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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  2002 Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By jefandchel - April 11 - 11:53 pm

  I bought this vehicle new and have kept it dealer maintained. It has been and continues to be a great vehicle. 270 horses and a smooth, sporty ride, and the capability to be a real family utility vehicle. I think Ill keep her! (I actually have a new 08 Acadia slt-1 in the driveway that Im test driving) these reviews have assisted me in changing my mind about trading in!

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  yikes - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By sklieves - March 28 - 3:05 pm

  replaced the motor twice, eats tires its getting old over 200,000 miles worked great in its younger days the door stink, they never want to shut

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  Why did I wait so long? - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Dergs0 - March 22 - 1:23 am

  Powerful, smooth powertrain. Rides like a luxury sedan. Drop dead gorgeous, gets lots of looks. Equiped with all the creature comforts youd ever want. This is my first SUV. Why did I wait so long? Unique and stylish so it does not blend in with all the boxy looking Fords out there.

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  Not bad if you ask me. - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Gundy1024 - March 20 - 2:00 am

  We have only had this vehicle for a year but have been really happy with it. I bought it with 35k miles and have put about 10k on it since then. Other than less than average fuel economy and having to replace a belt tensioner pulley I cant say anything bad about it.

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  Bravada Review - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bravada Bob - March 20 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Bravada (1997, 2000, 2002).I really like the styling and performance. Three problems to date: The memory mirror sometimes get forgetful, bad paint job on the hood when I took delivery and now having paint problems with lower panel behind the back door, and now have an intermittent shrill whistling sound from the passenger side front wheel area. Dealer says it is not the brakes???, but the owners manual sure indicates that is the problem. Have 3200 miles on the vehicle. Anyone else have this problem??? I am concerned about a safety problem here.

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  starting car - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By joyce - March 19 - 4:00 pm

  Our 2003 Alero wont start. Had to have it towed to dealership. Dont know yet how come. Anyone else having problems with it not starting?

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  Good value - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By sputnick - March 10 - 10:00 am

  My 3.5 has been very dependable. I like the new style - it definitely turns heads, with people asking what is it? Comfortable on highway and good handling in city. Compares very favorably to imports when consider the price.

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  A little more than Vanilla - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By swimmercr - March 9 - 8:57 pm

  This is my first car and I am 17. So far, it has been a good car. I have the GX with an optional spoiler. Have had the car for 5 mos. I have had minimal problems with it. All i had to do was change the front left signal light. I have heard some rumors about this car. Some good, some not. It had best in class performance (at the time) and the interior is filled with nice touches and the fun "ninja cup holder". I have 86k miles on mine and got it for free. It was from my grandma when she died. Unfortunately, it has white stripes on the tires -_- So far, good car. It is good at being a little more than a car. I want to plasti-dip the wheels and put a fart can on it. And aftermarket radio & sub

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  My Oldmobile Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Kedibee - February 11 - 9:00 pm

  I bought this car in 2006 with 63,000 miles on it. I have driven it for exactly two years now and have changed both bearings in front two times. Right now, it looks like I need to change them again. I will be driving it for straight 1700 miles, of course with sleeping breaks as long as 6 hours. I will know after this trip if this car is truly a good one.

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  Ok, but some problems - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By finderskeepers - February 10 - 7:30 pm

  We bought our Silhouette for its creature comforts, but many of them have since failed us. It has 60,000 miles on it, but the rear air no longer works, nor does the drivers heated seat. I have had the rear air shocks replaced (not cheap), the battery replaced, and the original spec tires were gone by 40,000 miles. The engine always sounds like a diesel on start-up, lots of knocking going on until warmed up. On the plus side, it always starts, ihas buttery smooth leather seats, has a comfortable ride, and adequate power (but not overwhelming). I like the good sounding audio system and genuine 7 passenger seating.