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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  Larrys Oldsmobile - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By LARRY FERNSTROM - May 15 - 4:25 pm

  This is a great older car.

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  GREAT car, but bad in a fender-bender - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Ian G. - May 12 - 5:56 pm

  This is an excellent car. Ive owned it for less than 4 months and have put 3,000 miles on top of the original 45,000. Its my first car and I can already tell that it was a good choice. The car has enough power and acceleration to keep me entertained without getting me into trouble. In the twisties this car is a blast. It seems to have the perfect balance of handling and ride quality. The car performs on long trips, although the seats can get a little uncomfortable after hours on the road. The brakes are strong and responsive but the stock tires arent great. The tread life is too short. I already need new tires and they arent as thick as I would like. Other than that, the car is great!

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  hate to see it go - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By olds lover - May 9 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd aurora. I owned a 1997 first. Have bought 4 new cadillacs since 1986 and for the money this car puts them all to shame. I enjoy driving this car on long trips.

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  Great car! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Mich72 - May 4 - 4:36 am

  I have owned my Alero since 1999. I have NEVER had any major problems with my car. I have taken it in regularly for the maintenance and oil changes. My warranty just expired last year and the only things that I have had to replace is the motor for the power window. I would highly reccomend this car to anyone. Too bad they do not make them anymore!

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  good to have - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By freebird - May 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle in 2008 from one previous owner it was in good condition with a few minor problems...slow oil leak..but other than that the car is great. I have not had any other problems..bet deal i have ever gotten.

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  Not your grandmas Oldsmobile - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By VLN - May 2 - 2:00 am

  We just picked it up used with 36,000 miles on it. All the creature comforts of a Caddy or Lincoln but doesnt look like a "grandma" car. Powerful, smooth riding and handles like a sports car. Oldsmobile screwed up when they changed the body style in 2001.

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  2003 Oldsmobile Bravada - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Cars4me89 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this and I absolutely love her. She is luxurious, spacious, and powerful. She can also tow more than most other SUVs in her class. Its a shame that Oldsmobile has to leave the market when they have such great cars.

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  Beautiful Borealis - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By jdavid - April 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the highest value luxury car on the road. It is a thrill to drive for short utility trips, fun cruises, & road hauls. Comfort is terrific, especially for such a sporty handling machine. It tracks like a smart bomb -- even white out, ice blizzards, at night. Ive never driven such a roadworthy machine. Its wonderful -- & I generally cannot tolerate GM vehicles! (P.S. Avoid the 3.5 model; its underpowered; only buy the 4.0)

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  olds - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By somename - April 26 - 2:00 am

  good car. worth the money

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  Olds Bravada 2003 - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Edward Bertsch - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Pull a pop up camper and it handles it very well. Camper weighs 2900 pounds. Gas mileage on my vehicle is very good for this weight vehicle. I get 23-25 on the highway. I get 20.5 towing the camper.