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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  Trans failed at 11,000 - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By froondoon - February 4 - 7:41 am

  The transmission failed at 11,000 miles. I bought a new GM replacement which they will guarantee for 100,000 miles or 3 hears. It wasnt under warranty because it was in a garage for 10 years, so it cost me over $4000. The AC motor leaks and the dealer couldnt find the tool to replace it. But it drives well and smoothly and handles very well for a GM car.

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  super car - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By john C - January 7 - 5:06 am

  this is my first SUV, it is awsome to drive although i quickly found out how much Gas an SUV will run through. the only problems are the gas and the ride. the ride is smooth and awsome, although on longer trips i soon get annoyed by the slight sway of the vehicle. any pothole, bump, or crack in the road causes the car to sway mildly. the wind roar isnt any thing to brag about either. as for exterior it is good, just like a trailblazer which i love. the headlights are ugly but it doesnt matter to me. i love this car, it is luxurious yet competitive. great car.

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  Bye-bye Olds - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mountainman68 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Maybe it is good GM is axing Olds. This was a "program" car, so maybe it was abused before we got it, but before 75000 miles we had a motor mount break, coolant leak from intake manifold, 3 full brake jobs, twice in shop for driveability - one was an air sensor. Dont remember the other problem. Continuous intermittent electrical problems that dealer cant find. Im glad I bought an extended warranty. (too bad the brakes werent covered) I do like the sporty styling and V6 performance, but interior is too small and car cannot be trusted. I will be trading it in the very near future. I will not be buying another GM product. Period.

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  Blown transmission - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Broken trans - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1999 Silhouette and had trans problems. Know I have a 2001Was stopped at traffic light, attempted to take off and trans slipped bad than grabed. Took vehicle to dealer who found planitary gear pieces in bottom of trans pan. Will not buy another GM again.

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  Do not buy one - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Laura Rudolphi - November 26 - 10:00 am

  Problems from begining dealership was worthless bought w/ 43,000 miles. Ignition and transmission went out no help from anyone. 4,000 mile out of original warrantee trans went out no help from Olds or dealer cost over $4,000. Brakes and rotors were defective ,shimmer and shake when turning and taking off

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  Very Unhappy - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Not A Fan - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I am very disappointed with my 2 door GLS Alero. After owning it for 10 months, it has leaked (I mean 2-3 inches of water in back floorboard) 4 times!!! The dealership keeps "fixing" it, but to no avail. Not a happy customer

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  Comfortable and Quiet - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By Matt - August 13 - 6:36 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 96 with the 4-cyl. engine. It has never stranded us though it has had some major problems. They include eating three head gaskets and bad rusting near the trunk/rear end. There are two baseball sized holes at each rear wheel well into the trunk. and while it has not been a real problem, the fuel pump whirrs loudly, enough for the passengers to always ask "whats that sound?". Otherwise it has a great ride and comfortable seats, which makes up for the lackluster acceleration and performance. This car has developed more and more rattles and squeaks from the dash. I guess its not TOO bad for an American car with high mileage and not garaged for its whole life.

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  2002 Bravada Problems - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bikehawk47 - August 8 - 10:00 am

  We have had numerous quality problems. The dealer has yet to fix one on the first trip. One problem was that the "brake" lite on the dash came on while driving. It would only go off if we turned the car off. After 3 trips a short was finally found We also have twice replaced the plastic molding around the drivers inside door handleand it still keeps popping out in the matter of 3 days, we had the drivers power seat track break and the fuel guage stop working The vehicle got so far out of alignment that the front tires were ruined. The access door to the oil filter has broken.

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  Lemon - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Former GM customer - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Worst vehicle Ive ever bought. GM just repurchased it..... after I got an attorney. In the shop on a regular basis. Transfer case shutter, transmission replaced, front end noise, light out on instrument panel, leak in back liftgate, almost had an accident because it didnt accelerate due to transmission problems. It was nice..... when it worked. Horrible build quality. Have always bought GM until now. Just replaced this with a Toyota. Doubt Ill ever buy GM again.

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  You wonder why GM is in trouble! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By whitealleycat - July 21 - 3:56 pm

  The 2001 Oldsmobile Alero is a piece of junk. I had more problems than you can imagine with it, far too many to list. The windows were scratched from the power windows, electrical problems, wheel bearing, brakes (x3), ABS sensors, you name it. This car was a money pit. When I tried to sell it, it was worth nothing. I basically gave it away and the poor kid who bought it, broke down after two hours of owning it. What a nightmare. Avoid this car or any GM product. They dont stand behind there name. When your warranty runs out, your screwed. Im looking at a Subaru now. I swear I got 300 kms out of a tank of gas.