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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  Great American Gem - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By joemastertrader - April 5 - 10:00 am

  My car has 92,000 miles on it and I have not had to make one repair, except for oil changes, one set of brakes and tires, this car has not cost me a dime. Gas milege is very reasonable. I drive 70 miles a day and average around 24 miles to the gallon. With my 70 mile round trip commute, I have found the seating very comfortable. I have found an American gem. This car provides all of the features, look, handling and functionality I could ask for in a car. With ample space for a family of 5, I doubt a Japanese car in its class could compare!!

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  First Lemon I have owned - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Terri - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I like the drive, room, features, etc. and it ends there. I have owned this van for 8 years and this is what has gone wrong above regular maintenance issues: front windshield wipers - never worked properly, power windows - have to hand pull the windows up, fuel gauge broken, heated seats died after three years, problems with automatic sliding door, tires always going flat - the list goes on and on. I spent $4,000 in fixes last year alone. The best I can get for it on trade is $1,500. Not impressed.

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  Great Car - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By MrNichols - April 1 - 7:56 pm

  Really love this car. For an SUV, is very quick with plenty of power. Has a much better feel than other SUVs I tested and the two things that are superb on this car are the brakes and the very small turning radius. The brakes just grab real good and you can stop on a dime.

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  Fun to Drive in Good Weather - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Jerry Elliott - March 30 - 9:26 pm

  Ive owned this vehicle for 3 years and had no maintenance problems except the usual tires, brakes, and battery changes. The front suspension was a bit squeaky the first year or two but seems to have settled down. The biggest drawback has been this cars performance in the snow. Though it is FWD, the Enhanced Traction System (which can be turned off with the push of a button) actually makes it more difficult to control the slippage and power of the vehicle. Overall, the vehicle is a little noisy, but fun to drive, even on long road trips.

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  Luv my Alero - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By brenda23 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd Alero...been driving Aleros since 1999. I love the stylish looks and feel of this car! It zips around town (3.4 6 cyl) with ease and love how it handles, especially on tight curves. Like the dashboard layout - easy to reach stereo and controls. Quality car!

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  Initially skeptical - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By bullet - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Upon purchasing the Olds I began to get sweaty palms thinking that I was going to have quality problems. Most reviews had the Honda or Chrysler as the van to purchase and also the common public opinion that Japanese imports are made better. However I just liked the look and ride of the Olds. And I have not been dissappointed in anyway. This van has been a superior vehicle in everyway.

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  Great Vehicle - Fun to Drive! - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Granto - March 28 - 10:00 am

  The car provides greeaattt power, looks good, and not every Tom, Dick and Harry drives one. I notice other drivers checking it out as I drive around town.

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  Keep looking. - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Keith Colledge - March 27 - 5:47 am

  119K when I bought it, so far I have redone the rear brakes, one wheel bearing, numerous lights, major and with no warning oil leak,thermostat, tie rod end,and battery. Im told it needs a rack and pinion, ($800) and the crankshaft position sensor keeps malfunctioning. All in 3 years, 17K miles.

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  Do Not Buy - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By deeprig9 - March 24 - 12:39 pm

  I bought in 2002 with 38k m and now (2011) has 214k. Pwr Windows break constantly. Intake and Head gaskets go constantly, can limp it along 10k miles at a time with sealer additives, if you are poor and dont mind being stranded constantly. Clearcoat starts peeling all over car around 90k. CD/tape stop working at about 70k. Any work that involves the belt must be done by mech, due to motor mount running through the belt = drop engine ;( The performance on the V-6 is actually really good, when its running correctly. Security feature will disable your ignition constantly. These complaints apply also to Grand Ams and Aleros from 99-2002. "Dex-Cool" systems= stay away.

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  Pleasant ride - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By AZmutants - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this minivan for about 3 years now and have had only one minor problem with a sticking brake. Otherwise, no other warranty work required. It rides smooth and has nice acceleration for a minivan. Definitely more spacious than many of the other brands.