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:

• 

  Owner Review - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By lhsgcs - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Car is fun to drive, seems solid and well put together. No problems, loaded with features not found in competition.

• 

  seems to give me no problems - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By alero 03 - March 9 - 8:13 am

  I bought the car with 25,000 miles on it, and i seem to have no problems now with 43,000 miles. New brakes would help. But i love my car, very reliable!

• 

  Love our Silhoutte - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By GMBonnett - March 8 - 2:00 am

  We have really like our Silhoutte. We have had 2 months now and are very happy with the many options. Better gas mileage than I imagined

• 

  Love this car! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By gemini14608 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This was the best possible car for this price range. I feel like Im driving a Cadillac but paying for a Kia.

• 

  Indigo Blue - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Jamie Wojcik - March 6 - 10:16 am

  I have a indigo blue Bravada that the paint on the back fender flair is chipping away. I noticed this after only 200 miles. I was wondering if any one else has had this problem and if so what was done about it? Please email me at jwojcik@flexcon.com

• 

  farm - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By - March 2 - 10:00 am

  solid car, good milage and I used it for sales and for carrying materials for construction projects. the hole that goes through the back seat is invaluable for carrying trim 10 long.

• 

  Reliability, Performance & Comfort - 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Michael S. Krupka - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my dark green Oldsmobile Bravada for 3 1/2 years. It has run flawlessly and is driven over 100 miles each day. I currently have 80k miles on the vehicle. I have an average fuel economy of 20.1 mi/gallon using 87 Ron fuel. This vehicle is secure and comfortable and will be tough to replace. I have used synthetic oil and performed all necessary routine maintenance including transakle and rear differential fluid changes, transmission service and brake fluid flush. The vehicle has the original brake oads and rotors.

• 

  solid car - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Jeff L. - March 2 - 10:00 am

  I have put 80,000 miles on my Alero and have had no problems with it at all.

• 

  18 months of surprises - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Vanone - February 24 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used at an attractive price this ex rental has proved fast and economical. Fixes needed under warranty and not previosly attended to included a new trasmission, hood stain, new side mirrors, right AC vent control and airbag squeak. Running repairs include a new battery and front wheel bearing. This car out performs the S type Jag on the slolom course. Quieter than a Vanden Plas Jag I rented last week. Comfortable and very economical on long mountain trips. It never lacks power, wonderful 3.5 L engine. Excellent dealer service, I have recent experience with Mercedes, Jaguar, Honda Toyota and Mazda all of whom are also very good

• 

  Good mid-size car - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Olds4ever - February 21 - 9:56 am

  After my Cutlass rolled 100K miles, I had to invest almost $2000 in repairs underneath the hood. Serpentine belt, alternator, water pump, rotors (every 20K miles), shocks, battery (ok, cant complain on that one, it was original) and brakes. My gas gauge went about 3 years ago, so I have to monitor my trip odometer. This past winter, I slid on black ice and "totaled" my car. I slammed into a guard rail pretty hard and I was able to walk away from that accident. This is a sturdy car and I love it. Even though the front fender is damaged, we replaced the steering knuckle and the car is drivable. Now the ABS light comes on every time I start the car. I will keep it until it dies.