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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  Best Car Ever Owned - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jackrabbit-69 - August 10 - 10:00 am

  This has no problems what so ever!

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  Come Back Olds ! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Ann P. - August 9 - 9:28 am

  I purchased my 2000 intrigue in 2001, with 23 thousand miles on it. This car has been the best investment Ive ever made because I still use it nearly everyday with no problems. It still rides like a top and still peppy! After 17 yrs, the air conditioner has stopped working and needs to be checked out( it works but dont blow cold air). The fuses have had to be changed once over the years but thats about it. It is the best riding car in the snow and other bad weather. My Intrigue now has 167,000 miles and still rides smooth and quiet. I would definitely buy a new one if they still made them!

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  My Olds - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Dan Bar - August 4 - 10:00 am

  Got this car to replace totlly worthless junker of an accord. Bought it used with 28k miles. The 3.4 v6 has good power especially low and middle ranged tourque and the 4 speed hyramatic gives crisp and responsive upshifts and downshifts. Handling is almost as good as a BMW 3 series with the sport suspension and the stereo is really nice as well. Good fuel milage when drivien conservativly but goes down fast when driven hard. Overall I really love this car and will keep even after I get a new caar some 5 years down the road as a collectors Item

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  Most Reliable Vehicle I Have Ever Owned in 32 Years - 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By alienrealtor - July 27 - 5:26 pm

  In my eyes its good looking, my kids are not thrilled about its appearance though. It has been a good and very reliable friend. It does not require much maintenance or repair. I have 112,000 miles on it and its still very solid. Obviously it is not a good idea to sell it, you wont be paid much for it and the clear coat is still shiny, so why bother. Its paid for and the insurance is peanuts on it. This Anniversary Edition has every luxury option and they all work fine! If you find one, dont hesitate to buy it. Its a very nice vehicle. Oil changes every 3,000 miles are a must, Synthetic oil will give you about 30 MPG on the highway, every so often go for the high octane gas that has cleaners (BP Gold, Chevron 93 or Shell 93).

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  Owner - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By juanita martin - July 24 - 1:10 pm

  Bought new on 12-09-1993 now has 130,000 miles have had very little repairs to make still driving with satisfaction.

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  Love My `98 `88LS - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By Jobuck1 - July 18 - 3:56 pm

  I bought this car used last year from a dealership and they put me in touch with the previous owner. Luckily he was an older fellow who had bought the car new and had taken excellent care of it. All the servicing done on time, and logged in the owners manual. I was able to pick right up where he left off. About once a month I make a trip up through the Ozark mountains on a twisting, up and down highway and I love the way the car handles and performs. I think that 3.8L is one of the better motors ever manufactured. Plenty of power and and decent gas mileage. I get around 19mpg in town and 26mpg on the highway. All in all Ive been very satisfied with this car.

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  Excel & Excellent - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By fortyphyve - July 10 - 10:00 am

  My Oldsmobile Silhouette excells and is excellent already.

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  01 Aurora - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Tom - July 4 - 4:23 pm

  I bought the car used. Its resale is suffering so badly that I got a terrific deal. After getting this kind of deal, I could care less about resale as I plan to keep the car for a very long time. It is very comfortable, looks great, and handles fine. I have had no problems with it other than normal maintenance.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By tgnmb - July 3 - 2:16 am

  Other than routine maintance, my Oldsmobile Intrigue has been a champ through long trips and city stop and go driving. I had back surgery and this is the most comfortable car that I have ever sat in. The power is incredible for this style car and with the airbag system I feel safe. The sound system is awesome, it has the OEM sound Ive heard - and Im a sound man and electrician. My son is comfortable and safe in this car and that makes the differnce. It also has trunk space for many long trips. It saddens me that GM decided to stop the Oldsmobile line because if they came out with a new Intrigue I would buy it. Mine now has nearly 130,000 miles on it, but Im sure she has a lot of miles left.

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  Long term owner - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By CE - June 28 - 1:50 am

  Bought used as a GM "program" car and have never regretted purchase. I have put 104,000 miles on this beauty and it has never let me down. The exterior has held up exceptionally well and the interior as well. Had some warranty work on AC vents (plastic broke), replaced an actuator on the rear window, and have an oil pan gasket leaking (engine has to be removed to fix--wont do that). I am on my 2nd set of tires--the Michelins OEM tires went 65000 miles before I replaced and it looks like the ones on it now will go as far. Good ride and handling, fast as a snake, and comfortable on the road. Very quiet idling--that still amazes me, cant hear or feel it even after all these years.