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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  Do youself a favor - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ;oaiuwsdhfoiau;shdf - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for two years. Ive had the alternator replaced twice. $200 Dealership picked up the second one for me for free. The drivers side power window had to have the entire window system replaced when it broke. $100 The brakes wear down faster than any other car Ive had. The tape player stopped working. Ive lost pickup and power as soon as I got over 50k miles. The ignition casings malfunction and locked up, so the key wouldnt turn, thats $650 from the dealership. I bought it used, no warranty. I bought this car two years ago for $1500 below the blue book, and its depreciated 50% in two years.

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  This thing just wont quit - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Nick - July 10 - 8:41 pm

  Bought my red 2 door alero for dirt cheap and it had next to nothing for the miles (114,000) for the GM 3.4 thats nothing!! The ride of the vehicle could be better but the handling is fantastic! Acceleration is really good probably because I have the 3.4, sorry for you 4 cyl out there lol. The safety of this car is amazing for such a little car, took a lifted Dodge Ram head on I really thought this car was going to the junkyard but nope I slapped a new hood bumper and fender on and it drove like new! This car does go through brakes pads and rotors pretty often ( replaced 3 times already mileage is only at 145,000) and when they were replaced it still squeaked when drove (annoyed the hell outta me but hey the car still stopped) also the car goes through tires quickly too ( also my 3rd set 30,000 miles) you really need to keep up with the maintenance on this vehicle and she should last you a very long time! My advise to you if youre looking to purchase one is make sure its been maintained pretty well or it will be a nightmare

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  Absolute Junk - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By X Bravada Owner - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I have owned over 40 vehicles, including 3 Bravadas. This is absolutely the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I bought it used with 8K miles on it and drove it for a year. I had nothing but trouble with it from day one, when the fiberglass fan disintegrated and took out the radiator. Little did I realize that this was the just the start of a long and meaningful relationship with my GM service department. Fortunately my dealer thought we were seeing a little too much of each other and worked with me to make me a fair deal on a Buick Rendezvous (great vehicle). I can see why GM dumped the line.

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  Good Solid Vehicle - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By My Review - July 8 - 12:20 am

  I bought my 00 Alero brand new. I was going to purchase a Grand Am, but once I drove the Alero, I knew it was the right choice. I have the GLS V6 2- door. I dont know if this is different than some of the bad reviews Ive read on this site or not, but my Alero has been great. I have 140K miles on it, and my mechanic says that it is still running strong. I feel it is a solid car.

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  Lemon of all time - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By robert sachs - July 7 - 7:00 pm

  I have owned quite a few vehicles over the years. I used to be a hard line GM man. But due to this lemon, I am now considering something other than GM. The Bravada has cost me more in repairs than all the vehicles combined I have owned, in excess of $4000. I have fixed or repaired almost every thing you can imagine. You just finish having something fixed and something else breaks down. It is justice that the Big Three go down. As much as I hate to say it, if you build junk eventially the consumer will have his day. Goodbye GM

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  5+ years with a 98 Intrigue - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By dekindy - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Car had drive shaft clunking noise, was replaced but would still intermittently clunk for no reason and occasionally would get a dramatic pull when backing down the driveway. Engine gaskets leaked. 44k, 56k, and 70k. GM paid half the cost for first two repairs. Car also had electrical short and all the dash lights would flash and gauges would jump occasionally.

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  Olds - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mikend33 - June 30 - 6:43 am

  My wife has driven this car almost 100 miles a day for a year with no problems. Still runs just like the day we bought it. We have since moved closer to her work. We would buy another Oldsmobile if they were still making them.

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  Good Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By justytt - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car for the money. It gets great gas milege, i get around 345 mpg highway. ive had no probelms with it execpt i did have to get new front brakes at about 40,000 miles and they still grind. the cars best features is the stereo and it also handles very well. the back tail lights are a little bit to big and it could use a little more horse power. other than that i would recommend this car to anyone who wants a good inexpensive car.

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  run away from this suv - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Cindy - June 28 - 8:36 am

  Bought this suv in 2004 with very little mileage I have had nothing but problems with it.. The idle arms have been replaced more than once very hard on the wheel barrings. I keep good maintenance but this was a lemon. I had to replace the door hinges and it cost me $1200 alone for that. The transmission going now... Have a short in the dash inside lights on dash when they want. My gas gauge also works when it wants to, the 4 wheel is going out of it. It would be easier to list what does work and what doesnt work or has needed replaced. My mechanic told me to get rid of it 2 years ago I had so much into it I thought for sure it would be ok I should of listened to him this suv is bad...

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  buyer beward - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By nomorevans - June 23 - 7:00 pm

  I have owned this van for almost 4 years. During that time the power sliding door stopped working, the drivers side power window does not work properly. The passenger side seat belt has been replaced twice because it keeps shredding. We no longer have interior lights because of an electrical problem, which the dealership says is not their problem.