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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  It Only It Had Been Called A Cutlass. . - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By OldsSince76 - December 24 - 2:00 am

  So when we walked away from the alleged Cutlass in 1998, the dealer guided us towards the Intrigue. "Youll love it," he said, and he was right. Almost six years later, with minimal maintenance (read: normal) required, I have to ask the question: if this had been named the Cutlass, and was available in a coupe, youd still be seeing the Oldsmobile brand under the GM umbrella. This car is every bit as fun to drive now as it was new, and I truly wish GM would have realized what a tremendous opportunity it had with this car.

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  N~I~C~E - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Erin_Nicole - December 23 - 10:00 am

  great car. Good for a first car. I love it!! You should buy it!

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  Perfect all around! - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By rjs200240 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is great. Beautiful engine with an alluring purr. The exterior is clean and attractive and a little bit mysterious. The interior is as attractive as they come, especially for the price. Plenty of luxury features like 12-way seats, rain-sensing wipers, stability control, and a smooth, sonorous V8. The Indy Racing League heritage is something to be proud of too. 49 wins in 51 races over 5 years.

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  Happy to Own One - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Gonzalez - December 15 - 9:13 pm

  I purchased this car used in 2004, and have put on 100K miles on it. It now has 155K and runs great. I give it a tune-up every year and regular oil changes, other than that no other maintenance. I am very happy with the vehicle, but disappointed that there are no newer Oldsmobiles to replace my current one. Still looks new.

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  Roomy Coupe - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Dave M. - December 11 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my used 1994 Cutlass Supreme Coupe as a replacement for a 1987 Buick Park Avenue. I was looking for a roomy car but I felt cramped in most of the cars that I test drove. I was surprised at the room in the Cuttlass! At 6 6" I need loads of head, leg, and shoulder room. The Coupe fits the bill. The trunk space is wonderful, too. The Mrs. and I are very happy about this new-to-us car.

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  I like my Olds - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By edin77 - December 4 - 8:06 pm

  I bought my Alero with 143 000 miles. It has been fairly abused and I bought it very cheap. After I washed it, changed oil and filter, replaced power steering pump(reason for sale), cleaned interior, and replaced thermostat and antifreeze among with spark plugs this car runs awesome. It has quite a bit of miles on it, but the 3.4l engine seems to perform very well. I like the fact that is fully loaded. Everything works electrically, and I like the fact that parts are very cheap. Brake pads online run for about $20, for example. Also, I think that this car will run for another 100,000 miles. No signs of giving up. Transmission runs very smooth. I think this might be one of the better GM cars. Thanks

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  GM wrong,shouldve added this to Buick - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By mmtphoto - November 25 - 10:36 pm

  I have owned probably 36-40 cars, and this is without a doubt the nicest, smoothest, quietest and prettiest car I have ever owned. So far it has been pretty dependable, and the aluminum hood and trunk lid are pretty trick. I enjoy the heated seats, the great radio/cd player with the 12 disk changer in the trunk, the climate control, steering wheel controls, and beautiful interior and exterior. It has a sunroof, and intelligent wipers, and the aluminum 4 cam engine and trans are quiet and smooth. I do my own repairs-this car is a little complicated, but so far I have been able to solve the somewhat minor problems without any drama. Nicer than a Caddy, Jag, Acura, BMW in my opinion.

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  NOTHIN BUT THE BEST - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By CHILL - November 21 - 1:03 am

  AS A CURRENT OWNER(WIFE PRIMARY DRIVER) AND SALES CONSULTANT, WE DID CONSIDER A NUMBER OF VEHICLES! THE 5/60 DID PERSUAY MY WIFE AND I & THE NO INTEREST/NO PAYMENTS FOR A YEAR WAS A BIG PLUS!! HONESTLY THERE IS NOTHING OUT IN THE MARKET THAT COMES CLOSE TO THIS PRODUCT. THE BRAKING AND HANDLING IS EXCEPTIONAL AND OVER ALL CREATURE FEATURES ARE GREAT. EXCELLENT TURNING RADIUS. FORD OR DODGE PRODUCTS, SORRY THERE IS NO COMPARISON. SUGGESTION FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS NOT TO EXCITED ABOUT THE PRODUCT ,WHY DID YOU BUY? BEATS ANYTHING ON THE MARKET. WE ALSO HAVE A INDIGO BLUE,BUT HAVE NOT SEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE PAINT, ALSO THE 2ND BRAVADA THE DEALERSHIP RECEIVED IN JAN OF 2001.

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  Iowa Farm Van - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By J SAYERS - November 18 - 10:00 am

  We are looking to trade our 1999 Silhouette only because it has such high miles (96,000) - but want to trade it for a new Silhouette. This van has been dependable and economical. The only major repairs were the CD player a couple years ago ($500 to fix) and just this month the automtic traction control board (a $900 repair bill). We live in the country so this van spends a lot of time going to town and back. Also my wife travles 40 miles to work and back each day. The rear CD/headset controls have helped us keep peace with the kids on long trips. I am only sorry that when our new Silouette wears out, they wont be making them anymore :(.

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  my alero - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By cmf0074 - November 18 - 10:00 am

  i love my new alero. i have alway drove imports and this is my 1st american made vehicle. i would say that it is as good if not better than any import on the road!!!!