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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  113K and still going strong - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By FB - June 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Intrigue used in Aug 1999 with 26,000 miles. It now has a few miles shy of 113,000 miles in March 2003. Aside from a freak occurrence, belt tensioner seizure at around 90k miles, it has been perfect. It is confident in rain and snow, and of course it handles superbly on a sunny day - much better than the Grand Prix GTP, which I have test driven prior to deciding on the Intrigue. Its such a pleasure to drive, I often take the long way home. Occasional passengers often mistake my Intrigue for a European or Japanese import and are surpised when I tell them its an Oldsmobile.

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  love my olds van - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By powell - June 8 - 5:10 pm

  Except for problems with the rear wiper, we have not experienced any major repairs. Some of the interior trim is a little on the cheap side for the top of the line olds. But I love my van and hope it last for awhile

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  Supurb Driver Control - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Manuel A. Martinez - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Transaxal Locking Assemly makes vehicle handle emergency stops very well. Vehicle now sells way under what is now reviewed and that is just one of many reasons why this is an excellant bargain. Grab one in south Texas for less then 26500.00

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  Aurora 3.5 - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By randy - May 11 - 10:00 am

  This is the most reliable vehicle I have owned and I have owned or leased over 10 vehicles. The power and handling ability are exceptional and the lumbar support and power seats make this a most comfortable car to drive. Oldsmobile has truly created a fine luxury vehicle beating the former European luxury car I owned before with its comfort, handling, and power. Too bad GM is discontinuing Oldsmobile. They should place the Aurora into the Buick line as its luxury sport vehicle.

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  Love my car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By lovemycar - May 4 - 10:20 pm

  I love my car and have no plans to sell it. The only problem I have is an issue with the blinkers. Theres a short somewhere. Other than the blinkers and routine maintenance, Ive had no problems at all. It drives great, has plenty of power, and still gets good gas mileage. Its plenty comfortable for our family of 4. Weve made quite a few road trips in it.

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  Dads Work Horse - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By John Helmke - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Beats all three Cadillacs I drove before. In fact it feels more like a Cadillac than they did. I like the "command" seating position. My wife loves the heated seats. A year ago when my mother moved into a nursing home we loaded as much of her stuff into a 12 foot UHall trailer and made the 400 mile trip home without incident. My only "complaint" is the gas mileage with the out of control price rise. In the city I get 16 on the road 21 which is about what I expected and considering what I am getting well worth the price. But the $2.25/gallon gas is getting me. We are driving my wifes 04 Impala and getting 31.25 mpg without holding back on the horses. Another Impala is looking attractive.

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  Lots of features for the price - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Jay_Portland - April 24 - 10:00 am

  This is a great value given the features it provides. Many standard features make it very easy and fun to drive. The 4.0 has lots of power. Handling leans more towards comfort than performance but there is a good balance. Mechanically sound but has been in the shop more than expected for minor cosmetic stuff.

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  Reliable Car(s) - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Renae - April 15 - 9:16 am

  I am a long-term Olds Cutlass owner. I actually own two. Both now have close to 200,000 miles on them. I have had to make very minimal repairs (hose replacements, gaskets, etc.). They run forever (or at least Ive been lucky). The model has a couple blind spots and the a/c vents arent located very well, but this is minimal.

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  2001 Olds Aurora - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Glenn - April 13 - 12:10 am

  My car is fun to drive - it handles securely in traffic and on the road. After 70,000 miles it has been very reliable with only two trips to the dealer for repair service. It is a good sized car that is very comfortable and economic to drive. My car gets over 30 mpg on the road and usually 26 - 27 mpg overall. I have never been stuck in the snow here in Wisconsin. The V6 engine seems to have adaquate power in passing other cars on the open road. The trunk space could be a little larger, but that is a small matter overall. If GM were were still making this model it would be first on my list when looking for another sedan.

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  Excellent! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Witchbaby - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car and found that it was the size and reliability that I am looking for. I love it!