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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  Backaches galore - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By desiresnewcar - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Alero for a little over 2 and a half years and its time to get rid of it! Unfortunately, Im going to loose a lot of money because resale is HORRIBLE, on these cars!

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  THE BEST CAR OUT THERE - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By MIA - June 22 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY FIRST CAR.....MY OWN CAR...AND I LOVE IT..I HAVE DRIVE OTHER CARS FOR ALONG TIME BUT IN THE YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD MY CAR I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT AND IT IS ONE OF THE ONLY CARS THAT I COULD AFFORD THAT I REALLY LOVED

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  Computer False Problems - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By mike - June 19 - 8:46 am

  The car has gone through brakes very quickly two sets and only 53K miles. The two big issues were: 1. The coolant problem gm would not own up too and cost me Major head work $2k 2. Now I am getting false engine warning lights, replace O2 sensor and gas cap, still getting intermittent codes, other warning lights are the charging system which is working at 13.5-14 volts, I am getting a security system light, the power Windows are working intermittently. Anyone know what the heck is going on, I am thinking the computer is on its way out.

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  Very Nice SUV!!!! - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Craige - June 18 - 8:43 am

  This has been a great vehicle, very dependable only expenses has been tires,and tune ups little else has gone wrong. Very comfortable to drive. SmartTrack is great for winter driving. Sound system still sounds great!! Paint and Interior still looks like new.

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  Do not buy this car - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By dsh1127 - June 16 - 11:40 pm

  I bought this car new in April 2003. It was a nice car until about 50,000 miles. At that point, my opinion on this car changed greatly! It started having one problem after another, and had so many squeaks, rattles and air leakage that you would think it was a 20 year old car. This car was in the shop so often that everyone knew me on a first name basis! The final problem was a major computer meltdown at 68,000 miles. I left it at the shop (unrepaired), got what I could for trade, and bought a used Nissan Maxima! Do not waste your money and time on an Alero!

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  1999 Olds Aurora - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By John - June 16 - 11:00 pm

  I bought this car when it was 4 years old with 9,000 miles. I have since driven it up to 75,000 with only one major problem ($900), and Im pretty sure it would have been a cheaper fix had I not been in a strange town. Overall the car has been superb. I have friends who have the newer style, but honestly they just dont compare. If I can ever find another deal (low mileage, old body style) again, Ill do it! The powerful V8, smooth handling, and sleek look make it a very enjoyable ride. As typical with American cars resale is horrible, which is why I would never buy one new (I paid $12,500...sticker was $37,000). I dont receommend many American cars, but this one is a winner!

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  131,000 miles and replacing shocks - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By ED DINWIDDIE - June 13 - 6:50 pm

  Purchased it with 750 miles from dealers son. Have been very pleased. Lost one of driver side seat heaters and then two months later lost the other one. Very expensive. Hate the spare and where it is located, very hard to work with on a hot intrastate. Headlights are better than our 2000 but still need help.

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  BANG FOR YOR BUCK - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By CHUCK - June 8 - 10:00 am

  A++++++++ QUALITY OFF ROAD A DREAM. i HAVE 70 PLUS AND NOT A SINGLE PROBLEM

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  Good Design but Poor Worksmanship - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By rpharasty - June 8 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has an attractive design and smooth running engine. Reliability however has been poor. Steering and Alignment problems have never been properly fixed by dealership. It sqeaks and rattles over uneven pavement and does not feel very solid. A/C compressor has just failed. Poor trunk design causes water to pour into trunk when opened during or after rain. Oil filter cartridge very difficult to change yourself and hard to find. Depreciation is very STEEP!

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  Really cant complain - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By snogame - June 6 - 7:30 pm

  This is my 2nd Alero (1st - 99, had lots of under warranty work) but took my chances and got another 1 and I love it. Have been vigilant on regular maint, considering mileage (294,000 km) repairs have been expected (apprx $4k in 2 yrs), typical for this car (or any car with this mileage for that matter), brakes, fuel pump/filter, intake manifold gasket, head gasket, hub assembly, multifunction switch, theft-lock system sensor. I drive mostly highway miles, around 1000 km per week min. Love the drive, feel very safe and comfortable. Handling is excellent, low interior noise. A little disappointed with the low resale value. Overall a great reliable car I just wish they hadnt discontinued it.