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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  The people mover - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By ataur - July 19 - 5:23 am

  I bought this van for business purposes, because of its design. The ride is fantastic and comfort is at par with some of the major luxury brands, it isnt known as "the Cadillac of Minivans" for no reason. Americans can never get their computer systems right, and that became apparent when the ABS, Traction control systems failed. I dont have time to go to dealership to fix it, and even if I took it to the dealership, these sound like expensive repairs. Will just have to buy a new vehicle soon. Great for traveling in, highly recommend this car, if you go on a lot of trips, good gas mileage on the highway, horrible in city.

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  none - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By caddymessy - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE A 2002 AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING OUT JUST FNE

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  Good Vehicle - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By ProFinishesCustom - July 2 - 4:16 am

  I drove this car from Jacksonville, FL to Portland, OR. It was comfortable, the only problem I had with the vehicle was that the coolant resivour had cracked in Texas. I replaced it and we went on our way and made it to Oregon with no problems at all. This vehicle overall, I would probably rate it a high 8 or mid 9.

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  Cutlass blues - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Sandykoot - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I found the car to be comfortable enough, and when it works, it works well. Like others, I find it eats brakes up at an amazing rate, having replaced the front brakes 4 times in 90,000 miles. Have had problems with AC, which never worked well, as well as radio,alternator, computer module, an unfindable coolant leak and other minor problems. I am disappointed in the reliability of the car, and am trading it much sooner than I wished due to its unreliability. Thank God for AAA, which gets called to drag this dog out of the road. This is my second and LAST Olds.

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  What an E-Bay buy. - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By KBViper - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 1994 convertible on E-Bay for $4850 US. I always wanted one of these cars and got the color I wanted - Teal. The car had spend all of its life in the south and is in near new condition with only 64,000 miles. It turns lots of heads up here in Canada - most people have never seen one before. Ive put over 3,000 miles in the car and have had no problems - not a drop of oil burned Lots of performance, and great looks, I recommend this car - get one from the southern US.

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  WOE MULE!! - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By inkeyjr - June 14 - 10:00 am

  I have been an Olds owner for exactly one year and 3 weeks and already I have racked up a ton of miles. The car is addictive to drive and the acceleration is awsome. Only one thing, the interior is mighty cheap as well as a few minor electrical problems that have started to occur when I hit the 50,000 mile mark. Overall, Id say that this vehicle is great engine wise) however it is not intended for people who want to steer away from speeding tickets.

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  XLNT Car - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Oldsman - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Since I purchased my car, it has been excellent. My only copmplaint is that it is a little cramped for such a large, long car-- not much leg or head room for someone over 6 feet tall. Im 62", and I drive with the seat all the way back (and tilted all the way back), and the backrest tilted back at about 35 degrees. My (short) hair still brushes the roof. Because of that, my next car will probably be a Cadillac STS. But if youre altitudinally challenged, this is one great, smooth, good-looking and reliable car.

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  2002 Olds Intrigue GL - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Tony M - May 28 - 5:26 am

  This is the wifes car,but I drive it occasionally. We negotiated a very good price and GM gave a $3500 rebate. I occasionally drive the car, and it is always a pleasure. It is very comfortable,handles well,plenty of power and loaded with features. This car has been rock solid reliable through 67k miles (knock on wood). The OHC engine took a little getting used to. Im used to the classic push rod grunt off the line and then power fade at 4000 or so rpm. Exactly the opposite happens with the 3.5 OHC. Overall we are VERY pleased with the Intrigue. I am and always have been a "GM guy." It is a shame that the Olds division had to die-they were building GMs best cars.

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  Its been good to me! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By chridan - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This car has been great! Have had it almost 4 years and havent had any problems with it.

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  jojo - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By auntjojo - May 18 - 2:00 am

  Its a good little car ,but i have had clogged fuel injectors at under 14000 miles ,also a defective battery replaced. The interior design was a bit chintzy some cup holders and small plastic parts pop out of place easily.I like the design of the outside but i am very mad that it didnt do well in frontal crashes (poor rating) i would have reconsidered the purchase if i had this info before hand!