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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  Oldsmobile Intrigue 2002 - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Ken Corey - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I previously owned a Cadillac Seville and wanted a car equal in comfort and size. This is just as comfortable, more peppy, and more economical. I only have my cars dealer serviced because they know the cars.

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  Nice vehicle - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Nkairns - April 6 - 10:00 am

  Purchased used at 58000 kms. Comfortable ride, good suspension and lots of interior room.

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  Great Used Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By 1st Olds - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car with 98000 miles on it needed a car badly at the time price was great but was worried because of mileage now at 108k and car runs great. cant believe the deal I got. compared to my used Honda Civic that only had 28k miles and has cost me $700 on repairs and still needs the ac fixed and has check engine light on again. This car is a dream. Also has great power. My next new car will be a GM product.

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  Best car I ever had - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Al - April 1 - 4:00 pm

  I like this car a lot the style is great the interior is top notch. I think the best thing is I got mine with the v8 which is believe it or not is rather good on gas I average 23 mpg that is better than my Taurus when running only did 18 mpg now it does 0. I should have purchased this car along time ago. I am done with v6 motors I have had no luck with them .

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  Excellence with the Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By nosralj - March 25 - 2:00 am

  After leasing an Alero in 99, I bought another 4 door GX in 2002, but this one was a manual. This car was a steal and with the rebates I was able to get it for $17k. The car drives beautifully and gives off a solid feel. I had minimum problems only having problems with the backseat door paneling pealing due to the extreme Arizona heat. If Im ever in an accident, I have the confidence that the other car wont punch a hole in the Alero like paper machete. With its sporty exterior and manual transmission to boot, provides me the pleasure of driving a sport car at a reasonable price. Great car.

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  Awesome Aurora - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Kubes - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this Aurora since 8/2002 and have had no problems. 25k when purchased and 50k currently. V8 growls with plenty of power, gas mileage is not bad for a V8, approx. 21mpg. Stereo is very nice, heated seats are awesome, tons of room in the back seats, power seats are nice. Only problem is very little headroom in front drivers seat, Ive adjusted the seats as many ways as imaginable and just make it...Im only 6? Otherwise, awesome car!

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  GLS is the best - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By goin comando - March 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is fabulous. It handles beautifully, its comfotable, sporty, and fast. NONE better...

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  I love it! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By MFB - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Between the GM Mastercard rebate and the dealer discounts, I could have bought two-three Aleros for one import. This GLS with the handling package, radio upgrade, minus the tail fin is a clean looking flawless fun to drive car. I cruises the turnpike at 80 with power to spare and plenty of comfort. With the 5 year GM warranty it will be hard to find an excuse to trade it early. This is the best car I have ever owned!

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  seems reliable to me - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By geri7 - March 13 - 11:16 pm

  I havent seemed to have any serious problems with my 03 Alero, which is now at 201,700 miles. Just some part that needed to be replaced, which included my fuel pump, but that was my fault, because I hated so much to stop and get gas, and my gas will always be on empty. And a harmonic balancer and something that has to do with the drivebelt. But that was just very recent. So, I have to say, my car has served me very well. But, 3 of my windows dont work anymore. But I can live with that. Those arent the parts that matter anyway. Very satisfied with my car. Oh, love the stereo.

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  Great car - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jroberts - March 5 - 3:16 am

  This car has over 120,000 miles. I bought it new and other than routine maintenance the only repair has been a new compressor for air conditioning. The leather seats have held up really well. My favorite thing about this car is the fast acceleration. It is like no other car I have driven and makes merging onto a highway a safer experience.