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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  2000 Olds Intrigue GL - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jroy94 - February 10 - 8:14 am

  When we bought ours about 3 months ago I loved it. But now, the crankshaft sensor needs to be replaced, the starter needs to be replaced and the gas needle has this problem where it still has 6 gallons of gas after it gets to E. Other than those problem its a good running car. Plenty of power and handles like a sports car.

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  1998 Olds Cutlass (same as the Malibu) - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By shuge - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this in May 2000 with 28k it now has 62k.The problems: Lots of rattles and noise from the interior parts. Alternator went out at 52k miles. Began leaking anti-freeze from around one of the heads at 50k miles. The ABS system went haywire at 60k miles. Handles horribly. Especially in the snow. This car has kind of soured me on GM. It seems like its held together with bubble-gum and scotch tape. I never drove it very hard, although it is a 8 mile stop and go commute to work. Overall I am very disappointed with the car. Dont know if I got a bad one or if other people have the same problems.

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  An overall excellent SUV - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By River Ratster - February 8 - 2:00 am

  A very attractively designed vehicle. The overall comfort and ride is vastly improved over the mid-1990s GM SUVs of which I owned one. My experience on reliability for this vehicle has been excellent. The selection of options at time of purchase, in my opinion, was more flexible and superior to many of the competing foreign makes. It is unfortunate that the Oldsmobile division of GM is being discontinued. I recently purchased a new 2004 Bravada.

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  Mixed Emotions - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Barq444 - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I love the way the car handles as well as its looks. However, I have had many reoccuring problems when it comes to cosmetics. First problem I had on many occasions is the bubbling of the leather on the door panels. They were replaced on a few occasions while under warantee, again Im having the problem. I have also had the windows sticking to the rubber which has broken the motors of the electric windows both during and now after the warantee has expired. I have already replaced the motors on both front doors and am now replacing the rear drivers. The replacement costs are an outrageous $400 each. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE AGAIN.

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  Trans failed at 11,000 - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By froondoon - February 4 - 7:41 am

  The transmission failed at 11,000 miles. I bought a new GM replacement which they will guarantee for 100,000 miles or 3 hears. It wasnt under warranty because it was in a garage for 10 years, so it cost me over $4000. The AC motor leaks and the dealer couldnt find the tool to replace it. But it drives well and smoothly and handles very well for a GM car.

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  Best Aurora - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By anjinmike - January 23 - 9:26 pm

  I drive 25,000 miles/yr; get 26+mpg; have had one mechanical problem (drivers door handel broke); very quiet after I put Yokahoma tires on it; beat a teenager driving a new SS Camero off the line three days ago; after I got the governor removed west Texas speeds are very comfortable(a Mustang and I did 130-140 for almost an hour); 100k engine tune-up expensive but still runs like new; been using Mobil One and reset the computer when the oil life gets to 25%. Too bad the car was down sized for 2001, new ones just arent the same. I would have liked to try the car out in Germany I think it would hold its own running the Autobahns,slow lane only though.

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  Probably the best car I have owned - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By tangerinepug - January 15 - 11:52 pm

  I am the third owner of this car. I bought it from my father, four years ago, prior to that it was a rental car. In the past four years, only one time have I put the key in the ignition and turned it, did the car not start! Just for that reason, the starter went out. I might add that this girl has 197,000 miles on it. My brother, a local mechanic, says I can easily get 250,000 out of her. She has always burned a little oil, and I am not as diligent on the changes as I should be. I have replaced a few minor parts, which is not a big surprise with the higher mileage.

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  Great Car No longer Made - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Pretz - January 14 - 2:00 am

  GM finally gets one almost there but a bit too late. With a bit more refinement the Intrigue could have been a BMW competitor at much lower cost. Great handeling, plenty of power (3.5l 215hp)and problem free. Exterior styling a bit bland but still worth a look.

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  Excited About Alero!!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By vanillaalero - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Just bought my new olds alero. Thus far, from what I can tell, this is a great vehicle. Has great handling, good acceleration, nice turning raduis & is a sporty little car but has four doors. So that is a great solution for mothers like me who still want sports cars but need space for the little ones. Best of all its soooooo fun to drive!!!

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  Helluva truck - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bravada Man - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck used in 2000 and its only hit the mechanic twice. Once for brakes and calipers and the other for a sluggishness that was attributed to dirty fuel injectors (fixed with a $27 chemical that goes in the fuel tank). This car is my families only one and we love it. It has treated us great and its like driving a luxury car. Get one while you still can.