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:

• 

  Love My Coupe! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ms.cheski - February 1 - 6:20 am

  I have had this car for about 18 months now and love it! This car had nearly 77k miles on it when purchased and were up to 106k. I have the V6 motor and it has some serious power. Gas mileage isnt spectacular, but were not too ginger, either. Around town we get 22-24, highway weve gotten up to 27 when shes all tuned up. Its solid and does well in the snow, too. There have been a couple issues with tie rods and once our rotors were practically rusted through- but I think they were cheap parts as we have not had the problem again. There is some issue with a few sensor lights coming on even tho nothing is wrong-I just ignore it. Only trading in because Im pregnant and we need four doors.

• 

  I miss my Intrigue. - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Jay - January 31 - 12:43 pm

  Best. Car. Ever. I had this car since 03 and it never failed on me. I got 200,000+ miles on this car and it would have been more had I not gotten into an accident. It would have been 10 years old next year and it was still running great. The interior is great and I was glad to drive a car that looked like a car, rather than some boxy car like the Prius or Malibu. Also, another reason why I like this car was because I was able to drive it through the mud (I live in a rural area) and there was nothing like going into town and driving next to a pathetic hummer that never touched dirt -- this is why the Intrigue rules!

• 

  What a bargain - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By MEA17 - January 29 - 11:33 am

  I bought mine as a used car and got a fantastic deal. I knew the car was underrated, but it is much better than expected. It has a real luxury car feel with solid performance. My wife considers it the equal of her Lexus ES. The understated but elegant styling, attractive and classy interior, comfort and multitude of features get many compliments. As a long distance all weather cruiser, it is hard to beat.

• 

  Decent, affordable - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Michael - January 27 - 6:36 am

  Our Oldsmobile intrigue is pretty much standard options. Not long after we bought it the air conditioner went out. Also it makes a loud noise when you turn the steering wheel. Although we bought it used with 140,000 miles. I think it was a wonderful car for the money. Gas mileage is 21 mpg city 30 mpg highway. I would suggest this car to anybody.

• 

  mikes olds - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By mr.g - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Like the car very much. great pickup onto ramps. front seating very comforable. front dash not easy to change heat and air cond. very large trunk. no problems till now. had to replace one senssor for fuel or air intake. did no other repairs except for maintainence.

• 

  Ode to Olds - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By dbliss - January 16 - 10:00 am

  I will never understand why GM canned the Olds division. It was always my favorite. I turned in an ALero for a Bravada. Both are great cars. I didnt want an SUV at first but it drove like a car. Its sharp, sporty and versital. I love it!

• 

  Tale of an Alero - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Radkor - January 16 - 6:06 am

  I bought my 00 Alero w/32000 mi in May 01 as an rebuildable. This car has been great! 37mpg. Fuel regulator replaced under warranty, Frt brakes & rotors rplcd at 50k, rears at 70k, tires every 55k. Replaced poorly designed pass dr window regulator for $70 via boneyard. $80 flasher was to be rplcd under warranty but GM stopped that because it was a rebuilable. I love that car, everyone thought the factory 8 spker CD was aftermarket, it is that good! I was never tired after 9hr drives, and I have a bad back. I beat that car, I learned how to do 360s in the Red Hot Rod, what my kids called it. drove 4yrs. Its my daughters now.

• 

  2000 alero after 11 years - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mountaintop1 - January 13 - 7:48 pm

  This has been a great car, great mileage, and very little problems. 108000 miles so far, cant complain I will be buying a new car soon, I hope it will be as good.

• 

  112,000 Miles - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Josh - January 13 - 3:13 pm

  Well I bought my Alero two and a half years ago. Keep in mind that I drive this vehicle close to 140 miles a day, and close to 40,000 miles a year. I have replaced 5 wheel bearings, the fuel pump, fuel filter, coil pack, spark plugs, brakes (numerous times), warped rotors - for a total of close to $4,000 in repairs in two and a half years. Also the resale value is horrible. Dealers offered me $3,500 for a 2002. I still owe more than that. I am sorry to say that my next vehicle purchase will be a Toyota. GM has lost my business and probably will never get it back unless I buy a Corvette.

• 

  A Nice Ride - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Brian J. - January 11 - 4:10 am

  I recently got a used Intrigue. It was in good condition with only 90,000 miles. It rides great and has good acceleration. Its fuel economy is average, I get about 330 miles to the tank. It is a good car to have. I have had no problems with it so far and the car had no history of problems. Bottom line: this is a good car to have.