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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  Ten and I still love her! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Lyn - August 17 - 4:13 pm

  She has almost 160,000 on her, a few little patches of rust, have had to replace 2 sensors, and have had a few problems..her interior is getting worn, right blinker stops working when ya slam the hood too hard.....but this little car can still go from 0 to 60 in seconds! Everyone laughs until they drive her. I love this car, its been faithful, best I have ever owned...and still driving it 9 years later!

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  The "Trigue is the Greatest! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By bayview6 - August 15 - 5:46 am

  Sure, Ive had to replace the crankcase sensor and a couple of front wheel hubs, but Ive really gotten my moneys worth from my Intrigue. Now at 100K miles (bought new) and that includes plenty of severe service of driving for less than 1 mile, the car drives "almost" like new. Will change the spark plugs for the first time in a few weeks. I have maintained the vehicle reasonably well, probably better than most people. Plan on keeping it for several more years since its fuel economy is outstanding given its performance, everything on the car works, and its body styling only gets better with age. Im very glad I bought it.

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  Long live the 88 - 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By jks - August 8 - 5:13 am

  I bought this car with 160,000 miles on it, it now has 190,000 and is still going strong. It leaks a little oil but burns none. I have never have to add any between oil changes (3,000mi.). It is very quick for a big car with a V6 engnie. It has a very comfortable ride. Its body roll is a bit much in a hard corner but then its not a sports car. It has been very reliable.

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  Long term owner / teen driven - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Dean - August 3 - 6:50 pm

  This car was bought for my carpool use. I put 60K miles on it in 3 years, mostly highway. Typical hwy 29 mpg (4 cyl) typical city 21-24 mpg. At 64K miles I turned it over to my then teenage druggie Daughter who thrashed it and abused it with her druggie friends for 4 more years. It became a transportation car and lets go to a rave car. I was overseas. The car was trashed. Now she is grownup and wised up and is fine. Car has 146K miles on it and the only thing that has gone wrong is the manual remote drivers mirror cable broke and the ignition switch broke. Other than that, just the usual brake work, fluid changes, (inc auto trans) and tires. Daughter is still driving it.

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  Fabulous car! - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By scrick - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Best car we have ever had! Plenty of interior room, plenty of power, ultra smooth ride.

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  Domestic Sleeper - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By D Mac - July 30 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I bought the GLS 4 dr sedan w/ all options and the car is awesome. We have found the domestic sleeper to foreign competitors. Handles like a 4 dr sports car w/ luxury amenities. Although car hasnt been broken in yet

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  Exceeded my expectations - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By greggerm - July 26 - 2:00 am

  At 120,000 miles, this car has exceeded my expectations. Its comfortable, smooth, and versatile. I have had very few problems (brakes and alternators). I drive mainly the highway and the car has always been smooth and quiet. I am surprised at how pleased the 1998 owners are vs. the 2001 owners. Why? Seems like 1998 owners should be experiencing more problems, but they reviews do not reflect that.

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  great family van with room for all - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Neyney - July 26 - 2:00 am

  really nice van that has a good feel when your behind the wheel. very comfortable

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  Cute and Peppy! - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Nikkkii - July 26 - 2:00 am

  The Alero is just cute cute cute! Love the sporty exterior (mine has a spoiler) and the euorpean styling. Ive always driven Toyota/Nissan sports cars and this is my first American choice. I love the appearance, handling and that it doesnt demand as much attention as my past cars which Ive worried would be stolen. Peppy little car that hugs corners well, what more can you want?

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  Subtle Elegance - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By John Klika - July 24 - 10:00 am

  I have had the vehicle for just over a year now and it has performed perfectly from day one. I traded another 2001 GM vehicle for the Aurora because the Regal had a driver seat with zero comfort. The Aurora seat with its lumbar support has provided super comfort on my 60 mile drive to work. Also, who can complain of the 26 mpg hwy. fuel mileage that I am getting? I have grown to really look forward to every day when I can drive the car.