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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  Good, could be better - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Matt - January 10 - 3:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for a year now and I like it, a lot! The truck rides very nice and handles well, the interior fit and finish is typical GM business, bad. Doors squeak over rough pavement. I really like the front seats, extremely comfy. Power is decent and I average 18 mpg in town. The transmission shifts smoothly. So far I have 102000 miles on it and I love the way it feels. Not as off road ready as I like, and interior quality is poor, but overall, very good buy. You wont be dissappointed.

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  Intrigue 3.8 6 cylinder - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Blondie - January 7 - 1:46 pm

  Still driving her after 7 yrs, I bought her with 33,000 miles and she is still running after 137,000. I give her regular oil changes, & normal wear & tear, brakes, rotors, & struts. When she reached 120,000 after her tune up she started to need a little more work done. In the past year Ive replaced the fuel filter, oil pan, battery, both (R)and(L) cv joints. Which I didnt need to replace. I had a clicking noise when I would turned (R) only, so after the 5 mechanic it ended up being my starter, the spring in the starter wasnt sitting right so every time I turned (R) it would hit the fly wheel. I just did my own brakes & rotors this time. So shes ready to go for another 100,000.

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  Timely Demise - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Moe - December 26 - 11:03 am

  The van is now showing its age with having to replace the front wheel hub assemblies on both sides (very expensive). The wiring to the hubs has corroded and therefore had to be replaced (costly). The interior is flooding due to improper drainage of condensation of the A/C unit. The power of the engine is very limited compared to the imports. Have also had to replace the rear wiper motor, contacts to the power sliding doors, rear window motors. The headlight assemblies both leak considerably, causing the halogen lamps to need replacing more than necessary.

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  99 Trouble~ - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By 99Trouble - December 26 - 12:53 am

  I also had trouble with the AWD chatter..fortunately the dealer replaced the fluid for free (KMX). The brakes and rotors wore prematurely and the shocks are inadequate. Very comfortable inside though. Tows my boat nicely. Would like to see Big Threes quality improve. Next SUV will be a QX4...Ive learned my lesson!

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  Awesome first Car - 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By mancheskia - December 21 - 2:41 pm

  This was my first car that I owned when I got my license. Gas mileage was great 28 mpg hwy with a V6 and about 16 city for a 1996 I would consider that very good especially since car these day arent getting much better mileage if they are at all better in the same class. Car was very comfortable and reliability wasnt much of an issue until I had about 200,000 miles on the car.

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  so so - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Rylee - December 4 - 10:00 am

  I have wo main issues with this Bravada: 1)The turning radius is quite large for a smaller suv. Dont like it. 2) The exterior desiegn with all the molded rounded corners make washing it difficult. It is always a 2 time wash over. On the flip side, the interior is very comfortable, easy to reach for us shorter people and has a good sound system. Wish resale was better!! need to sell and hard to a find buyer, and trade in is terrible.

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  "Braken In My Alero" - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By joanbrad016 - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for a full year now. Strong points include powerful acceleration, great handling, attractive looks, and an overall fun to drive machine. In general, I have found that GM struggles with brakes,and this car is no exception. The rotors first warped at 9K, again ready to be re-surfaced at 18K. This annoyance is offset by a great package, otherwise.

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  Put the brakes on... - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Andrea Nel - November 13 - 3:56 am

  Fun car to drive, stylish, roomy in the front, and love the air flowing to the back seat and removable ash tray that turns into a cup holder. This car was so close to my dream car until the mechanical problems started. Replaced brake rotors twice, water pump, and now am experiencing problems with the fan and the annoying blinker switch noise (anyone who has one knows what Im talking about), problems with starting the car due to a electrical problem all before 75,000. My extended warranty ends at 85,000, and Im sure Ill make use of it. Not the most mechanically dependable car I ever owned. Very nickle and dime on the mechanics...

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  cars - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By rbp - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I like the car alot, I have rented it a few times and always try and request it again at times i cant get it--i wonder y. I have had the Grand Am and the Malibu,. I like the Alero alot better

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  My experience with the Olds Intrigue - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By redly1 - November 2 - 10:00 am

  THE GOOD: This car has excellent bang for the buck. Esp. the GX model, which can be had for pennies. Even as the base model, you get a plenty of options. Mine has a moonroof, keyless entry, power seat, and that beautiful 3.5L DOHC. This car was made for the interstate. Passing is not only acceptable, but enjoyable. The instrument panel is attractive and gives a good amount of vitals about the car. Seats are comfortable yet supportive. Handling is great THE BAD Fit and finish could have been better (crooked panels, interior and exterior) Brakes need to be replaced prematurely (damn GM accountants) minor annoying glitches like headlight flicker and intermittent power windows.