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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  I like my car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ssobom - July 15 - 4:53 am

  Just passed 100,000 miles on my Alero. It has been a pretty reliable car over the past eight years. I love the exterior styling as well as the cockpit layout. The car has always been fun to drive. I have had to replace a few items over the past few years.(evaporator, brakes, fuel pump, fan control knob, rear defrost button) My next car will have better suspension, but I will miss this Alero.

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  A Great Car. - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By MRRN - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Very reliable, beautiful car. Fun to drive and sporty for a midsize sedan. Very strong engine, especially at higher speeds. smooth ride and transmission. Lots of complements from passengers.

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  Oldsmobile Intrigue - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Paul Biniak - July 8 - 10:23 am

  Overall a well performing car with good gas mileage. Has the power to pass and go yet still a comfortable ride. Best to get good tires for traction in water and snow. Air conditioning not as strong as it should be. Has been a reliable car since I bought it brand new.

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  solid, all around car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By intriguingly - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used a couple months ago with 40,000 miles on it and it drives fairly close to a new car. I was surprised with its power, coming from an oldsmobile and I was happy to pick up the trusted 3.8L that is in many other GM cars (though I wish it had 215 hp like the 3.5L, oh well). The factory speakers were better than my aftermarket ones from my previous car! This is a safe, comfortable, and well-built ride. Thanks GM!

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  2001 3.5 Not So Lucky - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By oke doke - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Acquired the 2001 3.5 in Feb 2003 w/ 19K mi. The car now has 30K mi. on it. Since purchase, replaced the steering column, the pwr steering pump, the ignition switch (the car would literally just stop running on the highway while doing 70 mph), and as of 09/29/03, the transmission is gone!. Also - the driver door squeak were ones left leg rests against the speaker (in case you think the noise is coming from your seat). Needless to say, kind of a bum experience. I owned a 98 Aurora w/ 100K on it and traded it in on this - the 98 never had an issue - guess I made a bad call...

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  Pretty Good for the money - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By BLee - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car in 1999 with about 18,000 miles on it. The V6 engine has plenty of power to move the car. I have had the same problems listed by others; two intake gaskets, alternator, brakes galore. Then at 178,000 miles the camshaft broke, destroying the engine. I bought a junk yard engine and tranny with 26,000 miles on them and had the car back on the road for $1500. Its now pushing 190,000 miles and I plan to drive it until it can no longer be repaired. Im 67" tall and theres plenty of legroom for me in the drivers seat. Ive been very pleased with the car. Ive definitely gotten my moneys worth out of it.

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  Brakes are the only real problem - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By linenoise - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought new in 1999 (its a 2000 Coupe with 2.4l) Other than the usual problems with Aleros (Brake Rotor/Hazard switch) this has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. I have 53K on it and the brake rotors are my only service items (twice but due for a 3rd), if considering drive the 2.4l and the 3.4 and youll find that the 2.l4 seems smoother and quite fun.

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  Take care of stuff and it will last - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By I love GM! - June 26 - 2:00 am

  I am not sure why people are writing bad reviews on this vehicle. I bought my 2000 Bravada in 06 with 120,000 miles on it. the truck was very well taken care of and in good shape. The only thing I have had to do to it was replace the fuel pump. I am currently at almost 140,000 miles and still running strong with no problems. I am a firm believer that if you take care of something it will last. Maybe they bought one that was not properly maintained or really dont know how to take care of a vehicle. There is more to it than just changing the oil. So in closing, I have loved my Bravada. Kind of a poor mans Escalade.

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  Poor quality - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By joe joe - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Very disappointed in the quality. Nothing like buying a car and watching depreciation fall through the floor after 2 years, (paid 11k, trade in offer of 2.5k, 50k total milage) OUCH!. All sorts of irratating problems like electrical, workmanship. No major problems for the first 50k but didnt wait around for that to happen. Dumped for a loss, didnt trust it over the long haul. Very disappointed with GM on this and went with a Honda.

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  Bravada After a Car Wreck - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By cameronlerback235 - June 11 - 3:33 pm

  I love my Bravada. It is a nice vehicle, but it has its drawbacks because when I got in my car accident it started having problems and it wouldnt start sometimes. I had to replace my computer in the vehicle and now it runs fine. I am getting ready to replace my shocks and tires, that way it will ride a lot nicer but it is real quiet and I can barely hear the engine when driving or accelerating. It has a nice 4.3L V6 engine and it has enough torque but I wouldnt mind more and maybe a better sound system.