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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  Over 220,000 and still running strong - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Curt - November 2 - 3:06 pm

  I brought this car in 04 used with only 30,000 miles. Now its 2010 with 220,458 and still running. Just minor repairs (oil change, minor tune-up, brakes & tires). Im still shocked over how reliable this car is.

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  Underrated car/excellent used bargain... - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By hammen2 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Used-car sleeper. Very distinctive (few on the road; bargain on the used market due to death of Olds). Similar to $50k Caddy STS; mine stickered over $40k, but I got it used w/27k miles for $17k). Styling? love it or hate it (I LOVE it). Base is loaded, few options. Mechanically, hit-or-miss (GM build quality issues). Mine, other than water pump, has been mechanically solid (was for the 1st owner - check maintenance history!). Lots of technology - a third-party extended warranty is recommended.

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  fun to drive, when its not in the shop - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By buzzard4 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I have a 99 GLS with the 3.5L V6. It handles well, and jumps from 55 to 85 very (too) easily. My biggest complaint is quality of the components. Ive had nagging minor problems (door trim, uneven fit in interior), more serious mechanical defects (warping brake rotors, crank shaft sensor), and major mechanical breakdowns (power steering went out, rack replaced 3 times). Without those issues, Id love the car.

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  The best unknown midsize sedan - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Oldsman01 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  After 8 months and 12,000 miles of ownership, I would still have a difficult time finding a comparable replacement for the Intrigue. Great looks, responsive handling, well equipped, and a 5 yeay/60K warranty; what else would you want in a midsize sedan?

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  Fun to drive. - 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By Dave - October 15 - 6:36 am

  The Olds Eighty-eight is a great highway car! It is very stable at high speeds, has good acceleration, is comfortable, and has acceptable gas mileage considering the horsepower. Like all sporty cars, this is not the most maintenance-free Ive owned. That is not to say it left me stranded on the side of the road, it just needed attention periodically; lots of little things quit working properly. Overall a good second car, and a great family vacation car.

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  For the money it is worth it! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jreynard - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in a haste. The car has been worth every cent that I paid. The features are nice for the price. The ride is quiet and the car is mechanically sound. The steering is a little disconnected but you still have a decent sense of the road. I enjoy the layout of the controls. They seem to have put a little extra thought into the lay out in the cabin. I enjoy my car and it has been good to me.

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  Up In The Air - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mlzebe - September 20 - 11:43 am

  I bought my Alero last year with 72,000 miles on it. I was loving it I thought it was a all around good car. Well it was until I started having this problem with the security system. Sometimes when I turn the car off, and go to start it again nothing happens except for the dash light coming on. I priced to fix and was told about $300 to 400 to fix. Besides that and the air drafts its a nice car.

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  Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By gudnason100 - September 9 - 4:34 am

  I bought my Intrigue in 2003 off lease with 60000Km (36000 mi) it now has 306,000 km and still running great. Everything still works power windows, sun roof, heated seats, power seat and leather seats still good. Rebuilt transmission last year which only cost me $2200, fuel sensor problem is caused by additive in certain gas. Use Shell and you will never have an issue. Replaced flywheel about 5 years ago with a used one. Lots of available used parts from wrecking yards which keep the cost of repair down because GM does not product a lot of parts for the Olds anymore. Northstar engine is still very strong, no rust although I do undercoat it annually.

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  No Luck - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By bh_okedoke - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 98 Aurora for the 01 model. In the last 10 months, the following replacements (all under warranty) - Steering column, power steering pump, ignition switch, ABS control module, transmission overhaul, and as of this weekend, the alternator. Mind you, this car has under 31K miles... I think I got the car built on Monday morning!

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  Not too many problems... - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mynameisalreadyinuse - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I havent really had too many problems. In fact, the only ones Ive had were minor. I did have one that upset me, though. Both of my fog lights shattered and I needed to buy new ones. Other than that, my car still looks new and runs great (for having 50k miles on it)!