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 love my Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By CP - May 10 - 5:56 pm

  New off the lot, thought i needed a new one until i started looking, the new 2009 SUVs are trash compared to my truck, apart from normal service, air con swith has gone twice,annoying in houston heat, the truck has cost nothingComfort of. But thats it. I have averaged 19.6 mpg and i drive stop and go commute. i love my silver girl.

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  Im very happy with my Aurora! - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Jay - May 10 - 12:06 pm

  Ive owned my Olds for 3 years and I have to say its the best car Ive ever had! Its very comfortable to drive, especially on 3 day road trips. I get 33mpg (highway driving). Amazing what high octane fuel and K&N air filters can do for mileage and passing power! Its very safe/stable driving on highways or in the city in all whether conditions be it be rain, ice or blizzard. I cant even tell the roads are bad it handles so well! Here in Canada we have extreme road conditions and I have no problem passing other cars/trucks (good or poor road conditions). There has been no work done to the car except regular maintenance. No breakdowns or problems. Car has 77,400 miles on it so far.

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  a winner - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Kurtis - May 7 - 2:00 am

  owned four years and have only replaced a battery (under warranty.) routine service at Vacaville CA dealership has been excellent and at nominal cost. Olds has seemed to really value its customers. The Bravada looks as good as when it came off the showroom. Mechanically sound, good performance in all weather inc snow. Ride is very good for a truck and is quiet. Tows well to about 4500 lbs. Would highly recommend.

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  Pleasant Ownership Experience - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By TIGGER - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Very pleasant ownership experience. Vehicle has a sporty feel & plenty of pep to make driving fun yet has a pleasant ride. Has plenty of room for 4 adults without feeling like a big car.

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  Good Value - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Hans - May 1 - 10:56 am

  I bought the car with 65k miles and it now has 120k. Besides routine maintenance, I have only had to go the shop twice. Once for the motor for the drivers side window, and once for a vent fan. It is spacious and comfortable. The dual climate control is a convenient feature.

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  Why did they stop building this car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By raymanrayray - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I love to drive this car. You got the good sound the performance style everything all in one car. I would buy the newest version if they built one in a heartbeat. I have only had electric problems with it but thats it I still love the car.

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  Love my Alero GLS - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Josh - April 25 - 12:53 am

  Other than oil changes, brake pads and one warranty head gasket this car has run like a champ. It has been dependable with no problems. I will probably put another 85,000 miles on it before I replace it.

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  Fun to drive - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By alero1 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is really fun to drive. Ive owned it for 11 months, 11,000 miles. No problems except for a slow leak in one tire. Quiet, great stereo, comfortable, even for a larger person.

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  Better Equipped Than More Expensive Cars - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Linda Ann - April 16 - 11:16 pm

  Nobody can beat the heated 6-way power front seats, chrome wheels. This car was smart looking & very reliable.

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  cad in an olds body - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By slf - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Great car, same as the cad,but on an olds bod. a great, savings and the same performance