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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  intrigue1998 - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By olds49 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Everything held together pretty well until 60,000 miles then oil leaks started, strut supports went out, alternator was replaced, idler pulley came apart, now I hear theres a forthcoming recall for the steering box. Also along the way a couple of electric window motors failed. Ive driven Japanese autos to well over 100,000 miles without any of this foolishness happening. Had considered an Impala until stuff started breaking, but since its a GM drivetrain clone of this car I might just pass and check out Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys, and Mazda 6s.

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  Low Mileage Driver - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Gordon Martyn - January 6 - 12:36 pm

  My 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora has low mileage. It is driven mostly in the city and suburbs on fairly heavily traveled roads. It is the only car I have ever had that didnt require any repairs or recalls. It performs beautifully, has good pickup and gets fairly good mileage. The ride isnt the most comfortable but it is adequate. I am very satisfied with this car.

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  Excelent College Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By pizzaman09 - December 31 - 6:09 pm

  My 1999 Oldsmobile 88 was my grandparents car and was given to my twin brother and I as our first car with only 42k miles on it! We have been driving it for about 5 years now and it has 69k miles on it. They 88 has been outstandingly reliable, we have under $1200 of maintenance into it in 5 years. We had the common intake leak and the power antenna is stuck up but else it is perfect. I use to hate how it looked but it has grown on me. It is factory Crimson Red and I have white strip tires on it, it looks sharp and stands out among todays cars. The ride and handling is like a marshmallow, but that is often a good thing. It is plenty quick too! I also enjoy the huge trunk!

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  8 years with a used Alero. - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mlrobards - December 26 - 5:54 am

  I purchased this car when it was 5 years old, that was 8 years ago. I have had only one major issue with it. The drivers side window regulator has gone out and cost too much to replace. Never had issue one with the motor, struts, electronics (other than the regulator) If you treat this car right it will not let you down. Keep up with all regular maintenance and it will last years. Handles really well and an easy ride for long trips. Before you buy any new car make sure it was taken good care of. If it wasnt, walk away.

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  First time SUV buyer - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By ll farrell - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Olds has always had upper level vehicles and discontuing the line is undoubtly a mistake. The Buick limited line of vehicles, would have been the logical choice. Anyway, this is a well built luxury type of SUV. All the bells and whistles, plus pure quiet. Tight, solid and totally quiet. Plenty of power and easy to work on. Where was a vehicle like this when our family was growing up?

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  100,000 miles and still going - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By john - December 17 - 8:56 pm

  Nice van. Had intake gaskets replaced at 50,000. Driver seat replaced because recliner handle broke and seat tore. This should never have happened, but it did.

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  Glad 2 B Rid of It - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By GearHead101 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a GX with just over 35,000 miles. Ive had it for a year and 33,000 miles. The transmission has had to be replaced...it uses a quart of oil every 1500 miles that GM says is not excessive...and its losing break fluid. The car rides, drives, and accerlates wonderfully...it would be a great car if it were more reliable. Ive traded it in on a 2000 Accord LX-V6 even though I had -$5000 equity. And GM wonders why they continue to lose market share?

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  1998 Olds LS - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By Stephen D. Bright Sr - November 24 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is fun to drive handles well and is very dependable. It has a very responsive and powerful 205hp V/6 engine. Great fuel economy as much as 30 mpg on the highway and approximately 25 mpg aroung town. Negatives include excessive wind noise at high speed 70 mph or greater from both front doors. There are also several squeaks in the interior trim especially around the dash.

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  2001 Olds Intrigue GLS.. Weathered with age - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By magdalenaw - November 15 - 9:01 am

  With all the features I got for a decent price from the previous owner, I would say that value-wise, this car is great, but its definitely starting to lose its steam. Its only got 144K miles on it, but it acts like its got many more, even though its got the original hardy engine that performs well. Maybe its just because its over ten years old and I never saw it in its heydey, or maybe I picked the wrong one, but I just cant seem to fall in love with this car. It is decent for the most part.

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  Alero 2002 - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By spanish56 - November 7 - 10:33 am

  vehicle is a reliable, economical commuter car and made in the USA