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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  Trouble Free - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By HARK - July 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Silhouette. I had a 2000 that only had some minor problems in its 30,000 miles.(cupholder, pull strap) I now have 6000 miles on my 2002, and there were no adjustments or problems with the vehicle. It stickered for just under 29,000 and after the $3,500 rebate, $1,500 owner loyalty, $1,000 rebate instead of the 5/60 warranty, $850 GM card rebate, and the $2,500 discount, I paid less than $19,500.

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  Fantastic Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By MBarthol - July 7 - 9:40 am

  I cant begin to tell you how great this car is. My father bought it new back in 2000 and gave it to me in 2007 with 172,000 miles on it when he bought a new car. Since then, Ive put 25,000 miles on it and enjoyed each and every one. Its a great car that has lasted to 197,000 miles so far, and our mechanic says it could go another 100,000 with the shape the engine is in. The engine has never had any work done to it either! Unfortunately, he only expects the transmission to last another 20,000, but I think its pretty great to get 220,000 miles out of a transmission.

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  The best mini van on the road - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By EILEEN - July 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had many Olds Silhouettes. They are the best mini vans around. I keep hoping that they will continue to be produced. GM should add the Silhouette to another line ie: Cadillac Mini Van. WHATEVER JUST KEEP MAKING IT!! They ride like a car not a truck like the other models.

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  I love this car! - 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By susan - July 1 - 5:53 am

  I also hate that GM did not cover my expensive gasket problem when it happened in 2005 with just under 90,000 miles on it. Now have 141,000 miles and it has a few minor things wrong with it that I wont bother to fix - but I do love driving it. Also had problems with splitting leather problems the last 5 years. Somehow that hasnt held me back and I wish I could find another like it!

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  1998 aurora - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By dale - June 30 - 12:00 am

  I love my car. I am 6 5" and I am a little cramped, but I found this car for $5,000. What a steal!

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  GL2 is a good car. - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By DanAlero FromAlegra - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Been back to dealer only 2 times in 30,00 miles: once to learn again how to flip down the back seat; once to have the driver window fixed, but it fixed itself (twice) before I went in. The brakes sound funny, but they still work OK. (Other reviewers mention brake problems; maybe Ill check em.) I didnt need the spoiler, but it looks cool. MPG is between 22 and 28; probably would get 32 at 55 mph.

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  99 Olds Aurora - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By ricknpam - June 20 - 10:00 am

  Our Aurora is a great car. The 4.0- liter V-8 took me by surprise, 250- horse power; WOW! It leaves my 1986 442 in the dust. The ride is very smooth. I recently replaced the brakes at 72000 miles and it was simple. No special torx bit required, just a 15mm socket and a C-clamp to compress the caliper. A half an hour brake job. The check engine light came on once under warranty, it was a transmission code. They replaced a seal and we were on our way. The mechanic said they never see problems with this transmission. The 50K warranty was great. We average 23 miles to the gallon, not bad for a big car with a V-8.

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  great car - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By frank jones - June 14 - 12:03 am

  This car has been a pleasure to drive and i highly recommend it. The engineering is great. The engine seized up at 101,000 miles on it so we brought to a guy and he put a surplus motor in it with 60,000 miles on it and now the car runs strong as an ox. The repair cost was 4,000 but the guy guarantees the motor for another 100k miles and we have no doubt it will last longer.

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  loved it! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By lovedmyalero - June 7 - 10:00 am

  I just traded in my alero gl 4dr for an suv. But I really miss it! The car was fun to drive. I put 30,000 miles on it with just some minor problems all covered under the warranty. It can do 0 to 60 in just seconds. Its fast, racey and great looking. I feel like Im driving a sports car. Too bad they are not made anymore. I had to trade it in because I needed a 4wd car. But otherwise, I loved it and I miss it.

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  one great car - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By YARD DOG - June 2 - 2:00 am

  THE COMFORT IS UNDER STATED THE BODY STYLE IS WONDERFUL ITS ECONOMIAL BUT POWERFUL IT TAKES YOU WERE YOU WANT TO GO WITH NO HASSLE,IT HANDLES SO WELL ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT YOU GET SUCH A GREAT CAR AT AND EFFORTABLE PRICE.