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:

• 

  alero - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By reese - June 6 - 2:00 am

  all out great vehicle stylish sporty.just the right amount of power,it also haves great features, most standard.

• 

  Very Pleased - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Mike - May 31 - 3:20 am

  We bought our totally loaded Oldsmobile Silhouette GL new. It has everything a GLS has except leather. Weve put 80,000 plus miles on it and we cant complain. Its been extremely reliable and economical. Weve had to replace tires and the coil packs failed at around 60,000 miles. The intake gasket was replaced under warranty as a recall. Everything else has worked just fine. I changed the front brake pads myself at around 40,000 miles. The rears were done just recently. Shes due for shocks and another set of tires, both of which are reasonable in my opinion. Shes never left us stranded or even made as much as a hiccup while on the road. Ive just done oil changes and regular maintenance for 80,000 miles and almost 7 years.

• 

  Young at heart Aurora - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By mesajohn - May 27 - 10:46 am

  I was checking for a caddy when the Aurora jumped at me from the dealership floor. This one was Marine green (thats me,) with two-tone tan and burl interior and loaded.The V-8 performed like a rocket ship and the car cornered like a racecar. I was 24 years old again! The car is subtle in its appearance but when the young kids pull up beside this grandpa at a light and start revving, I show them what a jackrabbit start is really all about. Gotta go. Its time for my geritol.

• 

  Loved this car - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Intrigue fan - May 19 - 1:20 am

  I bought this car used in 2004, w/45,000 miles. I was used to buying foreign, and remember test driving this when it was new. It was designed to compete with foreign cars, handling and design. Also the 3800 Series II was a temp till the engine they planned for the car was finished. I must say I LOVED THIS CAR from the day I bought it, till I sold it, and wish hadnt. The handling was great, and very similar to foreign. Gas mileage was remarkably good for a 3.8 engine. This engine blows the replacement 3.5 engine (later yrs) away. Much smoother and quieter shifting and ride. Great room, great design. I only wish they still made them. My A/C went too. Otherwise reliable, except normal wear.

• 

  Great Van Overall - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By dirkdaddy - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Our first Van, thought Id hate it coming from a sports sedan, but we love it. The Olds/GMs are strong contenders I think. Pluses: * Interior made for American sized people by Americans * Tons of features come on the van * Great fuel milage yet power is enough to spin the wheels even on dry pavement * Transmission is strong, smooth, great shifting and reliable - not like Chrysler or Honda with problems. * Handling with 16" michelins very good * Self-leveling suspension nice touch! We could not belive all the features on the van (we have a used 98 version) and how nice it was inside.

• 

  This Car is GREAT!!!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By luckymrg - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This has got to be one of the nicest suvs I have ever had the pleasure of driving. I like it so much I am looking to buy second one for my wife.

• 

  Alero Coupe with Getrag manual trans. - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Johnnyangel - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, easy to handle, firm shifter, good clutch engagement, comfortable interior- plenty of front and rear legroom, plenty of engine mods available

• 

  Youll take the long way home from work. - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Bork - May 7 - 10:00 am

  The car is a real thrill to drive, with plenty of zip off of stoplights to take care of Civics and Eclipses. The handling is aggressive and crisp, and the acceleration is outstanding. The engine has a nice growl to it, if you like that sort of thing. Ive definately gotten nothing but positive comments from friends and strangers. My major complaints are with rear visibility, due to the high back end, and the extremely large tailights. Theyre unique, but theyre a blaitant attempt to shed Oldsmobiles "your fathers car" steriotype.

• 

  Very Reliable - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By RK - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Only problem so far been a broken drivers side door handle, and it can be a little difficult to fill at the gas pump. Other then that it was a very sweet ride. The New 2001+ Auroras look like an Intrigue, a big mistake by olds.

• 

  Love my Alero - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Aeroguy0369 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Ths is my first car and so far i love it. Performance is great, once u break it in...looks.. it looks really nice.. black coupe.. its hot