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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  Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By gudnason100 - September 9 - 4:34 am

  I bought my Intrigue in 2003 off lease with 60000Km (36000 mi) it now has 306,000 km and still running great. Everything still works power windows, sun roof, heated seats, power seat and leather seats still good. Rebuilt transmission last year which only cost me $2200, fuel sensor problem is caused by additive in certain gas. Use Shell and you will never have an issue. Replaced flywheel about 5 years ago with a used one. Lots of available used parts from wrecking yards which keep the cost of repair down because GM does not product a lot of parts for the Olds anymore. Northstar engine is still very strong, no rust although I do undercoat it annually.

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  Oldsmobile in the USA - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By michael R. - September 8 - 10:00 am

  never a problem with over 120k just general fluid changes and light maintenance. Who says general motors cantt build. The ride and quality of the oldsmobile intrigue rivals the japan and european sedans. The oldsmobile intrigue one really good car.I have owned the rivals too.

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  Intrigues are the worst cars ever BUILT - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Neece - September 8 - 10:00 am

  From a mechanic stand point, something is always wrong with these cars intrigues they are constantly braking down, and in need of repairs. Not minor repairs either, things like, front rods, transmisson work, bad rotors and brakes, rack and pinion, and catilictic converter,badly spelled, but you should know the part, and also o2 censes. Oldsmobile intrigues have a great deal of mechanical problems, and in my opinion they are badly built cars.

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  No Luck - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By bh_okedoke - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 98 Aurora for the 01 model. In the last 10 months, the following replacements (all under warranty) - Steering column, power steering pump, ignition switch, ABS control module, transmission overhaul, and as of this weekend, the alternator. Mind you, this car has under 31K miles... I think I got the car built on Monday morning!

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  nice car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By joeinseattle - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Bought car at 15000: now have 41000. car is much better than Olds dealers. Had dealer network been more customer oriented GM might still be making Olds.

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  Not too many problems... - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mynameisalreadyinuse - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I havent really had too many problems. In fact, the only ones Ive had were minor. I did have one that upset me, though. Both of my fog lights shattered and I needed to buy new ones. Other than that, my car still looks new and runs great (for having 50k miles on it)!

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  Best Luxury SUV Ever - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By L. De Concillis - September 6 - 10:00 am

  We bought our 04 Bravada new in 2004 for approx. $37,000. We test drove many vehicles such as the Lincoln Navigator, Cadillac Escalade, BMW x5, and Acura MDX. This car blew the competition away; The Bravada is quiet and has a very smooth ride, power folding mirrors, DVD player, voice activated everything, and just looks like a luxury vehicle. It is such a shame that GM no longer makes the Oldsmobile division anymore, however, I highly recommend the Bravada to anyone looking for a mid-size luxury SUV.

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  Should have researched better! - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Scott - September 3 - 3:13 pm

  I bought this thing from a small dealer, mistake #1. Since I have bought it, I have put roughly 15,000 miles on it in almost 20 months. I have had to replace a CO2 pump, oil cooling lines, and both front brake rotors and both front wheel bearings. The check engine light has been on more than I can count. There is a lesson to be learned from buying a vehicle that manufacturer has gone out of business...Dont!

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  Pretty Good - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Paul - August 31 - 10:00 am

  Overall, I am very happy with the car. However, I would like more power and better build quality. A 5-speed would be nice too.

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  I love my Intrigue - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Abner - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my Intrigue!!! It runs great, looks great, and is even more fun to drive. The gas mileage could be better, but the pros of this car far outway the cons.