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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  Long lasting car and still looks good. - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Mark Glanemann - January 8 - 10:06 am

  I bought this car new. The first month I had it the transmission messed up but a new one was put in. Factory defect. 160,000 miles later the tranny went out. Just had a new one put in and shifts like when I first bought it. That is the only major problem I had but that is normal wear and tear. I bought the car when I was 21 so of course I drove like a fool and beat it up a little. But 9 years later I still have the car and it runs great. It does burn some oil if I go on long trips. I think I can make this car last 200k+ and from other reviews it looks like these cars can last that longer then that and then some. Have some rust forming on the bottom doors, but can live with that.

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  alero - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By darla l pierce - January 3 - 10:00 am

  i drive 60 miles round trip to work five days a week and have never had any trouble except for a flat tire, its a great vehicle but i need to get another car because of the amout of miles i have put on it, i would recommend this car to anyone, it gets at least 30 miles to the gallon and rides great, i love this car and hate to think of getting a new one but i know that i need to. its just the right size for me (one passenger usually) but its also great for the family, there are 4 of us.

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  Best Rounded Luxo SUV - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By cmack4 - December 24 - 10:10 pm

  I did a full round search of all of the brands, and surprisingly enough the Olds was the most appealing in nearly every category. It had the most powerful powertrain of any vehicle in its class, including the V8s, not to mention the better gas mileage of an inline 6. Ride quality is superb on the air-ride rear suspension and Bilstein Shocks. The leather seating is superb, and yes even compared to its foreign counterparts.

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  11yrs old and still going great - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By bradleys - December 17 - 4:19 pm

  118,000 miles and still a nice truck to own. For me this one was the best. Previously owned a 1999 & 1992 as well.

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  Cutty - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Mani - December 7 - 1:30 am

  Intake manifold went twice, like everyone else on here $600 the first time and $500 the second time. Alternator, battery because of alternator, rotors and pads, more times than I can count, front end axle, water pump twice. Computer system is a mess, recalled, but didnt bother wasting my time getting it. No wonder they stopped making this car.

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  a lot of recalls - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By rdaaj - December 6 - 10:00 am

  the car has alot of recalls and alot of prolems like shutteing and door paneling on the interior rubber and noise through the side driver door never gone away even after being repaired and the tranmission stuck and wont shift bravada 2002 awheel dr goodman is a great place excellent service free car rentals all the time great dealer ship thank you

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  One of the Best Cars I Have Owned! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By mother48433 - November 19 - 4:20 am

  This car gets good gas mileage and responds quickly when accelerating, which makes it fun to drive. It has never failed to start and is very dependable.

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  Familiarity...ouch. - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Divad - November 13 - 6:26 pm

  Great acceleration. Its so quiet that I forget if its even on when Im parked. But, as someone has said before me, the ABS, power steering and shock system all have problems. A lot of knocking around and a very stiff drive. I took mine in to get it inspected, and it passed with flying colors, but I still have problems with the suspension and a horrible wobbling with the ABS. Also, the power steering somehow affects the drivability and acceleration around corners-in a bad way.

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  Sharp looking, satisfying - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Darrell Tope - November 6 - 11:03 pm

  I enjoy the look, comfort , performance and reliability of my Aurora. Combined city-highway driving average is about 23 mpg at speed limits. Handles moderate bumps a little stiff (like all three of the Oldsmobiles I have owned). I was expecting a little sportier ride (handling in the curves), but overall I am very satisfied with my Aurora. I wished GM had not discontinued them.

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  I think my alero is a great car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By halpain - November 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had my alero for years now it was mine to begin with now its my sisters and she is enjoying it as much as i did it runs great....we go out of town alot and i know my alero isnt going to leave me stranded i love it and i recommend it to anyone