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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  Best in class - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Kevin2001 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I went from the Grand Am coupe 99 to the Alero. The Grand Am had a water leak and GM offered me a rebate check to buy another GM. I came hours from buying a Toyota Solara (check in hand) I found alot of water in the trunk and a loud squeak from the cars front and rear springs or struts. NO THANK YOU! I went back to GM and purchased the best in this class. 2001 GLS alero coupe black tan leather I also have the gold package it makes the car stand out along with the 16" crome wheels. I have over a dozen more ops than a Import plus $4,000 saved, plus $50 less a month.whi cares about resale value. I already have my resale money back in my bank.

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  Good Car Overall - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Tiffany - May 27 - 2:20 am

  Originally bought the car with 36K on it and now at 170K I cant really complain. I havent had anything major wrong with it, just normal maintenance fixes so far. The one continuous problem that I am having is that the light in the front blinkers keeps going out. I just quit having it fixed.

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  aurora - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By asoutherncharmer - May 24 - 10:00 am

  It is very difficult to find a dealership to service Oldsmobile. I have had my car for 5 months and it has been in the shop twice for mulitple days both times. My other concern is with the Dealership who sold the car. They did not disclose important information regarding my extended warranty. Also, they said any GM dealer would service this car, that IS NOT so.

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  Good car. - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By SSilan3840@aol.com - May 24 - 2:00 am

  A good car for around the city. Fast, economical, steers well, peppy and plenty fast

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  B-E-A-UTIFUL! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By SkaterHick - May 23 - 6:16 am

  Over all an amazing car. Reliable, handles well in the snow, and over all speedy. the only draw backs would be a wavy interior on the dash.

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  new owner - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By bildar - May 22 - 12:06 pm

  Havent owned it long but love it

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  Great Car - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By rollin - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car 2 years actually, and I have never had a problem with it. I drove it out of town alot, so I have high mileage, about 90,000. Its still going strong, and I havent had a major problem, just regular maintenance. Great ride!

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  Wish they still made them - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jasonc - May 18 - 10:00 am

  If you get a chance to own one of these cars for the right price I would go for it. I love this car and wish Olds didnt go out of business because I would buy another when this one if finished. Great power in the engine and plenty of acceleration. Get one while they last, but dont overpay because the resale value drops very fast. Mines already dropped in half and Ive only had it for 11 months.

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  Nice Looking, but it stops there - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Vaughn31 - May 17 - 7:06 am

  I bought my 2dr Alero 3.4L GLS, Gold Package Alero used in 2003 with 15,000 km. I am now at 98,000 km and have had all the Alero problems. The window motor regulator went twice, brakes and rotors 3-4 times now, hub assembly twice, intake manifold gasket, head gasket, ignition failure, broken seat. Several things. I love driving the car, it has good V6 power, a sunroof, and looks nice with the Gold package, but I am not sure what to do with now. I am still paying for it, but am thinking of cutting my losses and buying a HONDA!

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  Bravo 4 my Bravada! - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By darkangel1 - May 16 - 2:46 pm

  I usually dont get anything but base model cars, so when I found this Platinum Edition Bravada, I wasnt sure if I should buy it, until I drove it! It handles great, and is so very comfortable! I had a Chevrolet Suburban before this and I am loving the gas mileage that Im getting! Especially since Im still getting all the good things I needed out of a vehicle, like 4 doors and loads of cargo room..and the heated leather seats. They are a very welcome addition in winter here in New Mexico! My a/c goes from "sahara" to "icicle" in less than 2.5 mins! yes.."Bravo 4 my Bravada" !