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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  Average - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Willie - April 1 - 10:20 pm

  The Alero is fun to drive, but it gets horrible gas millage, it is horrible in the snow, and its speakers rattle with every hint of base in a song.

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  Love this car - 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By brminder - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought it with 112000 miles on it, doesnt burn any oil, gets about 30 on the highway, 22-25 in town, lots of power, quiet, smooth ride. Its just a great car.

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  Good car but has had some issues - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By baitshop - March 21 - 3:37 am

  I bought this car at 30,000 miles and have put 100,000 more on myself. There were some issues with the steering about two years after I bought it, Olds. recalled the Alero for steering issues but not the Aurora however they have the same steering set up. The steering wheel mounted controls do not light up as they should. In the last two months I have started leaking oil and now I am looking to get rid of it all together. On the plus side, it has really good pick up, lots of extras, lots of power and it does well in all weather. Very safe too. It has been a good car for 140,000 miles but it is going to take some serious cash in the next year to keep it running.

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  50K + Buyer - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By mwoomer - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought car with 52,000 miles. Only problem was an oil filter line(cost ~$70). This is a poor GM design and they have since changed it. Runs great and is an absolute beast in the snow. I embarressed my roomate who owns a Jeep Cherokee during our "snow runs." Gas efficiency could be a little better. Nice amount of room, much more than the Cherokee. Looks great and feels good to drive.

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  2001 Alero GLS 4 door - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By 3and14 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased an Alero GLS in Feb 2001 and have not regretted it in the nearly 3 years since. The handling and braking with the performance suspension is excellent, although the steering is a little quick at highway speeds. The car has been very reliable with the exception of brake pads and rotors that wore out prematurely (22K), a common Olds problem. For the money, this seemed to be the best choice at the time and nothing has made me question that decision. Too bad Olds is going away as whats left in GMs lineup for the foreseeable future doesnt do it for me.

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  96 Olds LSS - 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By e sample - February 10 - 10:00 am

  Great car, comfort,performance, economy, style

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  Nice Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Dan - January 21 - 10:56 pm

  This vehicle is a very nice vehicle. It is great for long commutes because the gas mileage is so great. It is perfect for college students because of the gas mileage and strength.

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  Not Bad... - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tburts - January 18 - 4:56 am

  I purchased my Alero in 08. Checking the head gaskets prior to purchase is essential since they go bad on the 3.4 V6. Had some minor issues after purchase such a water leak on passenger side console. A cheap foam patch from the dealership corrects this problem. There is also the occasional problems with wheel bearings. Also, the rear defrost system failed due a failure of a control module in the rear of the car. Apart from some rust issues, car is pretty reliable for the most part.

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  Great Van, but Interior Not Dependable - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Todd - January 9 - 8:26 pm

  I bought this van with 12 miles on it and have put over 126,000 on it. There has NEVER been a mechanical failure, but it has had several problems with interior things. The power door had to be repaired three times, power windows twice, power door locks three times. Its gas mileage is outstanding, averaging 25 mpg. This van provides great comfort. Overall I am very pleased with it.

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  Overall--I really like the 4 door GLS - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By richinatlanta - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I did a lot of travel in 2000 and ended up renting the Alero several times. I really liked the layout of the interior and when I got a GLS version, the 6 cylinder had plenty of power. I was able to find exactly the model I wanted at a local dealer when GM was offering incentives, so I got a fully loaded 2001 silver model. The problems have been minimal in my opinion, and the build quality is ok for an American car, much better than I remember after owning several foreign models. Make sure to get the handling package option. I would recommend the car based on my experiences.