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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  Not Perfect, But Good Enough - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Jess K - April 24 - 1:06 pm

  We purchased this car used from another owner at just under 100,000 miles. In terms of comfort and performance, the car was solid. Definitely a better experience than I expected. The design is great, but the car left something to be desired in terms of quality. I didnt end up spending a ton on major repairs, but I regularly found myself dishing out cash for minor issues like broken turn signal and power windows - both known issues with the Intrigue. Also, the cars fuel economy seemed to decline with time. In the end, I lost the car at only 140,000 mi to an intake and head gasket leak that was not caught in time to save the engine - yet another known problem with Intrigues.

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  Excellent Automobile - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bop T Panackes - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I am a big oldsmobile fan and since the 2004 Bravada is there last car i just had to buy one. I am quite impressed with this car. I love it!!!

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  best car ever owned - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By tomtom22 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned and I have owned my share of 3 Fords, 4 Olds, 2 Chevy, 3 Plymouths a VW, a Toyota and going back to my first car a 49 fast back Chevvie sedan.

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  2003 Olds Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By alero_blues - April 15 - 10:00 pm

  I bought this Alero in 2004, for 12K being a year old with only 23K on it, seemed like a good deal. Still paying it off today, have had the front rotor replaced, brakes, tires, battery, fuel pump and windshield replaced. The only problem I keep on having is a small water leak into the fuse box from somewhere around the windshield area, had it replaced, was good for a year, then it started leaking after a 3 day rain. By this point I am tired of dealing with the cost of trying to find the problem and just want a car that doesnt leak. I love my Alero, but i need something that is a little less water loving. Great design, like the seat and stereo set up, even though car is compact and comfy.

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  What a Piece of Junk! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Mike Olesky - April 12 - 2:00 am

  My Intrigue has a leak from oil its pan. The dealer replaced gasket, and it still leaks. They refused to redo the repair. The inlet manifold failed, there was a coolant leak. I guess that this is a common problem for GM. It also failed on my S10. Thanks GM for testing plastic inlets on the public. attle from rear. Dealer couldnt find Had to replace valve cover gaskets. ABS valve body failed at 50000 miles. Steering shaft problem. Dealer fixed. Rack & pinion leaked. dealer fixed Stereo failng. dealer said "common problem" Overall noisy ride, clunks and rattles. Sway bar broke, for no good reason, at 60000 miles. Didnt hit a pothole or jump a curb. This is my wifes car and I took good care of it. Car was never abused. Over all just a piece of junk.

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  New Owner in Maryland - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JessinMD - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought it 3 weeks ago,so far I like it except... Top of the list: Cupholders,who designed this so I can get a wack at them.Just me or do you have to take the car out of park to get a big cup in the holder? Shakes at 80mph. Oops then again Im not suppose to go that fast. The trunk, could have not spent a few more dollars on the parts.Those little fake me out screws just dont cut it.Most have fallin out, the others wont stay in.Think its a decent car,then again its my first car of course its decent.Crossing my fingers that I dont have horror stories like the other reviewers.

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  Buy Toyota - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Donewithit - April 10 - 2:00 am

  3 years owing this car, thank God it had a warranty. Power window motor went out, strut became unattached, paint peeling, hazard button fell through the dash, doors required realignment, noisy, and cruise control stopped working. If you enjoy visiting the dealer then this car is for you. My car has two days left on the warranty and Im getting rid of it now.

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  I hope your wallet is loaded!!! - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Kstas - April 8 - 10:00 am

  39,000(took ownership). 42,000 Major steering issues, still ongoing, dealer fixes and problem reoccurs 2 wks later. Dealer insists no problem & is trying to tell me to buy another set of tires when just bought a set at 43,500. Even put on new GM chrome rims, no help just better look. 43,636 camshaft folded (engine replaced)$50.00 deductible. 47,683 window regulator. 50,617 Brake booster seal (warranty). 56,391 Oil level sensor(warranty). 57,543 (leak) housing for license plate bulbs ($145 GM reimbursed). 65,077 water pump $50.00 deductible. 71,300 Transmission Input Speed Sensor($50 deduct) & Secondary Air Injection Pump(not covered $365 repair). Still costly even with extended warranty.

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  Like a champ - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By champ - April 6 - 8:30 pm

  Ive treated this car like absolute garbage since I bought it at 40,000 miles, all Ive done is a 5000 mile oil change and change the tires. Some cheap parts on the interior and the passenger side window doesnt work all the time when it gets hot, other than that, I need to give a tune-up soon so it wil go another 108,000 miles

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  Still Satisfied - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By wigz - March 30 - 2:03 pm

  Nearly 72 months now as original owner. The Intrigue GL still delivers on all expectations. The intermediate steering shaft needs lubrication for the first time but its not a critical maintenance issue. Most GM W-Body cars need that $100 dealer service only once in 100,000 miles. Other than that no unscheduled services required. 90 percent of my driving is in the city and the car averages 19 miles-per-gallon. All-in-all its been a pretty darn nice car!