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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  Like a champ - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By champ - April 6 - 8:30 pm

  Ive treated this car like absolute garbage since I bought it at 40,000 miles, all Ive done is a 5000 mile oil change and change the tires. Some cheap parts on the interior and the passenger side window doesnt work all the time when it gets hot, other than that, I need to give a tune-up soon so it wil go another 108,000 miles

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  Still Satisfied - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By wigz - March 30 - 2:03 pm

  Nearly 72 months now as original owner. The Intrigue GL still delivers on all expectations. The intermediate steering shaft needs lubrication for the first time but its not a critical maintenance issue. Most GM W-Body cars need that $100 dealer service only once in 100,000 miles. Other than that no unscheduled services required. 90 percent of my driving is in the city and the car averages 19 miles-per-gallon. All-in-all its been a pretty darn nice car!

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  Love My Bravada - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By JayKay - March 28 - 6:50 pm

  I purchased my 2004 Bravada after riding in a friends Bravada. I was impressed enough with the comfortable ride that I had to get one of the last Bravadas made. Even with gas prices at $4.00 - I wont give up the luxury of the Olds Bravada.

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  Former Toyota Owner - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By S. Racer - March 11 - 1:33 am

  My first car ever was a 72 Nova SS. The mechanic saw this car more than I did. This experience made me vow to never own an American car. Ive owned 4 Toyotas, including an MR2 (best car Ive ever had). When the Alero came out, I had to go back on my vow. I currently am driving a slick looking black V-6 coupe. Only major problem Ive had was a power steering leak. Besides this, my Aleros quality build has been much better than what I expected. The power under the hood is scary (Im thinking about getting a radar detector). Seating is good in the front AND the back. The styling is terrific! Beware: This car drinks gas like crazy. Besides this, its a very fun & cool car to drive.

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  I agree - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By chairmanfat - March 9 - 4:56 am

  All the same problems: brake rotors that are worthless, a recall on the turn signal problem, and a rapid depreciation but I like the car. Weird. When I think of the crap I could have bought for same money ( I went in with a budget and stuck to it) I really like the car. I wont buy from GM again though. The last American car I owned was in 1984. There just isnt any excuse for the problems they have with this car. They must do it on purpose, seriously. They cant be this stupid.

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  1999 Cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Josh L - March 5 - 12:33 pm

  The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a pretty good vehicle. It offers up respectable comfort, looks nice and is fun to drive. 0 to 60 time is about 8 seconds, not to great but will do for 150 hp. Overall I enjoy the car.

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  Nice Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By lbsorensen - February 28 - 6:10 am

  I bought this car 6 years ago. The kids were much smaller then. Now that they are leggy teens, the back seat is small for 3 of them. But I find that the car is a great family vehicle. nice body style, and fairly peppy.

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  A Good Family Sedan - 1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By lovdmc12 - February 21 - 9:43 pm

  I bought this car as a daily driver when my Aurora started having major problems. It is a solid family sedan with good accelartion and gas mileage. The fit and finish are excellent, and the car has proven to be very reliable with over 101000 miles at the time of purchase. I lament the death of Oldsmobile as these fine cars were some of the best to come out of GM in recent years.

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  solid - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By vinmore - February 15 - 10:00 am

  very easy to drive. zero problems.

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  Underated - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By jhenderson - February 10 - 10:00 am

  I believe this car was as good a car built in its class in 1999. The extras are still comparable with any my friends high dollar imports. Only issues are head room and trunck space.