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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  My Cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By handyrack - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable ride. Took it on 2 road trips within 2 wks after buying it. Went to Chicago, St. Paul, and back home just last yr. (2003)

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  Olds got the Intrigue right - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By GL owner - February 14 - 2:50 am

  My 1998 Intrigue GL has been a great car for me. Olds got this one right. The car has had no problems in 53,000 miles.

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  Unlikely to Recommend - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Lucky - February 14 - 2:03 am

  I have a 2004 Alero v6 4 door. Let me put it this way, I have had the car for 6 years and there is a new problem every time I turn around. I have had the brakes and rotors replaced 3 times. The wiring harness behind the steering wheel was replaced once and needs to be replaced again. This car is a magnet for old people to hit. Now my car wont start. This has to be the worst car I have had. General maintenance isnt doing anything for this car.

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  Not Worth It - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By greg - February 13 - 7:16 pm

  My Oldsmobile Silhouette had constant electrical problems. GM would not stand behind its defective intake manifold gasket problem despite a service memo noting the design issue. Is is any wonder Olds went down and GM sales are poor.

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  Great Mini Van - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By iamgene - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Van has a lot of room, and many features. It has 2 side sliding doors. The one on the passengers side opens by remotly by switch on key remote,or 2 panel switches in side of vechicle. I wish I would have paid for drivers side sliding door to open remotely too. Vehicle handles very well in the snow with traction guard. A radio,CD, Tape Player /with head phones so you dont have to listen to the kids music they have headphones in the back seat, and they can listen TapePlayer CD or Radio seperatly from you.You have to check this vechicle if you plan on buying a mini van. I am glad I did There are still too many standard features for me to list.

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  No problems so far - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By saterf - February 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the first American vehicle we have bought in a very long time due to past realiability issues. I have driven it on several 1,000 mile +, one-way trips, and have been pleased with the reliability so far.

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  Do Not Buy This Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By hatethiscar - February 8 - 2:03 pm

  I bought my Alero in 2002. The drivetrain has been fairly reliable except for some suspension problems. The real problem for me has been with the interior bits. Among other things, Ive run into: 1. Two speakers inexplicably stopped working. The worked just fined once I replaced them (with original wiring even). 2. The A/C controls are messed up. The fan will only work on the two highest settings. 3. It has a peeling dash. 4. I have four (count em!) non-working power windows. Ive had both front windows repaired multiple times, but they never seem to work longer than 6-8 months before failing again. This is, far and away, the most annoying problem Ive had with the car.

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  COST PER MILE - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Somone - February 7 - 2:00 am

  bought my car used at 20Kmile for about $13K, now it is 115Kmile and going. no trouble. Excellent bargain!thought about trading it in, say for a Passat ($,ignition coil mess), Camry ($ for the V6, insurance, premium gas), Accord ($for V6, insurance cost, premium gas), Maxima (rented one, it is OK, $$$ for the car, premium gas). It could be 10 cents per mile if I drive it to 130K. the old 3800 II V6 (also in the buick regal, LeSabre) have lasted to 250K and up. If I bought a new maxima/camry/accord for about $22K, I will have to drive them to about 190K- 220K to achieve that 10 cents a mile, and higher insurance and gas $.

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  One of GMs Best - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By hdvorin - February 6 - 1:33 am

  Bought this car new for my wife. After 7 years it still looks better than most GM cars on the road and handles like a sports car. We chose it over a Grand Prix (better interior) or a Regal (better handling/ride). Only consistent problem has been clogged fuel injectors which required periodic cleaning. If Oldsmobile had made more like this one, they might still be in business. About to trade in on a Buick LaCrosse and we hope its as reliable.

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  Olds Alero 2004 - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Jess - January 28 - 4:33 pm

  After having a Chevy 2001 Blazer this is the best car that I could have ever got with how expensive gas is. I bought it with only 9,000 miles on it and it now only has about 36,500 miles and I was the second owner of the car.