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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  Kill it with fire!!! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By emt6 - December 7 - 2:47 am

  Nothing but problems! Less then 100 000 miles on er and everything has been replaced on this car! Transmission, window motors, steering components, rear axle thingys, everything! And most of it would have been covered by my insurance, if it wasnt for the fact they would write it off! I mean, its like $1500 for the window motor to be replaceD! The value of the car is only like $1200, so i mean, anything and everything would be a write off for this thing! The thing eats oil and the paint peels off everytwhere, and there are a few spots that alway fill with water and rust holes! I cant keep this car on the road because so much goes wrong!

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  Do Not Buy - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By kendra james - December 5 - 2:00 am

  This is my first and last experience with an Oldsmobile. The check engine light comes on more than the headlights. As for comfort, interior design, etc. I wouldnt know...I spend more time in a rental than in the van. All in all.. I am not impressed in the least.. I am an American and proud of it but trust me...buy Japan...

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  Alero - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jschopstix - December 5 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive.

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  I like my Olds - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By edin77 - December 4 - 8:06 pm

  I bought my Alero with 143 000 miles. It has been fairly abused and I bought it very cheap. After I washed it, changed oil and filter, replaced power steering pump(reason for sale), cleaned interior, and replaced thermostat and antifreeze among with spark plugs this car runs awesome. It has quite a bit of miles on it, but the 3.4l engine seems to perform very well. I like the fact that is fully loaded. Everything works electrically, and I like the fact that parts are very cheap. Brake pads online run for about $20, for example. Also, I think that this car will run for another 100,000 miles. No signs of giving up. Transmission runs very smooth. I think this might be one of the better GM cars. Thanks

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  Love it - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By B - December 1 - 3:46 am

  I have had my Intrigue since new since 98. it is now 8 years old and is still chugging along. I had to replace the brakes, tires, steering rack, front hubs, and ball joints. the radiator is next. My car has 166,000 miles, so I cant complain. I wish the fuel economy was a little better. stereo upgrades were a sinch with the stuff that I got from crutchfield. I would buy another one today if the one that I have died.

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  Just Not That Good - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By clunkerjunker - November 30 - 11:45 pm

  This car has never met any of my expectations. It always has something wrong with it, be it the electrical, mechanical or cosmetic. The electrical is a little screwy, it has a tendency of some of the lights not working or working intermittently, and it isnt the bulbs or connectors, I have replace both. The warning lights come and go all the time, I never know if something is actually wrong. It doesnt burn or leak oil, but it takes 4L of oil for every tank of gas. Gas mileage is poor. Paint peels off on this car at the bottoms of the doors (See this on all of them). I have put a ton into it ($10 000) and by the sounds of it, I am lucky the transmission has not gone yet.

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  My Merry Oldsmobile - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jeffwiegand - November 29 - 10:00 am

  What a shame this marque had to die. My 02 Intrigue GL is fun to drive and trouble free. The only complaint from the drivers seat is inconvenient radio/cruise control steering wheel buttons and a bit too much road noise from the original equipment Goodyear tires on concrete pavement. GM should have killed the stodgy Buick Regal rather than this stylish Olds!

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  Nice sedan overall - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Doc John - November 29 - 10:00 am

  In my opinion the best American-made sedan for the money. Comfortable and fun to drive with lots of great features that work well.

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  Not too Promising - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By A6SILO - November 27 - 6:33 pm

  Since purchasing our 2001 Silhouette Premier in Jan. 06 we have encountered a leaking windshield, a broken drivers side heated seat, a broken drivers side power mirror, and the smell of anti-freeze leaking from the right side engine area. We love all the power options but are very disappointed at the level of quality from a top of the line vehicle.

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  GM wrong,shouldve added this to Buick - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By mmtphoto - November 25 - 10:36 pm

  I have owned probably 36-40 cars, and this is without a doubt the nicest, smoothest, quietest and prettiest car I have ever owned. So far it has been pretty dependable, and the aluminum hood and trunk lid are pretty trick. I enjoy the heated seats, the great radio/cd player with the 12 disk changer in the trunk, the climate control, steering wheel controls, and beautiful interior and exterior. It has a sunroof, and intelligent wipers, and the aluminum 4 cam engine and trans are quiet and smooth. I do my own repairs-this car is a little complicated, but so far I have been able to solve the somewhat minor problems without any drama. Nicer than a Caddy, Jag, Acura, BMW in my opinion.