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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  Solid - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By whatsup - June 24 - 1:13 am

  Pleasantly surprised by the Silhouette. Nothing wrong just like our 99. Luxurious unlike the Odyssey. Many features unavailable on the Honda.

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  Good value for money - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ian - June 21 - 9:10 am

  Our Alero V6 is excellent value. We paid $10,700 when it was 15 months old and had 22,000 miles. It has lots of features, such as traction, ABS, CD player and I like the way the lights come on automatically too. My biggest gripes are the parking brake which has no adjustment for the cable,and which I personally feel should be used to protect the auto-box parking pawl, and the over-gearing, a typical GM trait. For a 3.4, it loses power dramtically at the slightest onset of a gradient. Lower gearing would make the performance more reachable and save me having to change down to maintain my momentum. However, you get what you pay for and the Alero is excellent value and has been pretty reliable.

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  My last GM car - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By 3 Time Olds Owner - June 21 - 1:46 am

  I have owned 5 GM products but this is my last one. The car has needed $1500 in transmission work, $300 to fix a steering shaft, has suffered a leaking trunk and leaking sun roof, has various electrical gremlins, and has been an overall disappointment. Of the last 6 oil changes, only one visit was just for an oil change, in fact Ive spent over $4000 in repairs in two years. Its no wonder why GM went bankrupt after owning this car.

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  Very good, but not quite a 10 - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Den - June 14 - 3:56 pm

  Lots of Body roll, and weak gripping tires even at moderate speeds in turns. (Yes I know its a minivan, but even so, its sub-standard. The drivers seat needs to go. A "jackhammer" noise from the engine compartment sounds after warmup on occasion with the heating defroster (front) turned on. Did this like clockwork from new to time of recent service. Took it to dealer (they insist they did nothing to "fix" the problem) problem went away after they had it in the shop for 6 hours. I wonder if they get Factory points to avoid claims that can lead to lemon law claims? Hmmm. Center Console not being standard is a real "RIP-OFF". Would I buy this vehicle again? No. Id buy the Chrysler.

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  Good with 125,000 miles - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Ed - May 25 - 9:36 pm

  I bought my Oldsmobile Intrigue with 13,000 miles on it. It has over 125,000 on it now. I have had two problems with it. At 75,000 miles it needed a new A/C compressor and at 110,000 miles it needed a new water pump. It is almost all city miles. I have been very happy with it. Before this I owned a Dodge. It was in the shop all the time. This car goes in once a year for inspection and thats it.

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  Best Car! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BB - May 21 - 11:56 pm

  My 2000 Intrigue has 250K miles on it and the only issue Ive had is a hairline crack in the coolant tank and an axle that had to be replaced. As a single working mother of 4 kids this car has been a lifesaver. There is nothing worse than having an unreliable car. I am currently looking for the same year model car as a back up for this car. Im not sure how much longer it can go but it just keeps on going.

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  Great car for the money! - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By lynziee - May 4 - 2:00 am

  210,000 miles and still going. This car just wont die. Ive put over 150,000 miles on this car myself and have never replaced more than the tires and oil filter. Granted, the turn signals and gas gage are no longer working. Almost every interior dash light is on, and the steering seems to be going out....the engine just keeps on running! I wrote this car off about 50,000 miles ago but nope, shes still kicking. Also, still gets aroun 28-30 miles to the gallon. Have to keep track by hand no so I dont run out out gas but hey, she doesnt owe me anything at this point.

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  Pretty good, not great - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By First Owner - April 25 - 4:43 am

  I must be lucky, I havent had the problems others have had listed here. Yes the rotors were fixed both at 7,500 miles and again at 12,000, but after much complaining, the Olds finally got it right. Havent touched them since. Drives pretty good, I get 27 mpg all around, not much highway driving. Rattles are starting to develop and the front wheel drive makes a growling sound, but Ive heard worse from other GM products. No major defects, just a faulty coolant sensor thats not worth replacing.

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  All About Alero - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alero Owner - April 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. The only thing that has happened to it is the leather wrap around the hand brake needs to be re-stitched. There have been no mechanical problems at all. Not much leg room in the back, especially with for kids in car seats. They will probably get their legs broken if we get in an accident. Other complaint is the small gas tank. Only holds fourteen gallons. Most I can go without having to re-fill is a little over 300 miles per tank. Around town, only about 270 miles per tank. Great car if you dont have kids.

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  174,000 miles and still going - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By danroberts1964 - April 13 - 5:20 am

  I bought my car used 2 years ago and it now has 174,000 miles on it and its still going strong. Only problems I have had was the fuel pump and the alternator went out. Oh and the pass key thing had problems but there is a easy fix for that if you Google it and it consists of a inexpensive diode being soldered into the wiring. Would I recommend this car even with the high miles mine has.... You bet I would.