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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  2003 Olds Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By alero_blues - April 15 - 10:00 pm

  I bought this Alero in 2004, for 12K being a year old with only 23K on it, seemed like a good deal. Still paying it off today, have had the front rotor replaced, brakes, tires, battery, fuel pump and windshield replaced. The only problem I keep on having is a small water leak into the fuse box from somewhere around the windshield area, had it replaced, was good for a year, then it started leaking after a 3 day rain. By this point I am tired of dealing with the cost of trying to find the problem and just want a car that doesnt leak. I love my Alero, but i need something that is a little less water loving. Great design, like the seat and stereo set up, even though car is compact and comfy.

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  What a Piece of Junk! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Mike Olesky - April 12 - 2:00 am

  My Intrigue has a leak from oil its pan. The dealer replaced gasket, and it still leaks. They refused to redo the repair. The inlet manifold failed, there was a coolant leak. I guess that this is a common problem for GM. It also failed on my S10. Thanks GM for testing plastic inlets on the public. attle from rear. Dealer couldnt find Had to replace valve cover gaskets. ABS valve body failed at 50000 miles. Steering shaft problem. Dealer fixed. Rack & pinion leaked. dealer fixed Stereo failng. dealer said "common problem" Overall noisy ride, clunks and rattles. Sway bar broke, for no good reason, at 60000 miles. Didnt hit a pothole or jump a curb. This is my wifes car and I took good care of it. Car was never abused. Over all just a piece of junk.

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  New Owner in Maryland - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JessinMD - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Bought it 3 weeks ago,so far I like it except... Top of the list: Cupholders,who designed this so I can get a wack at them.Just me or do you have to take the car out of park to get a big cup in the holder? Shakes at 80mph. Oops then again Im not suppose to go that fast. The trunk, could have not spent a few more dollars on the parts.Those little fake me out screws just dont cut it.Most have fallin out, the others wont stay in.Think its a decent car,then again its my first car of course its decent.Crossing my fingers that I dont have horror stories like the other reviewers.

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  Great Looks/Perks bad Design - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Marc - March 20 - 5:53 pm

  Bought the vehicle off of my parents. Since new, the car had to be taken itn for repairs about 2-3 times a year. It has gone through about 4 wheel bearing, 2 sets of struts, new Drive/Pass seatbelts, 2 resistors for the blower, intake gasket issues twice and replaced the alternator after 90,000 miles. There were other issues but these are being pulled from the top of my head. The good looks on the out and inside are very nice, the drive and handling are excellent and the stock sound system is better than anyone would expect. One should expect problems with this car, but as consumer reports is showing this is expected from most GM vehicles. I would not recommend this car.

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  Cheap and dependable - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By its paid for - March 6 - 9:33 am

  Yes, this car is about as much fun as watching molasses run uphill, in January. But it is bullet proof mechanically, and gets me from point A to B without fail. The V-6 never missed a beat, and after 168k miles, still refused to use a drop of oil. HVAC is one of the better features.

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  A fun car overall - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Jak75 - February 10 - 10:00 am

  This has been a fun car to drive, however, the reliability of the vehicle is questionable. In the two years that I have owned this vehicle, there has been approximately $4000.00 in repairs that have been necessary on internal components.

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  !@#$%^&* - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By D. Olander - October 29 - 2:00 am

  This has been a TOTAL LEMON since day one. DONT BUY ONE. Thank God I bought the extended warranty. That has paid over $7000 in work in 2 years. Now I am buying a camry, cause I want a reliable car.

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  GM strikes again!! - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By ABindy - October 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a comfortable and stylish car. Has poor fit and finish...many rattles,water leaks into floorboard,brakes warped,front end vibration,exterior trim loose,major electrical problems that have still not been fixed despite a total of 25 days in the shop on 4 occasions,steering wheel pops when turned,new alternator,and on it goes. Since they cant fix the major electrical problems, and for all the other trouble I have had, GM sent me a "good will certificate" good for $1500 dollars off my next purchase.BIG DEAL. Stay from these cars, unless you have an extended warranty, and lots of time to camp out at the dealer for repairs.

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  dont do it - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ready to get rid of - October 5 - 10:00 am

  At 9000 miles, brakes went out on me three times. Had to replace brakes a rotors. At 23000 had to replace fuel pump, at 31000 replaced power steering pump. Doors stay messed up, have had three of the four doors fixed at different times. Fuel gauge is off, have to find a station at little over quarter tank. Drivers window wont roll down, already fixed passengers window in back also.Its gonna cost over three hundred dollars to fix the window. Pass side door stays stuck now. Door locks possessed, they click locked unlocked on their own continuiously, have to take out the fuse to get them to stop. Lots of road noise also.

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  Gone for a reason - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By buyamerican - September 17 - 5:53 pm

  By far the best looking car i have ever owned just seems to have everything supporting the car break, brakes, struts, head gasket, and the list goes on. Very comfy, plenty of power, runs well broken.