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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  Aurora - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By rating - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Great car and value, especially compared to pricey foreign alternatives

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  my 88 - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By daddy weber - April 5 - 11:40 am

  i got a 88 about a year ago for 1,799and it runs like a champ only put like 600 into it since i got it and its the best car ive ever owned reliability wise.

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  To add to the rest of positive reviews! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Chris Howe - March 18 - 9:20 am

  I am more than satisfied with my recent purchase of my Intrigue. I bought it used at a dealership. I love it, it has had no mechanical problems so far and I wish that they still made them. I love the power of the 3.5L Twin Cam V6. Its so great. For my first car that Ive bought on my own, I am more than happy. I would recommend this car to anyone. Well, anyone interested in buying a quality car that can whoop an imports butt when it needs to, while remaining extremely practical and gets great gas mileage. I love this car! I think that you should go buy one or any other Oldsmobile. Happy Driving!

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  nimble little two door - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By vespagl - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This has been a fun car to own...lots of pep and good handling for a modestly priced car. Styling is very attractive and more than a few folk have commented on how nice this little "European coupe" was. I love the fold down rear seats for when the trunk needs to hold large items. I am gonna miss Olds when they go.

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  GM finally does it right - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By pcrisp - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I am glad that GM has finally put toghether a worth while vehicle of this quality. Tons of power, silky smooth ride, and super clean and rich interior.

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  Owner Review - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By lhsgcs - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Car is fun to drive, seems solid and well put together. No problems, loaded with features not found in competition.

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  Love our Silhoutte - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By GMBonnett - March 8 - 2:00 am

  We have really like our Silhoutte. We have had 2 months now and are very happy with the many options. Better gas mileage than I imagined

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  Love this car! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By gemini14608 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This was the best possible car for this price range. I feel like Im driving a Cadillac but paying for a Kia.

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  18 months of surprises - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Vanone - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used at an attractive price this ex rental has proved fast and economical. Fixes needed under warranty and not previosly attended to included a new trasmission, hood stain, new side mirrors, right AC vent control and airbag squeak. Running repairs include a new battery and front wheel bearing. This car out performs the S type Jag on the slolom course. Quieter than a Vanden Plas Jag I rented last week. Comfortable and very economical on long mountain trips. It never lacks power, wonderful 3.5 L engine. Excellent dealer service, I have recent experience with Mercedes, Jaguar, Honda Toyota and Mazda all of whom are also very good

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  Good mid-size car - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Olds4ever - February 21 - 9:56 am

  After my Cutlass rolled 100K miles, I had to invest almost $2000 in repairs underneath the hood. Serpentine belt, alternator, water pump, rotors (every 20K miles), shocks, battery (ok, cant complain on that one, it was original) and brakes. My gas gauge went about 3 years ago, so I have to monitor my trip odometer. This past winter, I slid on black ice and "totaled" my car. I slammed into a guard rail pretty hard and I was able to walk away from that accident. This is a sturdy car and I love it. Even though the front fender is damaged, we replaced the steering knuckle and the car is drivable. Now the ABS light comes on every time I start the car. I will keep it until it dies.