If I would have went with a smaller car or a different brand, I dont believe I would have survived. Another car would have flattened in that situation. I am highly considering purchasing another Olds Alero. It looks good, drives good, and is a safe sturdy vehicle.

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  Bad Brakes - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jtskitty - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Overall I have pleased with the vehicle. The main problem I have experienced has been the brakes. We had to replace brakes & rotors at only 30,000 miles and they still make a grinding noise with the new brakes. This is a definite manufacturing/design flaw on Oldsmobiles part. Brakes are not something you should short change on a car. This is a definite safety issue. The second issue I have is that the service engine soon light came on & wont go off. The third issue is a lagging starter. Sometimes it works beautifully & then others I have to prime it to get it to start.

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  1998 Olds Aurora - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By David Kehne - June 18 - 9:36 am

  This is a great car to have for just plain comfort and getting groups of five adults around. The style still turns heads even if it looks a bit overgrown by todays standards. The Northstar-inspired engine still burns rubber and the rear seat, not that Ive travelled while there, is one of the most comfortable ever put in a sedan. This car is a great one to have in addition (or instead) of an SUV. The trunk is large but the size of its opening does present some limits.

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  2001 Aurora - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By cucicoo - June 17 - 10:00 am

  nimble handling for a large sedan attractive, inside and out comfortable seating reasonably good gas milage fun to drive 3.5 has decent power but not terrific power and pickup

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  Best Cost of ownership - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By dans - June 17 - 2:00 am

  A very nice minivan for the money. Hard to find any better comfort in this class. Best of all the van is fully loaded.

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  Intrigued - no longer - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By aileron - June 17 - 2:00 am

  The 3.5 twin cam engine is the best feature of the car. The transmission, at 75000 miles, is becoming "unsure of itself". Fit and finish are not good. Interior layout is OK. Service reliability has been subpar for a car that lists for over 26 grand. Fog lights are ridiculous - lousy design - bulbs dont last and cost a fortune at 10-14 dollars each. The assemblies fill up with water and list for 113 dollars each. The headlight assys are little better as the lenses fog over (crazing) and condensation always forms inside the light assemblies. Im afraid to even inquire the price. Ill go Japanese next time.

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  Aurora is traditional - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Aurora/driver - June 12 - 2:00 am

  Have driven my Aurora now for 18 months. Considering the price I could not be more pleased. It has been 100% reliable and very good on gas mileage, 24 mpg over all. In my eyes the styling will endure for some time. It feels solid and safe. Only wish GM could this more often and people give them a look!

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  BAD CAR - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By J.L - June 11 - 10:00 am

  BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC. 22O2 AND HAD TO PUT FRONT BRAKES ON. THEN BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THEN NOTHING. PUT ALT. ON $414.00 DOLLARS. THEN TWO DAYS LATER SAY THING. BROKE DOWN TWICE IN THREE DAYS WITH MY KIDS WITH ME. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. STILL DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG THIS TIME