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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  Brake Trouble-Dealer wont help - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Raymond Colley - August 18 - 4:43 pm

  I bought my Oldsmobile Silhouette in 2000 and had no problems until about 30,000 miles. The drivers side front rotor was scored because the brake pad was worn unevenly. Took it to my dealer and was told I was driving incorrectly. The right front was fine, only the left was worn. So I had the left rotor, pads, and caliper replaced. At about 55,000 miles it did it again. Took it to three dealers and they told me the same thing. I wish I knew what I was doing wrong! (LOL) After talking to several GM mechanics, I found this is not an unusual problem with this van. Everything else works fine-but every 25,000 miles I had to replace the brake pads-I cant afford a new rotor each time.

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  Olds mini van - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Mybert. - August 18 - 2:00 am

  no major problems after the recalls for the power sliding door switch. Had a problem with air conditioner pulley @20000 miles but repaired under warranty. No problems since. I now have over 35000 miles on it.

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  Fun, Looks great & only small problems - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ibjeepr - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car used with 33000 miles on an impulse when I was actually looking for a used suburban. I havent regreted it. It is one of the nicest looking cars out there,is fun to drive and has had only a couple insignifigant problems. I drive 400 miles every other weekend and enjoy it. I drive hard (just ask my poor passangers)and havent seen the rapid brake wear even the mechanic told me to expect.

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  so good I bought a second one - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tuckbar - August 10 - 6:26 am

  my wife and I leased a 99 alero when they first came out. although we bought the base model, (with the 4 cyl.), we both enjoyed driving it! So much so, that I bought an 02 with all the options(except leather). The 6 cyl motor & performance suspension options make this car perform better than most of the japanese cars that I test drove. the price was also thousands of $$$ less!

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  Just the facts.. - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Dean Morales - August 9 - 11:03 am

  I bought the car as a commuter and daily drove it with 2 passengers for 3 years. I drove it on vacations and cross country. It handles well, (better than an Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, (my car pool partners vehicles and got better mileage) I see no difference in the quality and reliability. Its north of 89,000 miles now and is my daughters college and roadtrip car. Zero problems in 5 years...

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  Satisfied - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By CH - August 7 - 10:00 am

  This car has been reliable but quirky at times--cannot keep center ac vent on dash in one piece! Has been replaced twice, still it breaks. Sometimes gives false ratings on message center- low tire pressure when very cold outside. Just replaced both crankshaft sensors--gave check engine light and caused car to die in traffic! Other than these problems the car has been great. Now has 52,000 on odometer.

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  2001 Alero - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ruth - August 2 - 10:00 am

  It is a decent car for the money. It is fun to drive, but definitely not luxurious. I have the v6, so it has tons of pep. A lot of road noise on the expressway and you feel every bump in this vehicle. My car has a very long crank, which can be embarassing. (GM says its normal) And the suspension doesnt feel like it is built for a v6.

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  2000 Alero GLS Sedan - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By GLS Owner - July 29 - 2:00 am

  Within the first 9000 mile iI realized that I cant get more than 24 miles to the gallon and my rotors were warped, although I had plenty of pad left.After 4000 more miles(twice) I turned them at my own cost. Then had to replace them all. My right side driver seat bolster pulled off so I am driving around with a metal bar against my back.The problem is WARRANTEE and SERVICE no car is perfect!

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  Could be High Dollar - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Al in Texas - July 24 - 2:00 am

  This could be a High Dollar car if there wasnt so many things going wrong with it. I had bought the car w/36000 miles on it. Break job w/in the 1st year. New tires 2nd year. New internal fan moter for interier comfert 3rd year. And fixed the horn twice during this time. Also the Alternator went out twice.

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  Keep the Alero - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ray Sarchet - July 23 - 5:56 pm

  Its a darn good car, comfortable, affordable with good fuel economy. Its the kind of car America ought to be driving!