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:

• 

  Great car, Not so many problems. - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By drivesalot - August 14 - 1:26 am

  I bought a 2001 model in January of 2001. Since then ive put approximately 30k miles on this car. It runs great, and I love the safety features. The only problem I had was a defective fog lamp 5 days after I purchased the vehicle. This was replaced within 30 minutes of me dropping off the car at lunch time. I find this car very comfortable for long (15 hour) drives, and very fun on shorter drives.

• 

  Fantastic Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By herbk - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have 103,000 miles on my second Aurora and have had nothing but fun and reliability from this car. Great power, nice looking, and super dependable. It was a sad day when they changed this body style then dropped the Aurora completely.

• 

  hey hey - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ashee - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I really like it. It has great speed and is easy to handle. It looks sporty and is alot of fun.

• 

  Oldsmoblie 2001 Intrigue - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Beachbums - August 2 - 2:00 am

  The car has been a very reliable and comfortable, but it has had a rough start. In the beginning it had a defective engine which had to be shipped back to the manufactuar and I was left without a car for a few weeks. However, they did replace the engine. Otherwise it has wonderful performance and notable styling. Above all else, you got decent features for your money.

• 

  My Last Olds - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Melodance - August 2 - 2:00 am

  My last Olds only because GM is phasing them out. Owned Olds cars for 20 years. Overall very satisfied with this car and am glad I purchased it. Have received many compliments on the vehicle. I feel my 1993 Achieva had a little better gas mileage, but Alero delivers and handles well. Good in the city and on the road. Very sad that GM is closing the division. All my Oldsmobiles have been reliable, dependable cars with only required maintenance. Hoping this Alero follows suit--so far its showing it will. Worth considering!

• 

  A great, low-key luxury car - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By lola - August 1 - 8:43 am

  I bought the Aurora because I wanted a great luxury car that was also understated (unlike a Lexus or Audi). It is fantastic on long trips or around town. I like it so much that I now have 2!

• 

  Unbelievable value - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By advantagelefty - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Love this car, dynamite ride. the faster you take her the better ride she gives you. I picked it up used, with the manufactures warrantee, what an unbelievable value

• 

  I like it, I love it, - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By n9qej - July 28 - 10:00 am

  This Olsmobile Aurora is the most comfortable sedan ever had. We rate it better than Buick, Chryler, Mercury,Cadillac and Lincoln! Large trunk, and great smooth touring vehicle as well as fine in metropolitans areas also. All items are easy to access and so convenient to operate with controls on dash as well as on steering wheel. The cozy contour of the dash is marvelous. Appreciate the 100000 mile rust warranty on the vehicle and would that all car manufacturers have as much reliability on their vehicles. It is nice to have oil filter, air filter, fluid(s)check areas convenient also.

• 

  Fun car to drive!!! - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By sweetheart29 - July 22 - 10:00 am

  I have always dreamed of owning this car since they first came out, but was never in the market for one since I already owned two reliable cars. It didnt seem like much since to buy a third until my husband was in an accident with our one car, so then it was perfect timing to buy a 2004 and we are so happy with it. Its very fun to drive and you get lots of looks from people and compliments.

• 

  best car Ive owed in thirty years - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By RADKOR - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car as a storm damaged r- titled car, tree fell accross the hood. Been driving for almost 2yrs. only thing replaced was a fuel regulator. Gets 34mpg hwy/ 24city. Keeps up w/ the best from Germany. Still has the original BFGs with 55k miles. With traction contol I was never stranded in our Pittsburgh snow,(66"). Gobbs of room, should have seen me, my wife and 2kids coming back from the grandparents in NC @ Christmas.