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:

• 

  E Bay Purchase - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By DTA - March 29 - 8:20 pm

  I bid on and won this car on E Bay. I specifically wanted an Aurora after owning a 3.5 L back in 2001 which, by the time I sold it in 2005 had 92,000 trouble free miles on it. I wish I could say the same for the SUV I replaced it with. I have put 17,000 on my 4.0 L since February and it is still going strong. There have been minor issues but all have been simple to take care of without the need for a dealer or auto shop to be involved. I look daily at E Bay to find another good deal as when my wifes lease goes back guess what she will be driving. Great car, exceptional value for money. GM should have made this a Cadillac

• 

  Decent, Fun car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By MNMike - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 99 GL with 33,000 miles a year and a half ago. It now has 62,000 miles. I replaced the original tires at 59,000, and the front brakes at 55,000. This car is fun to drive with the 3.5L, very reponsive, handles beautifully. The only problem Ive had is the voltage regulator. The headlights and accessories (fan) dim/slowdown slightly and repeatedly (more noticeably during cold weather). Dealer told me it had been a problem but GM didnt consider it a recall issue. I can drive as is or pay $400 for a redesigned unit.

• 

  No Better Ride. - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By BUCK AHRUE - March 29 - 5:30 am

  I am the original owner of a 1994 Cutlass Supreme. I would still match my car up to any newer model cars. I relocated to Chicago this past summer and the car has handled just as well in the inclement weather. My car is now approaching 90,000 miles and performs as well today as it always has. I love this car.

• 

  One of my favorites - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By slenderman - March 27 - 10:23 am

  This is my 80 mi. RT commuter. Bought as a GX coupe with 33k on the clock from a GM dealer, 4 Cyl. 2.4L LD9 engine, auto trans, manual windows, a/c. Sporty handling, good acceleration. Great Delco audio system. Since Ive had it, replaced front wheel bearings, brake pads, brake rotors (these seem to warp easy), water pump, alternator. Be sure you keep the oil topped off on these; I switched to 10W-30 when the mileage was getting up there (it was starting to use a lot of 5W-30). Use a better quality oil filter on these also. Only electrical issue Ive had involved the instrument cluster and the vent fan; it used to cut in and out randomly in wet weather. Now getting ready to put it to pasture; its now got cancer behind the doors and 241,000 on it. (It still has the original spark plugs in it!)

• 

  1998 Oldsmobile Bravada - 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Joan Minarchick - March 25 - 12:36 pm

  We will have had our Bravada four years in October. It is a joy to drive. It is fantastic in the winter. It goes in any amount of snow with GREAT traction. I love the sunroof in the summer. Its just like a covertable, but much safer. It even gets good gas milage.

• 

  Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Ron Rottger - March 22 - 2:23 pm

  Bought this vehicle used with 40,000m on it.Had it for almost 2 yrs and its been a great ride. My 15yr old daughter will be getting it in 4 months for her car. Have not spent a dime on it other than 4 new tires and regular maint.Hope for it to last for 6 more yrs.

• 

  WORST OF THE WORST OF THE WORST - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By amrshalaby - March 21 - 1:52 pm

  WORST CAR EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND. Lets see where to start. I will start when the car was bought. AC Fan Resistor. Intake Gasket Manifold. Oil Pressure Sensor. Front Right Spring broke! Front Shocks and Front Springs! Front Wheel bearings went bad. Calibers seized. New brake calibers, new brake lines, and new rotors & pads, and the brakes still seized! AC Clutch bad, needs AC compressor. Cheap interior. dashboard cover is peeling and rolling backwards. New water pump. Then intake gasket only lasted 2 years, needed an engine. This car is an ongoing fire pitt for your money. WORST CAR EVER MADE.

• 

  Great if only it was reliable - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By jkane - March 21 - 10:00 am

  have my bravada nine months, three times had vehicle towed to dealership after engine and all power lost while driving along. FIRST, change wheel-speed sensor; SECOND, gave me new engine; THIRD, told me could not find anything wrong;. Next stop, Trade-in unless Oldsmobile/GM can rectify my problem

• 

  Gutsy V8 with Gadgets - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By DrOrb - March 16 - 2:00 am

  The Aurora 4.0 is a distinctive automobile with creature comforts and plenty of power. It sports a number of techno-features including a low tire pressure alarm. The car is sure-footed and able to operatew with any grade of unleaded gasoline, although 93 octane provides the most punch. My most negative impression is from the stock Michellin tires: theyre a strange size and the warranty proved to be worthless.

• 

  Awesome Vehicle - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By droptopDOHC - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Awesome Car!! Great Power from the DOHC 3.4. Actually beat a Mustang GT at highway speeds. Soft black leather provide excellent comfort. Heads Up Display is a great feature. Steering wheel controls easy to use. Handlings pretty good, though it has the turning radius of a bus. I really enjoy the styling. Have had only minor problems. Just a great car. The black exterior and black interior provides a very cool look. Have been offered 10k for the car (which is sick considering book values under 4). Mechanically strong. Just a great car. A little tip: hit the gas a second before your opponent, itll kick just as he/she puts his/her foot down