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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  loved it - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By brendapriebe - August 31 - 10:00 am

  The Oldsmobile Alero is a fun car to drive. It "fits" my style...the stereo is set at an angle so tuning in is easy. I feel safe in my car, its a sturdy vehicle but as stylish as a European import.

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  Best for the Money - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Buffalo Town - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a beautifully designed sweet running car. Sure I might like some more Hot Rod Power with a heavy foot on the highway but Im not willing to give up the nice mileage to get it. Well over a year now and not the first problem. Great sound system, great comfort, nice leather, feels good to drive and you and the wife can each have one for the cost of a small BMW that really is no better and certainly doesnt have a five year warranty.

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  Nice car for the $$$ - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By oleo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used and the price was easy on the wallet for what i got its a good buy.

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  Great car to own - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By LMiller - August 26 - 10:00 am

  We drove our 1998 from PA to Oklahoma. Not one problem with the car. Great riding.

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  why is this going? - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Bishop - August 23 - 6:00 am

  The car is great fun on the road. It has plenty of passing power and great acceleration. The seat are comfortable and the interior is well designed. I have not been driving very long (only 16), but when I am in the car on my way to school or out with friends, it is a great car, there is nothing "wrong" with it. If you need a big sedan, but want to fun car also, than this car deserves a test drive.

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  great car for my family - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By alleng - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I have really enjoyed this car. Has performed well for what I needed. If you are a traveler, probably not the best option, but does well for teenagers and small families. Ive had one brake problem. No other major issues. Gas milleage is great!

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  Not a bad car, Not great either - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By 123 - August 17 - 8:36 am

  I have had this car for about 4 years. Bought the car used with 40k on it and now it is up to 100k. Have not had any major problems with it until now. The ball joints need to be replaced and the mechanic I took it to wants to replace all the seals and steering rods in the front with the ball joints. Other than that only small things have gone wrong with it. The fuel gauge broke and I replaced it and then it broke again so I just go by the mileage now. The car gets horrible gas mileage, An average of 12 to 15 mpg.

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  2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By P. Carey - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I have experience no problems with this van. It is a fun and enjoyable to drive. The interiors is clean and neat design, with lots of room for all.

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  new car smell still - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jaystl420 - August 10 - 2:40 pm

  my car has 153xxx miles and still has the new car smell still !!.i I love this car had one owner and runs,drives,looks, and rides new still.And at $1,800 I got a steal never been smoked in and all highway miles.Only problems are back windows wont go down all the way(window regular $45 apiece)and get stuck and check engine light on code 0410 needs new secondare air pump.This car runs and handles like a box style z28 camaro, rides like a european car, quality of a honda or toyota, looks of a sports car, and interior hints of a caddy and lexus.This car was made to fight imports and olds was low on sales,and so they made this car to help turn around olds.So it was built to last.

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  Problems - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By CathyC - August 3 - 10:00 am

  We have had several problems. The biggest one being the Transfer Case, which the dealer will not replace. Now at 17,000 miles we are replacing oil coller adapter seal, transfer case seal, and 1st differencial pin seal. I love the looks of this car, but Im really sorry I bought it now and will probably get rid of it soon.