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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  Old Used Car, still runs like new - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By kjreinha - July 8 - 4:07 pm

  OK, So I found one that really was owned by an 80+yr old couple. Our just bought, 62k miles Intrigue, really shocked me with its smooth performance, handling, acceleration and ride. I cleaned some carbon off the BTRFLY valve in the throttle body because the pedal was a little sticky and dropped in a new PCV valve ($3) and this car runs again like it is brand new. Dealer had all the records and showed only typical maintenance, OTW all original. I am not partial to any brand, and this was used, but I have been very impressed with a 14+yr old car running this well and looking this good. My highschool kids feel pretty lucky to have such a nice car to drive.

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  Top Notch Sedan - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Intrigue Owner - July 5 - 2:50 am

  GOOD: Excellent ride and handling; out performs the competition (3.8L V6); sleek and luxurious exterior styling; reliability- the car has only been in the shop to replace the ignition. BAD: Fuel economy (havent broken 18 MPG since Ive owned it); ergonomics, I have to reach to fiddle with the HVAC and radio (Im 62"); Build quality isnt up to the standards of the Asian brands, weatherstripping on below the driver window is peeling, trim on the top of the front pass. Door wont stay in place; my car has a slight vibration at high speeds (may just need to be balanced) and when braking (probably needs new pads). But overall, an excellent car.

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  A great choice - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Weller - July 1 - 9:10 pm

  Very enjoyable to own and drive with around town mileage around 22 to 23 mpg, equal to or better than what we got with our previoys Oldsmobile LS sedan. Over the road we get about 28 to 29 mpg, about 2 mpg less than with our previous olds LS sedan, a 1997 model. We hope GM continues to produce this kind of a car for our next purchase with equal or hopefully even better gas economy!

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  Buyer Beware - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Mel - July 1 - 12:40 pm

  I have had this car for less than two years. During this time I have replaced the alternator, water pump, driver side window motor, sensor on engine, ABS sensor,wheel bearings,repair emergency brake, coil for spark plugs, brakes and rotors. It is low mileage for a 1999 - only 68,000 miles. Each time we repair it, we think well be okay for a while. I am tired of the cost and am searching for another reliable car now.

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  Down with the quickness - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ken - June 30 - 7:56 am

  I bought my alero in march of 05, it had 73,000 miles now in Oct of 08 117456 no problems replaced front brakes a year ago tops, and one tune- up. V6, power everything 0-60 5.4sec pretty impressive. rides a little rough I thought mine did great in the snow. Unplowed country roads after 8 inches of snow never got it stuck. it is a glorified grand am i would definitely own another one

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  Excellent - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Emily B. - June 29 - 12:30 pm

  Bought it salvaged, and surprisingly the only problem so far is a malfunctioning window. Car has excellent MPG--I once clocked it at 34 hwy--and coasts around town like a dream. Heater can be a little weird; otherwise loaded with good functional features. Accelerates on a dime, quiet, fast.

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  good till 67,000 then falls apart - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By GREGw - June 29 - 2:00 am

  we bought a new 2000 model and all was good in the land until we hit 67,000 miles..It started with a brand new transmission,then the brakes went out (while my wife and kids are in the van),then oxygen sensor then 24 hrs later the other sensor,and the air conditor,the drivers window motor, both front tie rods,manifold intake valve,leak in the radiator..If you are going to buy american(which I will never do again,it is inferior to foreign) make sure you buy the extended warranty,thank heavens we had that wisdom..in all over $7,000 of work has been done on this van that is only worth maybe 10 grand

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  Straight Up Lemon - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By reddstunta - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is junk and was made too fast. The only good thing is that I have not had any motor problems. The inside is garbage, my top light just fell down, my driver side window borke twice, sometimes it does not crank, the rubber around the windshield is continuing coming up. The worse of all the dash board is coming up and look all wrinkle. This car is a lemon and practically worthless. It had a nice body style and outer appeal but it toatal garbage. I will never buy another. I hate this car, there is a new problem with it constantly.

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  Great ride - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By JDavid - June 23 - 5:00 pm

  Best drivers cockpit available. Fun ride, extraordinary comfort with sporty handling & great responsiveness. Outstanding drive train. Good build. Bottom line: I wish GM still made this car!

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  Bad money after bad - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By broke down - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Had problems with this car from the get go. Weve replaced the transmission, front differntial, bearings, fuel injectors, etc. I keep thinking that the car should be brand new by now, but like clockwork once a quater it is in the shop with a $1,000 plus bill. I could save for a new car if it would just run a few months without a mechanics bill.