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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  Car has been great so far - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By BJ - July 9 - 10:10 pm

  I have had the ignition problem but seems to have gone away after taking all keys off except house key and ignition. I have 120k on it and have only replaced front hubs at 86k and fuel pump at 96k. Everything else works great and I love the rds stereo system. I use synthetic oil and have had the car since it had 56k on the odom. I get 26 in town and 34 on the highway with the 2.2 4cly as long as I drive it easy.

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  Bring Em Back - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By art thomson - July 7 - 8:03 pm

  The 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight is my kind of car. Its fun to drive, and has lots of power. Thats it. The down side: the plastic cup holders are lousy. They broke off and are long gone. The radio is very good, though I wish there had a CD player since the cassette player broke. I would buy another Olds if only they were still making them. I guess it will be a Buick or Caddy for me, since I only buy American.

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  2002 BRAVDA - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By BRIAN - July 7 - 6:50 pm

  THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUPERB. ABSOLOUTELY NO DEFECTS HAVE BEEN FOUND SO FAR AND I AM QUITE PICKY. I CHOSE THE BARAVADA OVER THE ENVOY & TRAILBLAZER DUE TO ITS BETTER LOOKS, NICER SEATS, AIR SUSPENSION AND BETTER WARRANTY.

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  What a car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By intrigue - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 2 Accords and 2 Camry. All four were purchased new. My intrigue was purchased new. It has been the best by far. End of story. I have replaced the battery, tires(twice) and breaks(twice- I break WAY late) and done all regular maintenance.

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  I wish they still built these - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Cheryl - June 30 - 9:30 am

  This is the 5th 2-door Cutlass I have owned. I previously had a sales career which required many miles of driving, I bought cars new and traded them at about 150k. Now that I have switched careers to something with hardly any travel I didnt need brand new, and I immediately went out and found myself a 1994 Cutlass Supreme, as a way to own a classic since GM saw fit to eliminate this wonderful brand. I know that I can drive this for years. Even though its 15-years old, its still beautiful, and Im proud to own it.

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  Bravada number one - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By charlie roshon - June 27 - 12:40 pm

  I bought my 2000 bravada in 2008 with 89,000 miles on it. I never thought that I could love a vehicle so much. So much fun to drive. You feel cool driving it. Decently quiet automobile. A few squeaking interior parts but have not had one single problem with this vehicle. The gas Gage was broken when purchased. The doors sag a little on the driver and passenger side, but its 10 years + old. Give it a break. Gets through snow like a charm. Never been stuck. Even did a little mudding with no problems. Road noise is there but not unbearable. Plenty of cargo space. And the awd on mine jerks when I turn to sharp which is very anoying but mine is the only one Ive heard of that does it. Awesome truck

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  This van has been awesome!! - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Chad - June 25 - 11:53 pm

  My wife and I purchased this van new in Jan 2004 and have had it 4+ years now and it has 83,000 miles. All that we have had to do is replace the wheel bearing and brakes. For a van which was supposedly unreliable, my wife and I have had no problems. We have taken it on every vacation and it avgs 24- 25 mpg at 70-75 mph with full loads and 3 kids. It still sparkles when washed and waxed. Lots of room and plenty of room to store luggage when traveling. The interior is easy to clean and seats are very comfy even in back. Lots of storage compartments for those carry along toys. Sorry to see Olds no longer is in business because wed buy another.

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  Alero - An Awesome Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mike - June 24 - 2:13 am

  My 1999 Oldsmobile Alero is a jewel. I love the ride. It hasnt had any engine problems. I used to have a Mitsubishi Eclipse and I am glad that I traded it in for an Alero.

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  I love this car! - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By rzb1992 - June 21 - 4:03 am

  For over a few years, Ive been wanting to have my own Intrigue and I was finally fortunate enough to get one for my birthday. (Thankfully I got my license). I love this car. It has a lot of power, is very comfortable, and has been very reliable for me. The sound system is amazing, and its not even the optional bose system. Only expected maintainance for the age and mileage.

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  Like the van - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Douglas Schiff - June 19 - 10:00 am

  This is our second Silhouette and both have been trouble free. Cruises at 75 on the freeway and is very quiet. Seats come out quite easily for lots of storage room.