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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  Alero GLS - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By CAR CRITIC - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE A 2000 ALERO GLS THAT HAS V6. EXCELLENT POWER WITH EXCEPTIONAL GAS MILEAGE (30 MPG HIGHWAY). THE BAD PART IS TORQUE STEER. THE CAR DOES NOT STEER WELL UNDER FULL THROTTLE. MY GLS MODEL HAS THE INTERIOR OF A MUCH MORE EXPENISVE CAR. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS WITH BRAKES. THE NEW PADS EAT ROTORS LIKE CRAZY. THE CAR HAS TONS OF LIGHTS ON THE DASH TO TELL EVERY LITTLE PROBLEM IT HAS WHICH COME ON TOO FREQUENTLY. THE DECK LID ALSO LEAKS INTO THE TRUNK WHEN IT IS OPENED AFTER A GOOD RAIN. THE CAR IS VERY FLASHY FOR ITS PRICE RANGE, AND HAS GREAT POWER WITH THE V6, BUT THE CAR COULD USE SOME REFINEMENT ESPECIALLY THE BRAKES.

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  After 7 years - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By NPiper - April 16 - 11:16 pm

  After having this van for 7 years, it has been a great van. However, now everything is starting to go - one thing at a time. Its nickle and diming me to death now. Short term, great auto - long term - dont think Id by another one. The middle bucket seats are great for road trips. The back bench seat isnt that comfy, but we are never back there anyway. The back has lots of room.

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  Didnt make the cut - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By larryc - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Except for the wind noise, look and feel is GREAT. However the car has been plagued with trouble from day one. Has been is for no fewer than 20 times in three years.

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  Absolute Base Model Review - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Johnny - April 8 - 11:58 pm

  2.2L EcoTec engine is decently powered for being in a bigger sedan. The instrument panels are very basic like just the bare essentials. Radio is different from the other models. its actually different from the one shown in the owners manual. The window clips that hold the window on a non-power window do become very fragile in advanced age. Only 2 major issues that have happened was transmission lines busting and brake lines busted all in spots which were difficult to repair by myself. There is one nagging issue but is very common and that is the security lock out upon start. The other slight issue is simply the road, between noise and comfort of ride. As the driver i have never had an issue with comfort in the front seat. My passengers tell me the front passenger seat is fine but the back feels like you are dragging the road. I would say this could be suspension. However, i replaced the whole nine yards of it, making it brand new parts. One major recommendation with an Alero (and any car for that matter), is to always do the regular maintenance because as it wears out, the way the car runs and rides becomes rough in this car. I know this due to the Condition of it when I purchased the vehicle in 2012.

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  99 olds cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By crusty oldfeller - April 2 - 4:50 pm

  Not all of the problems with this car have been with the car. Mechanics have had a hand in it. Excellent winter car performance wise. Rust after 9 years just beginning to show through. Performance comparable with the BMW and Saab that I have driven. 3.5 like a small v-8. Wife was hell on the front end. Nice size for Christmas shopping. Smiles

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  Works like a Truck - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Carol P - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my van..didnt think I would but I do...Its the car when a group of us go out to dinner so we can all be together...and (with the rear seat out) it hauls anything I need it to from furniture to my 2 golden retreivers...and 10 feet of pvc pipe too!

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  What a deal..... - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By vodie - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I needed to replace a mini-van that was worn out and I was plain tired of minivans. Honda Element... too wierd, Honda Civic..too small, Accord...too $$. I have owned a couple Hondas and they have the occasional quality issue anemic heaters etc. A used car lot had a Buick Rendez. and noticed a dozen 2004 Alero program cars. They were clean, comfortable, and CHEAP. I got an 6cyl, with ABS, power seat, CD and wing. Hey this is comfy and I was out the door for $11000 and they took my Chevy APV with a bad tranny on trade. The Alero is nice, ABS is good compared to the unrefined ABS Chevy put in the APV in 1995. There is a fit problem with the center dash vent. I am HAPPY and NOT car poor.

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  60000 and Counting - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By wkinkaid - March 15 - 5:16 pm

  After renting an Alero, we decided to move away from Ford for a while and bought a 2002 GL1. This car was solid until 40K. I feel things like the steering rack, gaskets, struts, brakes and fuel pumps shouldnt fail until 100K or more. Just glad we bought the extended warranty this time. Too bad for us the value has went down and we are forced to keep it. GM shows that being the biggest doesnt mean being the best.

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  Still going - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BB - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This is BB who posted on 3/9/10. My Intrigue is at 266K. Kept asking my mechanic when he thought it would go and he said the motor was still strong. Ive had restless nights trying to decide between buying another used 2000 Intrigue or above (noticed below 2000 clist ads had issues) again or a used foreign car. Toyota was the only other my mech rec. My car had 2 repairs costing $200/$400 since last post and then the a/c compressor went out. I did not fix bc IDK when the car will call it quits. Called around and found a 2000 w/115k miles and am getting it this wknd. Knock on wood I have luck w/this one! Im going to drive the old one til spring since the ac is out and switch to the other car.

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  BURNS OIL - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jamied - February 28 - 10:00 am

  I currently have a 1999 Olds Intrigue GL with the 3.5L motor (56,000 miles).I drive a combination of city and highway.Its a really good car for the most part; but, I have one HUGE complaint. It burns oil like you wouldnt believe. For those of you out there who wait for the "Change Oil" light to come on before simply heading to the lube shop, I have a very rude awakening for you. The first time I checked my oil after 4000 miles(before light came on) there was only a trace of oil on the stick. Now,I check my oil every 1000 miles and this car burns a quart of oil every 2500 miles.The dealer checked this and said it was normal? Anyone else have this issue?