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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  1998 Oldsmobile Aurora - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By JP - February 19 - 5:56 am

  My 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora was a great used car value. It had a bold design, good perfromance and was very reliable. All ever bought for it was tires and a new battery.

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  Alero: Four Years Into Ownership - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By chamescalvin - February 16 - 2:00 am

  After four years, it still looks good and drives well. Driven only 24k miles, mostly short trips to work. So far corrective maintenance has been minor. Ive had the PS pump adjusted once, the rotors turned once, one battery replaced, the drivers side power window motor replaced, and rear door upholstery repaired. I was surprised by the problems reported at this website by some of the other owners. The V-6 provides strong acceleration, the car handles well, and I find it quiet and smooth. Driver visibility is excellent. The cars exterior looks solid. The interior looks fine at a glance, but the dash and door materials are cheap.

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  Short of being perfect - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Mike - February 6 - 5:46 pm

  We have enjoyed our Bravada excepted for a recurring transmission slippage that gives you the sensation to go over a bumpy road as the vehicle starts to accelerate. There is also a loud metallic noise that I have not been able to find the origin. It sounds like a loose hatch door, or loose braking caliper or an heavy piece of metal rattling when on bumpy road.

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  So far... so good - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By nunyerbiz - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Great car so far, Its been in the family for about two years / 25,000 miles. I have a 3.1L and I do seem to have a mysterious oil leak somewhere. It seems to loose a quart or so every 1500-2000 miles. Besides that, I have no major complaints. Nice ride and decent acceleration for a sedan

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  Poor transmission - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Shera - January 31 - 10:00 am

  My Silhouette has been great until at 31000 miles my transmission died. It was in the garage 6 times prior to it dying and is still not fixed!! Im not too impressed with oldsmobile or General Motors.

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  Front Wheel Bearings - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By michael - January 27 - 4:53 am

  I bought the car with 50,000 miles on it. It had problems with the front wheel bearings and ABS sensors. I replaced them on both wheels, but only after 75,000 miles. Now with the high miles (147,000) the service engine soon light is on all the time and the ABS is acting up again. When gassed up there is a problem keeping the car running until it has been driven for a little while. A sensor in the fuel module I believe is the culprit. All in all, this has been a very reliable car for me. It has not stranded me yet. I got my moneys worth.

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  Bad Brakes - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By jugiwad - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Overall Ive enjoyed this car. Its a little underpowered but drives very nicely. Trouble spot: brakes--I had three new sets installed before the warranty expired! Ceramic brakes solved the problem. ABS light has a mind of its own; diagnosed as faulty sensor but cost of replacement is prohibitive. Mileage now about 110K. In the last 12 mos. have replaced serpentine belt, alternator, and the intake manifold, valve cover and oil pan gaskets. One of the front CV axles and seal is failing. This seems like normal wear and tear for a car of this age/mileage.

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  Great Mechanically - Fair Build Quality - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By intrigued in chicago - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Car has been decent. Always starts. Runs smooth. Great engine and transmission. No major fixes out of warranty (almost 20,000 miles ago). Leather is a little below par, and dashboard is a little separated from one vent. I am satisified with purchase. Dealer was terrible, terrible, terrible. Stay away from Rohrman dealerships is Chicago.

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  Sporty Ride - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By RKP - January 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a great ride, sporty and great acceleration for a 170 HP engine. I like its cornering ability no push in the tight corners. Layout is good, night lighting excellent. The ride is solid Excellent handling capability. I am very satisfied mechanically but am looking for a softer and more plush ride.

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  CAUTION! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By CAUTION!!!! - January 16 - 3:00 am

  Bought my Alero because I had rented one once and fell in love with its performance and ride. It is really fast for a coupe. If you are considering buying one from a dealer you better get the extended warranty! I have replaced the rotors on the front (big problem with Aleros). The lower intake gasket leaked so that screwed up the antifreeze. The resistor that controls the blower motor burned out. There is a rattling noise in front suspension that I cant seem to find. Fortunately I got the extended warranty! Id be out a few thousand if I hadnt. Depreciation is ridiculous! Paid $11,000 for it in 2002 and its now worth $6,000 retail/$4,000 trade. I owe $8000.