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:

• 

  Very Satisfied - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Quite Content - November 19 - 2:00 am

  After reading other reviews, I was stunned that people were disappointed after owning this vehicle. Mind you, this vehicle is not for everyone. But my wife and I were looking for a comfortable midsize SUV that did not have a third row. The Bravada is extremely comfortable and easy in its ride.

• 

  problems - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Gabbert - November 17 - 10:00 am

  only problem I have had was with bad gas,so the ports had to be cleaned out three times.once in arizona then twice in park ridge il.

• 

  Love the Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Darina Popova - November 15 - 9:46 pm

  This is the best car I have bought ever. I was worried about the gas costs and the power but it has worked out great.

• 

  Best Vehicle Ive Owned - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Kelly - November 9 - 1:26 pm

  It seems many owners havent had as much luck as I have. My van has over 100,000 miles on it, and I bought it new. Only had one major repair- manifold leak at 50K -$900. Never stranded, had front brake pads replaced, regular oil changes, transmission system flush and MUST use BP gas or it will have injector problems where it runs rough, chugs and the engine light goes on. Since I have been using BP gas, havent had an issue in 5 years. (Dealer told me I had to replace all the injectors at $1500! -- not true at all - just changed the gas after reading a newspaper article.) Still runs great, still on original battery. Best car Ive owned in 30 years.

• 

  Loved my little old car! - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By kmfresh - October 29 - 8:04 pm

  I absolutely loved my eighty-eight. Only problem I ever had with it was the water pump breaking and the belt breaking (only one-time fixes for me). I drove 12 hour round trips at least once a month and drove it every single day around town, to and from work, and across state for over 2 years and it always got me where I needed to go, no problems. Very reliable and dependable. I miss my Rico. Id definitely buy another one if I got the chance.

• 

  The Best Car EVER! - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By AndyG - October 20 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best cars ever made. I love it. It has gotten me off icy hills with its great peformance and power. I avoided several wrecks I know I wouldnt have avoided in a different car.

• 

  Missing My Bravada! - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By pinsey - October 16 - 8:19 pm

  My Bravada was a 1999. I bought it in 2003 and just sold it with only 125,000 miles on it. Now, I wish I wouldve held onto it. But, we have two other vehicles to drive, and one had to be sold. My 1999 Bravada was the best. I must have loaded over 1,000 bags of groceries, and 800 bags of soil and mulch over the years. Transported furniture and plants, and never had one problem. Loved the heated seats and AWD, especially here in Minnesota with our rough winters. When I bought the car it only had 27,000 miles on it. Loved the sunroof and leather seats. Great car. Wish they still made them. Miss "Oldsmobile".

• 

  I would buy it again! - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Clint317 - October 14 - 9:10 pm

  Bought my Oldsmobile Bravada used about 6 months ago and havent had a single problem yet. Im a truck and SUV man with experience in various makes and models. I like the Expeditions more, but the Bravadas rank right up there with them. Its a small SUV with a smaller engine but plenty of power and great fuel economy (for an SUV - 19mpg). Excellent smooth quiet ride and good handling. Luxury interior with all the extras and no rattles, solid. Nothing bad to say. Looks like a Blazer but it is nothing like it, its much better.

• 

  quin - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By quin - October 13 - 10:00 am

  this vechicle rides very smoothly has good suspension.

• 

  What I think - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By awesome car - October 9 - 1:56 pm

  This car has been a joy to drive it has a moon roof very comfy and rides and handles great it was a great decision and a great price and a lot better than my cavalier.