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 with 125,000 miles - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Ed - May 25 - 9:36 pm

  I bought my Oldsmobile Intrigue with 13,000 miles on it. It has over 125,000 on it now. I have had two problems with it. At 75,000 miles it needed a new A/C compressor and at 110,000 miles it needed a new water pump. It is almost all city miles. I have been very happy with it. Before this I owned a Dodge. It was in the shop all the time. This car goes in once a year for inspection and thats it.

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  Best Car! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BB - May 21 - 11:56 pm

  My 2000 Intrigue has 250K miles on it and the only issue Ive had is a hairline crack in the coolant tank and an axle that had to be replaced. As a single working mother of 4 kids this car has been a lifesaver. There is nothing worse than having an unreliable car. I am currently looking for the same year model car as a back up for this car. Im not sure how much longer it can go but it just keeps on going.

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  Its Been a Good Car! - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Guy - May 20 - 5:30 am

  After 10+ years of driving BMWs this car was a surprise. I didnt like driving it. The wife liked it, so we bought it. Six years later, I love it. It is rock solid, low maintenance, gets good gas mileage and is great to commute in.

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  Brilliant Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By JP - May 18 - 8:26 pm

  Ive owned the car since 2004 - I purchased it from CarMax with 24,000 miles on it and now have 60,000. Ive havent had single problem with the vehicle. Ive kept up with regular maintenance. Its been a remarkably safe, reliable, and strong vehicle. The exterior looks like new. I havent used it to tow anything, however, it has a strong engine that will move quickly at all speed ranges. Its great on snow and gravel roads. I havent taken it off road, but in 6 inch mud it crawls along fine. I wish Olds didnt fold - they are the highest quality GM make aside from Cadillac in my eyes.

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  Excellent!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By dlflyboy - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Bravada in Oct, 2002. Since, I have put 27,000 miles on it and the only problem Ive had is the inside of the drivers door was starting to pop out. Had it fixed. The only time Im in the service dept is when Im there for an oil change,tire rotation and scheduled tune ups. My Bravada is very quite. No loud engine noise with mine (not sure why some of the other reviewers have loud ones). Ive had suvs from German to Japanesse. Id rate this as one of the best suvs Ive owned.

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  Four Wheeled Hand Me Down - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Preston - May 11 - 1:36 am

  I got the car from my senior citizen parents. It has 36,000 miles on it. It is clean and good driving once in motion. It has a problem with not going into gear out of park when it is cool until the car is warmed up for at least five to eight minutes. No mater how hard I push that shift button, it wont budge. The dealer says "I dont know what it can be just bring it in. Right. But the car itself is very likable. It is bright and with good visibility. If it wasnt for the transmission problem (shifter), Id keep it over my 1995 Cougar, but one has to go and with 127,000 miles the Cougar still purrrs along so Intrigue while its otherwise a very pleasant car has to go.

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  Great car for the money! - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By lynziee - May 4 - 2:00 am

  210,000 miles and still going. This car just wont die. Ive put over 150,000 miles on this car myself and have never replaced more than the tires and oil filter. Granted, the turn signals and gas gage are no longer working. Almost every interior dash light is on, and the steering seems to be going out....the engine just keeps on running! I wrote this car off about 50,000 miles ago but nope, shes still kicking. Also, still gets aroun 28-30 miles to the gallon. Have to keep track by hand no so I dont run out out gas but hey, she doesnt owe me anything at this point.

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  It is a Great Vehicle - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By AMR - May 3 - 8:40 pm

  This vehicle has a very comfortable interior, an attractive exterior, and a powerful DOHC V6 engine. I picked it because of the refinement and build quality that was apparent in my vehicle while it was on the dealer lot. Have had no problems so far!

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  Great car - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By The Baron - May 2 - 6:03 am

  I just recently purchased this car, and, I love it. I have never owned a car this new before, but, I love the new car feel. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for an inexpensive alternative to higher priced and highly overrated Import cars.

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  A great surprise - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By pshaulk - April 26 - 3:53 am

  Im finding out what a great car I bought in my 2004 Oldsmobile Alero GL1! Its champagne, with "oak" interior. I love the power seats and comfort, plus the satilite radio. I enjoy having a classy little car without it costing more than my first home.