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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  2002 bravada - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By locomoto63 - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I purchsed a bravada back in march 2002 and so far it has 10,000 trouble free miles.The only times it has gone to the dealer was for a reccall and oil changes.The truck drives and handles like a car.The motor is as smooth and refined as any import car with twice the price tag.I was not looking to purchase an american car or truck,but after test drivig the bravada my mind was instantly changed.Kudos to G.M.for finally producing an affortable worthy world contender.

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  bright red 94 - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By polkiop - May 10 - 2:00 am

  car runs great......wish they put the 3.4 in all of them!

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  Nightmare - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By dukegordon - May 10 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle has been to the dealer 11 times. Has been out of commission around 45 days. Problems have included: Mirrors not positioning, rain sensor replaced twice, transmission slipping, rear air srings deflating, radio loosing presets, compass stopped working, headlights, running lights, ect..........

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  One of the best vehicles Ive ever owned - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Asbhurner - May 8 - 2:03 am

  Ive owend foreign cars (e.g., Triumph, Fiat, BMW, Mercedes) and American cars (of many makes and models) and my 2002 Bravada is one the best vehicles Ive ever owned. A joy to drive and own.

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  Reliable and Stylish - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By lisa - May 5 - 4:23 pm

  I never had a problem with either one of my Aleros. I owned a 99 and then a 2000! Oldsmobile finally came out with a beautiful, fun car that blew Pontiac and Buick out of the water.

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  Would I do it again? - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jolgg21 - May 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had excellent luck with my pre- owned Intrigue. However, the fuel usage was and is disappointing. The interior design is not very family-friendly. There is limited leg room in the back seat when an adult is seated comfortably in the front. Also, the cup holders on the back of the console are a great target for little feet. The radio reception is awful and I have experience some bizarre electrical problems. Overall, this is a reliable car that I would probably purchase again as long as I still got the great price:)

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  What a disappointment - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Gregor1022 - April 29 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought a 1999 Alero GL2 with 28,000 miles on it in early 2002. Weve had it for 1.5 years and have had the following done to it: -Head gasket replaced/repaired ($500) -Ventilation system actuator and resistor replaced ($800) -Left front CV joint repaired ($400) -Right passenger side power window motor replaced ($200) -Front rotors/pads replaced ($300) We have paid over $2,200 in repairs. This is the worst peice of crap either of us have ever owned. The dealership told us "thats what you get for buying a bottom of the line car." Well, after owning this car and being told that - I will NEVER buy another GM car.

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  1999 Alero 4 door / 4 cyl GL - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JCD - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car longer than any other vehicle Ive owned, and still love it. Yes, thereve been issues w/the front rotors but was handled under warranty and havent had the brakes touched in over 20k miles. And the blower motor resistor has been replaced twice (1 under warranty, the other out of pocket). The cup holders arent the best, but hey this isnt a luxury car either. I wont be looking to replace this vehicle for another 3 years, and wished the Olds Alero would still be around then.

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  College Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Starrz - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Alero brand new (7 miles) and Ive had a great experience with it. I havent had any major mechanical problems with it and its still running strong. It has adequate power along with good gas mileage. Id recommend this car to anyone looking for a reliable car.

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  Cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By alexar7 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I have a 99 cutlass GL. I use it mainly for work. I have 47,000 miles on her and she runs great. Other than standard maintenence, (oil, lube, filter) she has had no down time. too bad 99 was the last year for the car.