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 Aurora - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By anjinmike - January 23 - 9:26 pm

  I drive 25,000 miles/yr; get 26+mpg; have had one mechanical problem (drivers door handel broke); very quiet after I put Yokahoma tires on it; beat a teenager driving a new SS Camero off the line three days ago; after I got the governor removed west Texas speeds are very comfortable(a Mustang and I did 130-140 for almost an hour); 100k engine tune-up expensive but still runs like new; been using Mobil One and reset the computer when the oil life gets to 25%. Too bad the car was down sized for 2001, new ones just arent the same. I would have liked to try the car out in Germany I think it would hold its own running the Autobahns,slow lane only though.

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  best car wish oldsmobile wouldnt go - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By oldsmobiles best car - January 7 - 8:10 am

  My Intrigue is the best car ever. My car before this was a 1990 Honda Civic which had 188,956 miles on it.its amazing how they run alike to say their under two different companies. My inrigue has 132,000 miles on it and still rides new like it was just bought. The only problem Ive had was the passenger side rear window got stuck. This was easy to get fixed. I really love my car oh yeah and dont even get me started on the Bose CD and cassette stereo system sounds better than my house stereo which is also a Bose system.

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  Great Ride! - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Aadil3 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  This is a really nice car overall. It had great power, smooth ride, good handling, nice looks and no problems!!

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  MY GREAT ALERO - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JAKENCOOKIE - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE NOTHING BUT FUN IN THIS CAR

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  Sweet car - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By teen16 - December 28 - 3:43 pm

  I am 16 and my parents bought me this as my first car. i like it. its really reliable i have 78,500 mi on it now and it runs like it just came off the line. the thing I dont like about it is it doesnt get the best gas mileage but what can you do. It also is a old person car. But I am slowly making it nicer by putting a cold air in it, muffler system and a body kit when Im done with it it wont look like a old person car. Or sound like it.

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  Why Is This Car Discontinued? - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By JP May - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The Aurora is the best car Ive owned and unfortunately with the discontinuation of Oldsmobile, it will be my last Aurora. Too bad the phase- out of the Olds division was announced soon after the new Auroras introduction. The styling is distinctive, and with few models on the road, several people wanted to know what kind of car I was driving. The car has been completely trouble-free, solidly built, has plenty of power, and is attractively styled insode and out.

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  Nice Job, Oldsmobile! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Tom - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable, quiet, floats down the road, handles nicely, excellent brakes, sharp looking, powerful, solid feel. I took the car out the door at invoice, less over $3k in rebates! Overall a fantastic job by Oldsmobile!

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  Americas Only True Sport Sedan - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By kgr - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I read about this cars development and wanted one for years, so this year I bought one used and absolutely love it. Great styling turns heads and brings compliments. Roomy and very comfortable. Lots of intelligent touches, but the engine is the real jewel. Never had such a free revving and powerful engine before (based on the Cadillac Northstar. Great chassis, very solid, drives like a much more expensive European sport sedan, without the high foreign parts costs for repair. Service is available at the local Chevy or Olds dealership at reasonable rates. Insurance is reasonable too.

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  Excellent car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Brandon - December 17 - 4:03 pm

  Bought this car 5 months ago with 73,600 miles and now has 82,200. Runs like a brand new car. Impressive gas mileage for a V6, 25/city and 28- 31/highway. Excellent acceleration and passing power. Very roomy. Quiet and comfortable ride.

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  Love it and would buy another! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Ann in Tenn. - December 11 - 11:33 pm

  This has absolutely been the best car Ive ever owned! It now has 221,000 miles and still runs like a new one. With regular maintenance the 3.5 engine has never given a problem. The only problem was the fuel pump failed in the 2nd year but warranty covered it. Like other folks said, GM should have kept making these jewels. Its fun and sporty to drive for a family car. Ive had the foreign made cars but Im sticking to American made from now on!!!