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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  The Best Car I have owned! - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By mdc - August 27 - 3:23 am

  It is so depressing to know that you cannot replace this car with a newer model. I have been researching to purchase a new car, with lots of disappointments.

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  Great Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Anthony - August 26 - 2:23 pm

  I have owned my intrigue for six years and it still looks and drives great. I love this car. It may be nine years old but I think it still is one of the best looking cars on the road. Problems include drivers side window cable became inoperable, decided not to spend $500 to have it repaired. Had the steering column greased, replaced fuel regulator and an oxygen sensor. The interior is well designed and the seats are very comfortable. Great pickup and it still turns heads. I have seen dealers in my area selling intrigues that have 200,000 miles on them. The engine speaks for itself. My only complaint is that GM decided to discontinue the Olds.

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  Inexpensive and Pleasing - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Foxy - August 20 - 10:33 am

  The standard 2.2 L engine in the Alero has a bit of torque and is peppy and fun to drive. The Alero coupes appearance is classy, yet sporty enough to be an attractive car. Ive owned my Alero for three years, and while its not an envy-worthy car, I get great gas mileage, and its been VERY inexpensive to maintain. I have had ZERO major problems with my car. Ive only had to repair the lifter on the automatic window. Probably my fault it broke. I paid $10K for my car when it was a year old, and my payments are very low. Id recommend the Alero for anyone (like me) whos fresh out of college, has a limited budget, and needs NICE, affordable transportation.

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  Love my Bravada - 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Fred G. - August 17 - 10:06 am

  Purchased this vehicle new in 1998 and every year after it was rated worse and worse. Over the 7 years Ive had this car it has consistently performed flawlessly. Ive never had any problem. Its been a very versatile vehicle which I would highly recommend. Oh yeah, the traction system is great in ice, snow, and rain.

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  Oldsmobile Intrigue - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Glen - August 16 - 8:56 pm

  I bought my Oldsmobile Intrigue new and have been delighted ever since. I have not had to make any repairs to it outside of normal wear and tear. It has outstanding handling and good braking. It gets good gas mileage. Unfortunately, the seats can get a little uncomfortable over long trips. Also, I have experienced some annoying trim problems. Still, I was sorry to see the Oldsmobile brand eliminated.

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  I love my Olds! - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By phewop - August 6 - 12:06 pm

  I have liked Intrigues ever since I heard about them. I rode in one a few years ago and knew that I would get one as my first car. Even though Im only 18, I think this is one of the best cars out there. Its fast, yet relaxing when cruising, comfortable (heated seats!!), its got a good Bose sound system, and it handles well. Thus far, its been good in the reliability area. I got it with 43,000 miles on it; now I have 59,000 miles.

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  I Love My Cutlass... This makes my 4th - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Marika - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I love the way it feels to sit in the soft leather and have everything at your fingertips. also the fold down rear seat and massive trunk space is very adequate for making this vehicle a very loud audio machine. Thanks to all who have helped design and produce these over the years. I have owned 4 and think that i will never get rid of my 94. ive had a 72 cutlass s, a 79 cutlass supreme and a 83 cutlass supreme brougham. what a wonderfull car. i believe that if there ever was a person who could define loyalty... your lookin them in the face... cya

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  Sporty, sporty, sporty - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Monet - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It knocks the Honda Civic, which was my last car, right out of the running. The spacious interior, the cocpit feeling drivers quarters, and convenient placement of the ac/cd/radio is great.

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  1998- 88 Oldsmobile reliabiliy. - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By Richard C. Schaeffer - July 14 - 2:30 am

  The 1998 Oldsmobile 88 is the most reliable automobile my wife and I have owned in the past fifty years. It has retained its clear coat paint finish without being housed in a garage.

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  2000 Olds Silouhette - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Scott Foster - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This van is fun to drive, highly reliable, great on gas! We regularly get 25+ mpg on the highway! Buy one, youll love it!