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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  Perfect all around! - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By rjs200240 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is great. Beautiful engine with an alluring purr. The exterior is clean and attractive and a little bit mysterious. The interior is as attractive as they come, especially for the price. Plenty of luxury features like 12-way seats, rain-sensing wipers, stability control, and a smooth, sonorous V8. The Indy Racing League heritage is something to be proud of too. 49 wins in 51 races over 5 years.

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  Ok car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By gumbi71 - December 21 - 2:15 am

  Purchased this car used and within the first week the sunroof brackets broke, body had rust cavities in it within the first year of owning and at about 85,000 miles both windows stopped working (2 door model). Not so impressed with the design under the hood... Still gets me from point a to point b. It has helped having the knowledge to do my own work. Would not recommend this as a first car with how much get up and go mine still has and how untrustworthy it is in snow.

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  also had brake issues - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By swilliams - December 19 - 10:00 am

  My 1999 Cutlass has only 23,000 miles on it. I also had to have the brakes replaced (at 21,00 miles!). I have just been told I need new tires - even though I have been vigilant about rotating and alignments. There is no way a car with this low mileage should have to have brakes/tires replaced at under 25,000 miles! Other than those issues I have thoroughly enjoyed my Cutlass.

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  Problems - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By SML - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive also had Rotor problems from the onset. It currently has 61,000 miles on it and has and oil leak from the engine and a transmission leak. ABS sensor in the wheel bearings and to costly to repair when they go on the fritz.

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  Not your Grandmas Olds - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tweakfreak - December 16 - 10:00 am

  So many reviews I read give this car a poor review and I dont see why. I guess those that dont have a problem dont write reviews. I think this is a pretty good car. It has the potential to be great. A larger engine would be nice. In all I think that it is a pretty good car.

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  Happy to Own One - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Gonzalez - December 15 - 9:13 pm

  I purchased this car used in 2004, and have put on 100K miles on it. It now has 155K and runs great. I give it a tune-up every year and regular oil changes, other than that no other maintenance. I am very happy with the vehicle, but disappointed that there are no newer Oldsmobiles to replace my current one. Still looks new.

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  No Major Problems After Eleven Years! - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By J Bloom - December 12 - 10:36 pm

  I have two 96 Cierras. The other one is a 4-door sedan. My wagon has 108,000 miles on it while my daughter has 132,000 miles on her college bound four door. The wagon has just had the water pump and fuel pump replaced for the first time shortly after it turned 100,000 miles and the drive belt was replaced at 80,000. Its comfortable and the fuel economy - especially on trips is very good. Both get exactly what the EPA reports - about 20 mpg in town, and 29 to 30 mpg on trips. The 3.1 V6 engine combined with a four speed automatic (overdrive) transmission does the trick. Even my 3-speed auto 90 Corolla doesnt deliver 30 mpg on the highway! The sedan had a top manifold leak at 125,000 miles, so Im watching for similar problems with the wagon. Its OK so far.

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  My last GM product - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tkt2ride - December 12 - 4:00 pm

  This car has been in the shop more than any vehicle I have ever owned. All 4 electric window regulators (motors) replaced. Brakes are simply defective. Passlock/key caused four trips to the shop. Turn signals. Battery. Three radios.

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  Roomy Coupe - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Dave M. - December 11 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my used 1994 Cutlass Supreme Coupe as a replacement for a 1987 Buick Park Avenue. I was looking for a roomy car but I felt cramped in most of the cars that I test drove. I was surprised at the room in the Cuttlass! At 6 6" I need loads of head, leg, and shoulder room. The Coupe fits the bill. The trunk space is wonderful, too. The Mrs. and I are very happy about this new-to-us car.

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  Danny - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Danny - December 11 - 6:56 pm

  I bought my Bravada used with 55K miles on it. I enjoyed driving it. My complaints concern problems with electric system, in that various warning lights come on for no reason, especially the "ck all wheel drive" light and the "check engine light". It is fine to drive in winter but, even with all wheel drive, I wish I had not bought it.