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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  Good Car, Bad Quality - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By unreliable2000 - February 6 - 8:43 pm

  Would have been an excellent car if reliability and build quality were better. I had it for 3 years and only put 24,000 miles on it. Here is what had to be replaced: rack and pinion steering, cv-joints, thermostat, horn, cd player, and alternator. Not normal for a 24,000 mile car. I also had probems with an erratic check engine light. The car was comfortable and rode well, and the performance was good. Performance would have been excellent if it had a 5 speed auto or 6 speed manual. Traction was also very poor in the snow. Interior was of modern Japanese design, but the plastics quality was 1970s American. I was going to keep the car after the lease was turned it in after all the trouble.

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  One big headache - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Stay Clear - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Very nice looking vehicle,but its one problem after another,and the service is a joke.My vehicle has 24,500 miles and has already has had 3 complete brake jobs due to warped rotors,and has been to the dealer on 12 occasions for other problems.I highly recommend staying clear of this vehicle,unless you want mine!If the later of the two is the case, disregard anything I stated earlier,its a great car!

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  Ol Reliable - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By finderskeepers - January 31 - 9:10 pm

  I bought my Oldsmobile Intrigue used with 40,000 miles on it, It now has 120,000 miles, and still drives like new. The only major work that I had done on it was the replacement of the alternator at 100,000 miles. It has terrific acceleration, good handling, and good mileage for a full size car. Its problems include an engine that needs about 1.5 quarts of oil between changes (apparently according to GM this is normal for this engine), a fuel door that seldom opens by itself, and seats with little lumbar or side support.

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  Look elsewhere - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Christova - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I greatly regret my investment in a 2001 Bravada, especially after considering the horribly low resale value(I paid 34,000, worth less than 15,000 a mere two years later) and the terrible build quality. It is two years old but may as well be 10 the way it is falling apart. The Bose stereo is now useless as the door plastic rattles at higher bass like the speakers on a $10 walkman. I have had it in for service numerous times including problems that they just cannot fix. For instance, if you crank the wheel and back up, the truck grinds and grates and just today it did the same when I pulled forward and cranked the wheel.

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  My Olds Intrigue - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Denisechapman - January 31 - 2:00 am

  I put on a lot of miles each year and the Intrigue is smooth driving, comfortable and a GREAT sedan. Wonderful for the price.

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  2003s Still: "Good as Gold!" - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Bill Cuthbert - January 31 - 2:00 am

  Purchased Basically on Price, Dealer Knocked about $500.00 of Sticker Price @ Gen motors Was Offering a $3000.00 Cash Back. A Pretty Good Deal Id Say.

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  I love my Intrigue! - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By ashley17 - January 27 - 8:47 pm

  I received my Intrigue December of 2011 for a X-mas present. So far it has made it 138,410 miles, so all of you who think that high mileage is bad, its not it just depends on who is taking care of it. No problems except having to restore front lenses, and covering up a few dings. This car is fun and smooth, almost ;like riding on a cloud. So for all who are looking for a good starter car I reccomend this beautiful car.

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  It has gone the distance - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By driver777 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Ciera new. After logging 118,000 miles heres the maintenance record: Preventative maintenance: Serpentine belt replaced twice, 40K and 90K Replaced battery and alternator: 85K Replaced shocks, struts Corrective Maintenance: Replaced power window motor, drivers side. Head gasket replaced. Replaced radiator, hoses. Replaced water pump. Power steering assembly replaced due to leak. Ongoing problem: Fuel guage is inaccurate. 1/4 reading is an indicator that the tank is empty.

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  Do Not BUY THIS CAR! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By redlovely1 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  I was in love with my Alero when I first bought it. However, its safety rating dropped and my auto insurance increased. Also it has this annoying clicking noise behind the hazard switch that the dealerships could not fix while it was under warranty and I took it 3 times. They kept changing the hazard switch, but the clicking continued. This car had lots of power, but with high miles (mine had 77K) it is worth $1 and starts having problems other cars would have at 100K +. Brakes were an issue.

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  Great Little Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By JPitz - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this car with 43,000 miles on it and so far i love it. The turn signals dont work all the time unless they have been "warmed-up" and the two back speakers have been blown out but other than that it has been great. The placement of the cupholders is not the greatest but everything else inside the car is fine. Legroom in the backseat is standard for the midsize type of car but could be better for 6 foot adults. Great first car.