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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  Alero: Good Buy, Good-bye - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By hawk27 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  This Olds ends its run in fine form. Very good build quality, excellent acceleration for a four cylinder, comfortable interior and good driving experience. Handles well in snow and ice with traction control and abs option. Good for stop and go with family or solo highway driving. Good gas mileage.$4000 rebate is attractive.

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  Great car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Tim L. - January 6 - 10:00 am

  This is, overall, one of the finest cars I have owned (and Ive driven many Hondas!). It is a bunch of fun to drive. When ice and snow put others in the ditch, the traction control, anti-lock brakes, and superb handling kept me on the road. I was going to give this car to my daughter three years from now when she is old enough to drive, but I think shell have to find something else. This ones a keeper.

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  I Love Oldsmobiles! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Jennifer Carnahan - December 25 - 2:16 pm

  Bought my 2000 Alero used in 2005 when it had about 86,000 miles on it. I have never had a problem with my car. It has been a great first vehicle for me. Still runs great with 130,000 miles on it.

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  Five Years and Still Going Strong! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Paul - December 13 - 11:30 pm

  I bought this car about 5 years ago with 82,000 miles on it and I am still in love with it. I have only had one problem which was the drivers window motor and track broke. Probably because I eat so much fast food and use it way more that average. It is very spacious and comfortable except on long road trips the seats become bricks. It now has 142,000 miles on it and I have had to replace some of the suspension because of normal wear and tear. The engine and transmission have been perfect despite claims at the dealership that the tranny has a bad reputation just to sell me a warranty which I refused. It picks up speed very quickly and has 215 HP whith 3.5L which is much better than the 3.8L!

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  Classic well maintained vehicle - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By peggy - December 2 - 12:16 pm

  One owner garage kept mint condition, normal maintenance, oil changes, etc. Black 2 dr coupe. Only 37,000 miles on it. Runs great 6 cyl Cruise automatic, fwd, inside trunk lock, opener. Leather seats.

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  1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS Sedan - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Steve - November 24 - 9:23 pm

  Ive had this car eight years now, and Id swear it still drives like it did when we bought it. Handling is sharp and precise, the 3.5 L engine is serious fun to drive. It still gets 28 mpg on the highway. I am still smile every time I get into it and I think that says a lot. Its just too bad GM killed this car & engine. Ive had one problem with it; the crank shaft position sensor went out around 60,000 miles, I replaced it for $125, everything else has been regular maintenance. What has made an impression on me, it has been in the body shop a couple times, the men that worked on it mentioned how well this car was built. I plan to drive it until it hits 200K.

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  An Excellent Value! - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Infrany - November 19 - 10:00 am

  The Aurora rides very quietly, is well appointed with all of the controls thoughtfully located within easy reach of the driver. Our V-6 engine is not as powerful as the larger V8 but is more than adequate for highway driving. We found the standard sound system to be the best we have ever experienced- perhaps better than a home stereo system! With Oldsmobile incentives and rebates this car was a steal compared to the Cadillac/Lexus/Lincolns in its sticker price class and market. With Caddy rumored to pick up the Aurora line when Oldsmobile folds, this car should more than hold its own in value, performance, and longevity. We love it!

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  2001 Alero - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Dawno - November 16 - 11:16 pm

  The 2001 Alero is a sporty looking car for a sedan. I love the power seats,radio,traction control,cruise and easy to use knobs for climate control.

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  2001 Aurora - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Joelin - November 15 - 10:00 am

  This is the best Olds Ive ever owned and Ive owned quite a few of them. Traded in a 98 Taurus for this car and am I glad I did. The gas mileage for a big car is excellent, much better than the Taurus, 29+.

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  I Love My Alero!!!! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By cldavis - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car about a month ago after trading in one of the worst cars I have ever owned. Needless to say I love this car....it is very reliable and it is fun to drive. It is also very sporty and it is fun to be seen in as well.