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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  Alero 2002 - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By spanish56 - November 7 - 10:33 am

  vehicle is a reliable, economical commuter car and made in the USA

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  What a Lemon - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By javascript - November 3 - 10:26 pm

  I have had this car for just over 3 years and its been the worst car Ive ever owned. Pretty much everything that can go wrong with a vehicle has gone wrong in this car. Its been a real money pit. I have owned a total of 3 cars in my entire life and this has been the worst by far. I actually feel guilty selling it because its such a lousy vehicle.

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  Like a Timex, It Keeps on Ticking - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By its paif for - November 3 - 6:16 pm

  Yes, this car is boring. But it is reliable, and no matter how I treat it, she just wont give up the ghost. The wife wont let me get something else until this thing dies, so it might be a while. Ive got 167,000 miles on her and it still doesnt burn a drop of oil. It has some rust, but for a work car it is perfect. We even take this thing and leave the van at home to keep the miles off the good vehicle. I dont get the gas mileage that others claim though.

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  Over 220,000 and still running strong - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Curt - November 2 - 3:06 pm

  I brought this car in 04 used with only 30,000 miles. Now its 2010 with 220,458 and still running. Just minor repairs (oil change, minor tune-up, brakes & tires). Im still shocked over how reliable this car is.

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  Oldsmobile Intrigue - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By deemon - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This car has 44,000 miles and no problems. Handles like an import and looks great.

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  If you own it sell it - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By nobehappy - October 31 - 12:53 pm

  Good looking with lots of features. But way too many mechanical problems. Heated seats went right after the warranty. The gasket problems cost a fortune to fix and occur over and over. The transmission gave out at 110k miles. Towed to Olds dealer. They quoted $3,400 for them to fix and another $625 for other problems they found on the diagnostics tests. It is going to the junk yard as it is not worth fixing. I really regret buying this thing...just shows how far they are behind in matching the higher- quality build of Hondas and Toyotas. It is no wonder GM has problems getting people to want to buy their vehicles and trust them after experiences like this.

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  Pre-Owned Alero review - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By whs03 - October 19 - 4:50 am

  Since the day I bought this car it has been nothing but wonderful, of course you get the pre-owned quirks but all that aside, I love the accessory of being told when one of my tires are low, and being able to choose between playing a cd or a cassette tape in my car. I believe I made a great decision on my first purchase of a pre-owned but still feels new Alero.

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  Underrated car/excellent used bargain... - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By hammen2 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Used-car sleeper. Very distinctive (few on the road; bargain on the used market due to death of Olds). Similar to $50k Caddy STS; mine stickered over $40k, but I got it used w/27k miles for $17k). Styling? love it or hate it (I LOVE it). Base is loaded, few options. Mechanically, hit-or-miss (GM build quality issues). Mine, other than water pump, has been mechanically solid (was for the 1st owner - check maintenance history!). Lots of technology - a third-party extended warranty is recommended.

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  fun to drive, when its not in the shop - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By buzzard4 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  I have a 99 GLS with the 3.5L V6. It handles well, and jumps from 55 to 85 very (too) easily. My biggest complaint is quality of the components. Ive had nagging minor problems (door trim, uneven fit in interior), more serious mechanical defects (warping brake rotors, crank shaft sensor), and major mechanical breakdowns (power steering went out, rack replaced 3 times). Without those issues, Id love the car.

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  The best unknown midsize sedan - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Oldsman01 - October 18 - 2:00 am

  After 8 months and 12,000 miles of ownership, I would still have a difficult time finding a comparable replacement for the Intrigue. Great looks, responsive handling, well equipped, and a 5 yeay/60K warranty; what else would you want in a midsize sedan?