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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  1999 Olds Intrigue GLS - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Colin - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This car has a supberb powertrain and good looks, but the cheap interior limits my overall satisfaction. After 3 years Im still very pleased with the power and handling. This car handles like a small car with all the comforts of a big car. Overall reliability has been solid - no mechanical problems yet. The interior feels cheap - even compared to my Sable (which is hardly top of the line). The windows arent tinted enough. I often get uncomfortably hot sun on the back of my neck. The sun visor isnt long enough to completely block the sun (I noticed GM has now fixed this problem.) Typical of every American car Ive owned, this one became very noisy (wind noise) after 6 months.

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  Blown transmission - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Broken trans - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1999 Silhouette and had trans problems. Know I have a 2001Was stopped at traffic light, attempted to take off and trans slipped bad than grabed. Took vehicle to dealer who found planitary gear pieces in bottom of trans pan. Will not buy another GM again.

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  Nice Job, Oldsmobile! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Tom - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable, quiet, floats down the road, handles nicely, excellent brakes, sharp looking, powerful, solid feel. I took the car out the door at invoice, less over $3k in rebates! Overall a fantastic job by Oldsmobile!

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  Americas Only True Sport Sedan - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By kgr - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I read about this cars development and wanted one for years, so this year I bought one used and absolutely love it. Great styling turns heads and brings compliments. Roomy and very comfortable. Lots of intelligent touches, but the engine is the real jewel. Never had such a free revving and powerful engine before (based on the Cadillac Northstar. Great chassis, very solid, drives like a much more expensive European sport sedan, without the high foreign parts costs for repair. Service is available at the local Chevy or Olds dealership at reasonable rates. Insurance is reasonable too.

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  Never again! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By not happy with GM - December 21 - 2:00 am

  At 39,000 miles had to have a head gasket replaced. In 61,000 miles have had to have 3 o2 sensors replaced at various times. Car now has a problem with hesitating going up hills and no one can track down what the problem is. This is the first and last GM product I will buy.

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  stay away - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By e gremmels - December 19 - 10:00 am

  At this point, the car has 63,000 miles. In the last 6 months I have had to replace the air conditioner condensor, fan switch on the air conditioner,head gasket, and starter. Also, the hazard light button has fallen into the dash board and the cell phone receptacle has come loose from its connection and does not work. For a car with this low mileage-the expense of the keeping it running is about to drive me crazy-$2,500 in 6 months. I drive 120 miles a day to work. I have to have a dependable car and this is not one. In addition, the seats are not comfortable for long drives and the cup holders are almost impossible.

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  Excellent car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Brandon - December 17 - 4:03 pm

  Bought this car 5 months ago with 73,600 miles and now has 82,200. Runs like a brand new car. Impressive gas mileage for a V6, 25/city and 28- 31/highway. Excellent acceleration and passing power. Very roomy. Quiet and comfortable ride.

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  Love it and would buy another! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Ann in Tenn. - December 11 - 11:33 pm

  This has absolutely been the best car Ive ever owned! It now has 221,000 miles and still runs like a new one. With regular maintenance the 3.5 engine has never given a problem. The only problem was the fuel pump failed in the 2nd year but warranty covered it. Like other folks said, GM should have kept making these jewels. Its fun and sporty to drive for a family car. Ive had the foreign made cars but Im sticking to American made from now on!!!

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  rock n roll vehicle - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By teresa warren - December 10 - 10:00 am

  quick when you need it cruises great handle very well would buy another one sharp looking

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  Merry Headlights - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BlinkyWinky - December 8 - 2:00 am

  I compared models online and then went to 5 dealers for test drives.I hated the Honda and Toyota, so I decided to settle for a Buick Century, and pulled into the Olds dealer on the way. I had not even considered an Olds for fear they would go out of business and I would be stuck with a car that would be difficult to repair. I needed a car big enough for four adults and an engine that would get me on the freeway fast. The incredible handling sold me. I have now discovered a serious design problem.The dash and HEADLIGHTS dim so low they nearly go out! HQ says it is "NORMAL"! Now I am stuck with a car that blinks like a Christmas Tree!!