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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  Hard to beat this one! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By GaryB - October 9 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle now has 91K miles and doesnt leak a drop of oil! Fun to drive and very practical. Not too small not to big. 3.8 V-6 delivers more than I need for interstate survival. Seats could be better built. Creature comforts are more than adequate. Great value for your dollar. Dont waste $ on a Honda!

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  Fits Like a Glove - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alero Boy - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought my first Alero GLS Sedan in 2000. I loved this car since I first saw it in 98 at the Auto Show. Its a good mix sportiness and class. The brake rotors are worthless. I went through 4 sets, all during the warranty. The intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced at 50k, which was after warranty period. I sold 4 of my friends on Alero & they also had the same problems and nothing more. I traded in for an 03 GLS Coupe this passed February to take advantage of the $5000 in rebates I qualified for. Too bad GM is dropping Olds; its the only division that actually has what it takes to compete with the imports.

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  Another Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alero Boy - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 00 Alero GLS sedan for this 03 GLS coupe in February because of the $5000 in rebates I qualified for. The new one seems less quality. My tailights are not sealed properly, so when rains, the water gets in & there has actually been sparks in there so the inside of the tail lights are burnt. The Tire Pressure monitor was eliminated for 03 and the hood in the 00 has struts, but they changed to prop rod in 2001. Nonetheless, its still the perfect car for me. I would like to get one of the Final 500 next year, but if not, Ill just hold on to this one.

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  Great Car, Expensive Repairs - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By missava - October 7 - 1:11 am

  Oldsmobiles have been in my family for years. I just purchased my Intrigue last year and I have had nothing but problems with it. Theyre minor problems that happen with older cars, however the repairs add up to more than the cars blue book value. I love how it performs and its great in the Colorado snow! But I think its time to retire my beautiful car. I was really hoping to turn it into a real American car collectors item one day.

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  Luv my Olds - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By luv my olds - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Super vehicle, runs great, looks great, all the toys, and I received 5 years 100,000 km warranty - a nice bonus compared to GMs anemic usual 3 year 60,000 km.

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  Great Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By AE - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car now for over two years and I have had no problems except for the brakes. The car gets great gas mileage and handles very well. The Goodyear tires will be replaced; little bit excessive road noise. Has excellent power and the handling is not too hard or too soft. I picked this car over the Accord and Camry because of more size and gas mileage. I put about 35-40K miles a year on the car.

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  my aurora - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By paul4227 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  i have driven this car from md to fla and it is the most comfortable and reliable car i haveever owned..i have had numerous cars but this is an automobile that is class. on the trips from md to fla i still get 23 to 24 mpg event tho i can drive up to 80-85 on long strtches of the trip..even at this speed you cannot imagine youre really going that fast the aurora just glides along...

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Mr. Stambaugh-tubbs - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Got the Intrigue in Nov of 2001 with 32000 miles on it, its got 54000 now. Was looking for a used car, hadnt really considered and Olds. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised upon test driving this one. The 3800 series II cranks out plenty of oomph when you need it. Weve only had one problem with it so far, the idler/tensioner pulley failed - cost about 40$ to repair. Gas mileage always surprises me for the size of engine/car it is. Usually around 25-27 mpg on avg. Stereo sounds great, seats are comfy. I like the overrideable traction control feature.

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  Olds Sillouhette - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Buyn Brian - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Overall a solid van for the family

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  OLDS TO THE MAX!!! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By FiSh - September 2 - 10:00 am

  A great car. This is my second car.... after a 2000 Inifiniti G20. This V6 is so awesome! I hope this car will last the rest of my life! Very powerful, excellent steering radius, and a well rounded car! Always fun to drive. I love speeding past those fancy BMWs on the highway! A MUST BUY!