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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  i feel safe in this car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By justjess26 - November 23 - 2:00 am

  Last week, I got in a bad accident in my Alero. I was hit in my drivers side door by a truck and my car ended up being totaled, as the accident was very bad. However, it is amazing that I walked out of the accident without any injuries. Both of my airbags deployed, my car did not roll over, and it kept me from getting hurt. There was another Alero owner in the parking lot and he said that it was good to know that the car could protect so well, and that the airbags work, etc. I agree, and would have no problems getting into another Alero.

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  Nice SUV - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Lloyd - November 3 - 3:16 am

  Have owned my Bravada for six months. I bought it with 64,000 miles on it. The only probems are the memory for the mirrors doesnt work, and the bottom passenger seat heater is not working. I paid only $12,900 for it and it has every option. I have been getting about 17 mpg.

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  Overall OK but has some issues - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By drhodesvt - October 21 - 7:23 am

  The car is OK, but with mine both passenger windows need the motor replaced, they just seized up one day. Also, the lights flicker and dim on occasion, which is a known issue. Also, resale value is horrible on this car. The engine, so far, has worked great with no major problems. The issues I have with the car are not covered by a warranty, including some that known issues and should be recalled.

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  10 years and still great - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By ketch5 - October 19 - 7:06 am

  Bought new, special ordered, the day before Thanksgiving 1999 (Mine also came with a dealer installed aftermarket SLP stageI TypeR performance/handling package as well). Bought it for two main reasons: the engine (rated in the 10 best at the time) and the styling; Wanted a European type handling/ride and refinement and this had it. 63000 miles now and 10 years old. All power windows went out over time and had to be replaced (a common GM issue); Other than recent tie rod end replacements, nothing else. Have had this on a race track (Road America road course in Wis.) for over an hour chasing (and passing) BMWs back in 2001; Great handling; OK used, but epxect some issues.

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  Good, but not great - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By warped - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I also had the warped rotors. Warped at 7500 miles. Dealer wouldnt fix, would only turn. Warped again at 10000 miles. After much hassle with Olds, they finally agreed to replace. No problem since. Very good car overall, better than most other domestics, not as good as the imports though.

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  Reliable with regular oil changes - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Kevin - October 8 - 11:03 am

  Bought this car used with only 7,400 miles on it. I now have 86,000 miles on it and it still runs great. ust follow the maintenance schedule and youll be fine. Ive had to replace the battery twice. But no other issues or extra costs. Changed the oil between 3K and when the change oil light came on. I have to make sure I check the oil levels regularly since it uses about a quart in between every oil change. Comfortable, powerful, and good stock speaker system. Handles smooth and predictable.

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  drive and enjoy - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Rob Ohio - September 30 - 10:00 am

  If you want a great car to enjoy riding in then this is the one. Great engine and body style. The 95 -2000 models are much nicer than the new style.

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  cool car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By knn - September 30 - 10:00 am

  its reliable and good for a first time cheap car. cheap and reliable. Ive had no problems with it except a brocken oil sensor and a leak on the door all of which were covered in the warranty

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  alero "the family car" - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mcky09 - September 24 - 10:00 am

  the title says it all. this car has a mature feel throughout every aspect.the ride is very nice and has the power to pass if necessary. maxes out at 97 mph. this is the car to grow old in. and im only 20 with no family. why do i have this car?

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  I Love my Bravada - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Tom Pulmano - September 19 - 3:40 pm

  I bought my Bravada in 2004 with about 84000 miles and now she has 158,000 on the clock. Over the past 5 years I have had to put some money into her but nothing that I would consider outside the ordinary maintenance. Luckily I have a personnel mechanic that has made many repairs to the vehicle at @ 40% less than what it would cost at a dealer. Every time I want to trade her in the vehicle gives me this soulful look and I give in and hang on to her a little bit longer. I am very attached to this car but I know some day we will have to part ways. I would like to hold on to her until she reaches her 200K birthday.