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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  Mixed Emotions - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Barq444 - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I love the way the car handles as well as its looks. However, I have had many reoccuring problems when it comes to cosmetics. First problem I had on many occasions is the bubbling of the leather on the door panels. They were replaced on a few occasions while under warantee, again Im having the problem. I have also had the windows sticking to the rubber which has broken the motors of the electric windows both during and now after the warantee has expired. I have already replaced the motors on both front doors and am now replacing the rear drivers. The replacement costs are an outrageous $400 each. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE AGAIN.

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  Probably the best car I have owned - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By tangerinepug - January 15 - 11:52 pm

  I am the third owner of this car. I bought it from my father, four years ago, prior to that it was a rental car. In the past four years, only one time have I put the key in the ignition and turned it, did the car not start! Just for that reason, the starter went out. I might add that this girl has 197,000 miles on it. My brother, a local mechanic, says I can easily get 250,000 out of her. She has always burned a little oil, and I am not as diligent on the changes as I should be. I have replaced a few minor parts, which is not a big surprise with the higher mileage.

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  Great Car No longer Made - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Pretz - January 14 - 2:00 am

  GM finally gets one almost there but a bit too late. With a bit more refinement the Intrigue could have been a BMW competitor at much lower cost. Great handeling, plenty of power (3.5l 215hp)and problem free. Exterior styling a bit bland but still worth a look.

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  Excited About Alero!!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By vanillaalero - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my new olds alero. Thus far, from what I can tell, this is a great vehicle. Has great handling, good acceleration, nice turning raduis & is a sporty little car but has four doors. So that is a great solution for mothers like me who still want sports cars but need space for the little ones. Best of all its soooooo fun to drive!!!

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  Helluva truck - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bravada Man - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck used in 2000 and its only hit the mechanic twice. Once for brakes and calipers and the other for a sluggishness that was attributed to dirty fuel injectors (fixed with a $27 chemical that goes in the fuel tank). This car is my families only one and we love it. It has treated us great and its like driving a luxury car. Get one while you still can.

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  If I could, I would buy another one! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By maani - January 3 - 7:00 am

  As a car for a first time driver, I would give this car a 5 out of 5. It was safe, easy to handle, hard to dent and not embarrassing to be seen driving. My parents purchased this car in 2007 with 69,501 miles for $5000. Standard maintenance was fairly cheap. The only expensive replacement part was the alternator in 2011 at 120,000 miles. Sadly, I no longer drive it due to accident that hit my front drivers side wheel and ruined the drivers side door. The driver was going 45mph when they hit me and I walked away without a single scratch. I would totally buy another intrigue if I could!

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  Great car - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By kevinp - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. 150k miles on it and it runs great. Great fuel economy, fast, and great looking

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  1999 Olds Intrigue GLS - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Colin - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This car has a supberb powertrain and good looks, but the cheap interior limits my overall satisfaction. After 3 years Im still very pleased with the power and handling. This car handles like a small car with all the comforts of a big car. Overall reliability has been solid - no mechanical problems yet. The interior feels cheap - even compared to my Sable (which is hardly top of the line). The windows arent tinted enough. I often get uncomfortably hot sun on the back of my neck. The sun visor isnt long enough to completely block the sun (I noticed GM has now fixed this problem.) Typical of every American car Ive owned, this one became very noisy (wind noise) after 6 months.

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  rock n roll vehicle - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By teresa warren - December 10 - 10:00 am

  quick when you need it cruises great handle very well would buy another one sharp looking

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  Merry Headlights - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BlinkyWinky - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I compared models online and then went to 5 dealers for test drives.I hated the Honda and Toyota, so I decided to settle for a Buick Century, and pulled into the Olds dealer on the way. I had not even considered an Olds for fear they would go out of business and I would be stuck with a car that would be difficult to repair. I needed a car big enough for four adults and an engine that would get me on the freeway fast. The incredible handling sold me. I have now discovered a serious design problem.The dash and HEADLIGHTS dim so low they nearly go out! HQ says it is "NORMAL"! Now I am stuck with a car that blinks like a Christmas Tree!!