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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  A Great Olds - Sorry to see them go. - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By IntrigueOwner559 - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Bought slightly used from a GM dealer for thousands less than a similar age and equipped Accord or Camry, and what a huge improvement of features over either of those cars. This car has been a great choice. Only minor repairs (radio button) and scheduled maintenance. This is a great value for all you get: Auto dual zone heater, Auto Headlamps, Radio Antenna in rear window. All the great options. Mine is a GLS, top of the line, so may have options others don’t, but I love the ride and the power. Also gets over 30mpg on the highway on a long flat trip with cruise set at 75.

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  Love My Bravada - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By JayKay - March 28 - 6:50 pm

  I purchased my 2004 Bravada after riding in a friends Bravada. I was impressed enough with the comfortable ride that I had to get one of the last Bravadas made. Even with gas prices at $4.00 - I wont give up the luxury of the Olds Bravada.

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  BYE - Intrique - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BYE-OLDS - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This was my first and Unfortunately my last Olds. I can not say enough about this automobile... No troubles, great to drive, great engine:):)..

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  Love the car! - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By AliK - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Went from a VW to this and Im glad I did. Its sporty and a very reliable car. For a smaller car there isnt that "tin" sound when you close the doors. The acceleration is great.

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  Alero is an Arrow - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Sharkey - March 24 - 10:36 am

  I love my Alero. All is good with the car. If there were one thing I could change on it, that would be the road noise. I am running Goodyear Eagle GT,s, and the road noise is a little high. Other than that, the car is GREAT !! The handling is quick and precise. The trunk has lots of room ! Seats are great. I guess there is one other thing I would change, and that is the headroom. I am a little tall though. But with the seat adjustment, I can lower the seat to a comfortable possition and all is good. Two of the best features of the car are its suprising power and its AWESOME looks. I DO LOVE THIS CAR !!!!!

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  Great Looks/Perks bad Design - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Marc - March 20 - 5:53 pm

  Bought the vehicle off of my parents. Since new, the car had to be taken itn for repairs about 2-3 times a year. It has gone through about 4 wheel bearing, 2 sets of struts, new Drive/Pass seatbelts, 2 resistors for the blower, intake gasket issues twice and replaced the alternator after 90,000 miles. There were other issues but these are being pulled from the top of my head. The good looks on the out and inside are very nice, the drive and handling are excellent and the stock sound system is better than anyone would expect. One should expect problems with this car, but as consumer reports is showing this is expected from most GM vehicles. I would not recommend this car.

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  Former Toyota Owner - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By S. Racer - March 11 - 1:33 am

  My first car ever was a 72 Nova SS. The mechanic saw this car more than I did. This experience made me vow to never own an American car. Ive owned 4 Toyotas, including an MR2 (best car Ive ever had). When the Alero came out, I had to go back on my vow. I currently am driving a slick looking black V-6 coupe. Only major problem Ive had was a power steering leak. Besides this, my Aleros quality build has been much better than what I expected. The power under the hood is scary (Im thinking about getting a radar detector). Seating is good in the front AND the back. The styling is terrific! Beware: This car drinks gas like crazy. Besides this, its a very fun & cool car to drive.

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  I agree - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By chairmanfat - March 9 - 4:56 am

  All the same problems: brake rotors that are worthless, a recall on the turn signal problem, and a rapid depreciation but I like the car. Weird. When I think of the crap I could have bought for same money ( I went in with a budget and stuck to it) I really like the car. I wont buy from GM again though. The last American car I owned was in 1984. There just isnt any excuse for the problems they have with this car. They must do it on purpose, seriously. They cant be this stupid.

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  Cheap and dependable - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By its paid for - March 6 - 9:33 am

  Yes, this car is about as much fun as watching molasses run uphill, in January. But it is bullet proof mechanically, and gets me from point A to B without fail. The V-6 never missed a beat, and after 168k miles, still refused to use a drop of oil. HVAC is one of the better features.

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  1999 Cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Josh L - March 5 - 12:33 pm

  The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a pretty good vehicle. It offers up respectable comfort, looks nice and is fun to drive. 0 to 60 time is about 8 seconds, not to great but will do for 150 hp. Overall I enjoy the car.