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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  College Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Starrz - April 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Alero brand new (7 miles) and Ive had a great experience with it. I havent had any major mechanical problems with it and its still running strong. It has adequate power along with good gas mileage. Id recommend this car to anyone looking for a reliable car.

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  Cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By alexar7 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I have a 99 cutlass GL. I use it mainly for work. I have 47,000 miles on her and she runs great. Other than standard maintenence, (oil, lube, filter) she has had no down time. too bad 99 was the last year for the car.

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  Great car with bad windows - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By FOX72 - April 22 - 12:23 pm

  Bought the car used in 2008 with 78K on it already. Replaced the tires immediately and its the smoothest ride I have ever owned. The engine is solid. After a year of use (7 year old car) three out of four windows stopped working. I took the door panels off to check it out and found that the plastic pieces on the window motor had cracked and the cables were getting jammed up in the motor. Now at 110K, the AC just went out. Nice car, may need some repairs to keep it comfortable.

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  I love this car! its sporty,and with the 2.4L do, - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Larry Keyes - April 21 - 1:47 pm

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  Basic GM Econo-box - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Jeff - April 7 - 1:10 pm

  I purchased this car in 2005 with about 20,000 miles on it. It was an ex-rental from California. I now have have about 63,250 miles on it and it has/had some problems. The passlock had to be replaced ($460), the suspension starts squeaking annually and I have to take it to the dealer to get it lubricated, and the CD player only takes CDs when it wants to. The 3.4L V6 is nothing to write home about either at 170HP. Based from what Ive read, Ive been lucky with this car. My dashboard hasnt started peeling and I havent had to replace any pumps or bearings. Although functional, the interior seems cheesy. Also, this car cant handle in the snow. The rear end gives out even with good tires.

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  Not a Toyota, But not Bad - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By bbcro - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Initially disappointed w/interior build quality and materials. Things fell off and we didnt know where they came from (read, VERY plastic interior). Radio has been replaced 3 times, right door speaker twice, driver side seat heater twice, and rear window washer has failed so many times I gave up on it. But... the dealer was terrific (Bush Olds/GMC, Lenoir NC) always ready with a loaner and would pick up/drop off if necessary. Last van was Previa, better overall quality, but Olds is much more car-like and cheaper to repair.

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  great suv - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By 3driver - March 11 - 10:00 am

  A great truck, fun to drive, had some little things that needed repared.

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  1999 - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By KatyHorn - February 25 - 10:00 am

  This van is the sharpest looking van on the road. Only compaliants are poor location of front drink holders and the fact that we have had to replace battery twice in less than 4 years.

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  My Cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By handyrack - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Very comfortable ride. Took it on 2 road trips within 2 wks after buying it. Went to Chicago, St. Paul, and back home just last yr. (2003)

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  Unlikely to Recommend - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Lucky - February 14 - 2:03 am

  I have a 2004 Alero v6 4 door. Let me put it this way, I have had the car for 6 years and there is a new problem every time I turn around. I have had the brakes and rotors replaced 3 times. The wiring harness behind the steering wheel was replaced once and needs to be replaced again. This car is a magnet for old people to hit. Now my car wont start. This has to be the worst car I have had. General maintenance isnt doing anything for this car.