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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  Id Recommend This Car To A Friend - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By bluehen900 - April 7 - 2:00 am

  I compared the Aurora to the Lincoln LS, Toyota Avalon and Chrystler 300M. I found the Aurora to be far superior. The performance has been excellent and nothing has disappointed me. The options are great, from the dual heated power front seats to the rain-sensing wipers. An excellent value with option only found in much more expensive vehicles. Only dislike is the view of the headlights...looks too much like the Olds Intrigue. I would and have recommended this car to friends.

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  my 88 - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By daddy weber - April 5 - 11:40 am

  i got a 88 about a year ago for 1,799and it runs like a champ only put like 600 into it since i got it and its the best car ive ever owned reliability wise.

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  Never buy a discontinued brand! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Kyle - March 30 - 1:53 am

  Bought this car with 80,000 miles. Needed a car that was not so low to the ground because of my back. Wish I would have bought an old 9 Taurus. This car has fallen apart on me, the transfer case got a hole blown in it. So now its going to cost me $1700 dollars to replace, not including labor. I cant drive it because the drive shaft is laying in my garage and now I have no car because Im on a fixed income. I will never buy a discontinued brand again. The devil in mechanical form!

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  About to retire black beauty after 291,000km - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mcalpine - March 21 - 1:29 am

  I bought this car years ago used from a car dealer in Scarborough. It was very cheap (probably because of 5spd gear box and dent in hood) and my expectations were quite low. I just needed a car for the winter. It lasted a LOT longer than one winter. The 2.4l engine feels gutless in normal driving but when you put your foot down it picks up the pace nicely, albeit with plenty of noise which seems to be typical of GM four cylinders. I have full records of what has been replaced from new: Connecting pipe, small vacuum hose, blower motor resistor, rear window heating module, rear speakers, all struts/shocks/springs, gas cap, brakes x3 with new calipers, emerg brake cable, drivers seat back.

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  To add to the rest of positive reviews! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Chris Howe - March 18 - 9:20 am

  I am more than satisfied with my recent purchase of my Intrigue. I bought it used at a dealership. I love it, it has had no mechanical problems so far and I wish that they still made them. I love the power of the 3.5L Twin Cam V6. Its so great. For my first car that Ive bought on my own, I am more than happy. I would recommend this car to anyone. Well, anyone interested in buying a quality car that can whoop an imports butt when it needs to, while remaining extremely practical and gets great gas mileage. I love this car! I think that you should go buy one or any other Oldsmobile. Happy Driving!

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  Two-Faced - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Chris - March 18 - 1:36 am

  Ive had this car for approximatly three months now and shes been trouble at some points and a joy to drive during others. Ive blown a window regulator, have the hazard switch short, and have a gasket leak (oil leaking from car). If you can pick one up thats free of problems, by all means, do so. Its a truly fun car to drive.

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  The free car - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By Dave Elsberry - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This car was a gift, new by my in- laws. Its never been an attractive car, and didnt ride very well. Massive oversteer, and a floating feeling never made the car comfortable for any length of time. Over the life of the car (110K miles as of now). Ive rebuilt the top end of the motor twice due to head gasket failures, which cracked one head, and warped the intake both times. The transmission lost a $20.00 sensor, cost $1500.00 in labor to replace (the engine has to come out). Its now blown its third head gasket. the AC died two times due to the placement of the AC hoses, and all four power window motors failed.

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  Watch for the brakes and windows... - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By butterfly5180 - March 15 - 2:00 am

  LuV Car! I practically kiss gnight, but experienced a few problems. The car after 2 yrs Ive had new windows due to scratching, warranty fixed. However, when brakes need replaced do IMMEDIATELY. Had to wait 2 wks brakes had 1% on pad the other nothing left. Braking was metal 2 metal there is metal ALL OVER vehicle. My chrome rims scrubbed still hasnt removed rust color spray from rims. Unhappy becuz its all over exterior of car as well, spent 3-4 hours scrubbing and cant get all off. Windshield is fogged needs replaced, upset I take care of vehicle car seems ruined. Also the seek button paint has worn off immediately.

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  nimble little two door - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By vespagl - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This has been a fun car to own...lots of pep and good handling for a modestly priced car. Styling is very attractive and more than a few folk have commented on how nice this little "European coupe" was. I love the fold down rear seats for when the trunk needs to hold large items. I am gonna miss Olds when they go.

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  GM finally does it right - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By pcrisp - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I am glad that GM has finally put toghether a worth while vehicle of this quality. Tons of power, silky smooth ride, and super clean and rich interior.