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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  Okay overall - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Tea - March 28 - 2:00 am

  At 14,595 mi a small oil leak;engine rear main seal replaced. At 29,784 mi replaced frt door top moldings; new design added a screw to keep them from sliding backward which made them rub on front of rear door. Twice dealer has added a/c fluid which helped temporarily but still does not cool car as well as it should. Not easy to keep in a straight ahead line; maybe it needs alignment but I have not had it checked. Front seat backs do not support my mid-back area (Im 60"). Performance excellent. Avg 25.5 mpg..ranges 19 to 28.5. Overall "okay" but not as trouble-free as our Camrys nor as easy to steer. Warranty covered what has been done so far.

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  Not a Toyota, But not Bad - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By bbcro - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Initially disappointed w/interior build quality and materials. Things fell off and we didnt know where they came from (read, VERY plastic interior). Radio has been replaced 3 times, right door speaker twice, driver side seat heater twice, and rear window washer has failed so many times I gave up on it. But... the dealer was terrific (Bush Olds/GMC, Lenoir NC) always ready with a loaner and would pick up/drop off if necessary. Last van was Previa, better overall quality, but Olds is much more car-like and cheaper to repair.

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  GMs best is now gone - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Last Olds - March 20 - 6:00 pm

  Why shoud GM sell Auroas when people will by the same car for $15,000 more just to have a Cadillac wreath on it. I love my Aurora. It gets great milage and has a smooth and powerful V8 engine. Its quiet, fun to drive, and completly trouble free. It is GMs best kept secret.

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  Great truck - 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By boot185 - March 18 - 10:34 am

  I love my bravada. I have added helper springs and air shocks extra tans cooler as I use it to pull camper and trailers for 50% of the time. Nice ride when I have the air low on the shocks. I have plenty of power with the 4.3L HO. I do wish it had a 4 low option. AWD is the best and love it. The rear window rattles due to the design of it but not loud. I have a 4 inch lift with allows me to drive in up to 22 inches of heavy pack snow before the wheels will even spin. Next winter hoping to add a plow on it. I use it as a work horse and its a great one also good driver Mine also has the G80 axle option which is a dana 35 posi traction. Also makes a great family vehicle.

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  great suv - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By 3driver - March 11 - 10:00 am

  A great truck, fun to drive, had some little things that needed repared.

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  Very comfortable car - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Jasmine Brown - March 4 - 10:00 am

  it is a very good reliable car.

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  1999 - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By KatyHorn - February 25 - 10:00 am

  This van is the sharpest looking van on the road. Only compaliants are poor location of front drink holders and the fact that we have had to replace battery twice in less than 4 years.

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  Wonderful! - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By vanillamynt blast - February 20 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our Bravada in June and have been utterly addicted ever since. It is wonderful; the build-quality issues all the magazines harp about are nowhere near as bad as they are made to sound. The SUV is very practical, luxurious, VERY powerful, has a wonderful Bose sound system, and the AWD is extremely useful. It drives nearly as well as our Aurora 4.0. Wonderfully done, Olds and GM!

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  Dissatisfied - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Disappointed Buyer - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car brand new and it was the first time that I ever bought an American made car. I have been displeased overall with this car. I have had so many minor issues with this car (leaking sunroof, leaking rear passenger door seal, broken drivers side sun visor clips, sqeaky breaks, fasten seat belts light malufunctioning, just to name a few.) I would encourage any consumer to think think twice about purchasing this vehicle. Did I mention that the Olds line of cars are no longer going to be manufactured?

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  good car - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Dana - February 19 - 9:50 am

  I bought this car 2 years ago used and it has not failed me yet. After I first bought it I had it checked by a mechanic and the only problem was a small leak in the transmissions right axle but the dealership fixed it for me after ordering the part and I havent had any problem since. Great car.