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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  Sorry It Is Discontinued - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Hoffmann - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Our 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouete is our fifth one. We have always loved it. We have taken previous models on cross county trips with elderly parents in their mid 80s. With the second row captains sets, not one of us ever suffered a backache. The long-trip mileage is actually very good for a vehicle this size, fully loaded with passengers,luggage and the air conditioning running -- over 27 mpg.

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  Its Been a Good Car! - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Guy - May 20 - 5:30 am

  After 10+ years of driving BMWs this car was a surprise. I didnt like driving it. The wife liked it, so we bought it. Six years later, I love it. It is rock solid, low maintenance, gets good gas mileage and is great to commute in.

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  Brilliant Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By JP - May 18 - 8:26 pm

  Ive owned the car since 2004 - I purchased it from CarMax with 24,000 miles on it and now have 60,000. Ive havent had single problem with the vehicle. Ive kept up with regular maintenance. Its been a remarkably safe, reliable, and strong vehicle. The exterior looks like new. I havent used it to tow anything, however, it has a strong engine that will move quickly at all speed ranges. Its great on snow and gravel roads. I havent taken it off road, but in 6 inch mud it crawls along fine. I wish Olds didnt fold - they are the highest quality GM make aside from Cadillac in my eyes.

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  Excellent!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By dlflyboy - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Bravada in Oct, 2002. Since, I have put 27,000 miles on it and the only problem Ive had is the inside of the drivers door was starting to pop out. Had it fixed. The only time Im in the service dept is when Im there for an oil change,tire rotation and scheduled tune ups. My Bravada is very quite. No loud engine noise with mine (not sure why some of the other reviewers have loud ones). Ive had suvs from German to Japanesse. Id rate this as one of the best suvs Ive owned.

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  It is a Great Vehicle - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By AMR - May 3 - 8:40 pm

  This vehicle has a very comfortable interior, an attractive exterior, and a powerful DOHC V6 engine. I picked it because of the refinement and build quality that was apparent in my vehicle while it was on the dealer lot. Have had no problems so far!

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  Great car - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By The Baron - May 2 - 6:03 am

  I just recently purchased this car, and, I love it. I have never owned a car this new before, but, I love the new car feel. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for an inexpensive alternative to higher priced and highly overrated Import cars.

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  A great surprise - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By pshaulk - April 26 - 3:53 am

  Im finding out what a great car I bought in my 2004 Oldsmobile Alero GL1! Its champagne, with "oak" interior. I love the power seats and comfort, plus the satilite radio. I enjoy having a classy little car without it costing more than my first home.

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  runs great even after 155,000 miles if you take care of it - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By superstar1213 - April 25 - 6:28 pm

  I have 175,XXX miles on my Alero and it is running great!! For those of you who are talking crap about this car is obviously not taking care of it very well. If you take care of a car and maintain it, it will last a long time. I know a man who has a 1989 gmc safari van with almost 500,000 miles on it and still drives it to work every day! Take car of your vehicles and they will run forever!

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  Great Van - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By brelia - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive loved it from the start. My kids love the LCD player and game hook-ups. Great for trips! Rides like a car, handles great and very roomy. No major problems at all. Would buy one again!

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  2001 Olds Intrique GLS - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By oldsdrvr - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has been flawless from day one. Excellent traction in snow. More space for less money than other midsize cars. Heat and A/C work great. Quiet, smooth ride. Great fuel economy considering size of car.