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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  Peice Of Crap - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By bravadahtr - October 23 - 7:20 pm

  I hate this car! I have had so many problems..... Transfer case motor went 3x, brought it back to dealer, turn signal didnt work. Bad ground, The front differential seized up and stopped me dead in the road. Had to flatbed it back to the dealer.The replacement costed $2,000. Sway bar links went bad in the front and back.replaced the back ones. Fronts still need to be replaced. The cam shaft positioning sensor went bad making the check engine light come on.That needed to be replaced along with two tires, tie rod end, and a thermostat housing to pass inspect. $600 for that. Now the trans. is slipping, pass wheel bearing going bad, front breaks are bad, and theres a strange rattle underneath.

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  A little short on quality - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By rmc - October 15 - 2:00 am

  The good: torquey engine, handling, braking (but see below); exterior paint/finish/styling; sound system. The bad: front brakes replaced at 28K miles-- rotors warp easily & sound creaky; interior material cheap/unrefined; poor seal on drivers side door caused sound system to short out on wet days; hazard switch went through dash (the last straw). Overall: A pretty good car with nice features that lacks refinement & compromises a little too much on quality. Was not sorry to let mine go after 56.5K miles.

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  1995 Oldsmobile Aurora - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By profjazz - October 12 - 2:00 am

  COOL, VERY FAST FOR SIZE/CLASS AN VERY LOW USED CAR PRICES>

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  Best K/G body ever - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By DBurden - October 10 - 10:20 am

  This car is highly underated. The Aurora has great grip and handling for a 3800 lb auto. The auto leveling suspension in rear takes the roll out of corning. High speed cornering is no problem. The more you dial in the tighter the grip get. Steering is better than expect. I plan on taking this car to summit point raceway to further evaluate its ability.

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  Too bad GM didnt advertise this car - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By kjb501 - October 5 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our 03 Aurora with all options - trading a 99. We wanted the last of a great line of automobiles from Olds. Overall were pleased with this car. The fit and finish are excellent, save for a flimsy headliner. Only 2000 miles on the new car - too soon to know reliability. The car was delivered almost perfect, except a missing ashtray. Dealer ordered it a month ago - hasnt arrived. We feel this car is one of the better cars GM has produced. We wanted a "final 500" edition, but the badges looked cheap. Why GM never ran a TV campaign for this car is a mystery. The brand identity is ?. Thats a real shame.

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  dont do it - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ready to get rid of - October 5 - 10:00 am

  At 9000 miles, brakes went out on me three times. Had to replace brakes a rotors. At 23000 had to replace fuel pump, at 31000 replaced power steering pump. Doors stay messed up, have had three of the four doors fixed at different times. Fuel gauge is off, have to find a station at little over quarter tank. Drivers window wont roll down, already fixed passengers window in back also.Its gonna cost over three hundred dollars to fix the window. Pass side door stays stuck now. Door locks possessed, they click locked unlocked on their own continuiously, have to take out the fuse to get them to stop. Lots of road noise also.

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  about the air bags - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By fladad - October 4 - 2:13 pm

  I am writing about the rear air suspension air bags. Just replaced mine at 91000 miles. Dealer wanted $744 not incl compressor. I had a truck shop that specializes in raising suspensions and custom jobs install them for $125..Now my Bravada doesnt hav sagging rear end anymore!

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  Solid, dependable car - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By Kapok - October 3 - 12:10 am

  Bought the car in 02 with 60K miles on it. Now has 189K and still going strong. However, it has a main seal and oil pan gasket leaks, too much $$ to spend on such an old car. It has served my family well.

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  luv the Olds - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By C Tivey - September 28 - 10:00 am

  great handling, smooth power, tight body, good looks very usuable space, well thought out vehicle! I know its a jazzed up Blazer, but has more class and looks and is that much differant with smarttrac to boot. Great family vehicle without getting a monster suv.

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  cracked block 17000 miles NOT ABUSED - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By meatball - September 28 - 8:33 am

  1 service - service engine soon -- new gas cap installed 2 same problem--- new gas tank installed 3 cracked block !! 17000 miles -26 days out of service 4 Afraid to start car each day!!!