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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  Intrigue, Love It - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By radko - March 20 - 3:40 pm

  When Olds first advertised the Intrigue in 97 it was on my list for my wife. I waited for the 3.5 and found a rebuildable GLS with 3,000 miles and the $26,000 window sticker still in place. I fixed the 1/4 panel and replaced the transmission and painted the whole car for under $6,000 with the car. the brakes and tires were replaced at 47,000 miles. 70,000 miles later and its still going strong. This car has everything, leather, dual zone climate, electric shocks, but no moonroof. It has the best seat support you can find. I wish they were heated and vibrated for my back. I get a solid 28+mpg and a this car is a stealthy blast to drive. It gobs up asphalt and curvy mountain roads with the best from Leipzig. I get the question often what is that?" This is one of Ed Welburn best designs. My wife has the truck.

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  2nd. Aurora - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Don M - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Had an 01 Aurora V6 and recorded 60,000 miles in about 2 years Got about 30 MPG from NJ to FL. I liked the car so much that I traded it in on an 03 Aurora. Drove it from New Jersey to North Carolina on I95 and adveraged 28.5 MPG. A great cat for touring.

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  My favorite mini van - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Fred Hegner - March 17 - 2:00 am

  This is the second Olds mini van we have owned. The first was a 1990 which was given to our son when it reached 135,000. By the way the 1990 now has about 150,000 and is still going strong. The 2002 has been improved in every way except the body pannels are not as ding or dent proof as were the plastic pannels on the 1990. The All Wheel Drive feature has proven to be worth the extra cost especially this winter.

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  The Best Vehicle Ever - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By buzymom - March 9 - 7:00 pm

  This is the first van we have ever purchased. With that said its been a joy to own, drive and haul kids in! I cant understand why they dont make them anymore. I would definitely buy another one without a doubt!

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  first minivan - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By scott s. - March 7 - 10:00 am

  like it alot, it rides and handles better then I throght it would. the dash and controls are easy to use. the standard features for the price can not beat the deal.I test drove the olds first, then all the rest of the minivans , went back to buy the olds.

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  Outstanding Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Jericho - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my 4.0 used a few months ago, after reconsidering an SUV purchase...Who really needs 90 cubic feet of space...I got so much luxury for my money...Its a shame the resale is so low...the cars handles flawlessly...I feel the road and the engin at work together and was shocked at the balls in this car...off the line its great and the interier is outstanding...soo comfortable to drive anywhere. I have a FULLY loaded version and after hours of time spent on comparison...could not find one reason to not buy this car...It seems to be the best kept secret on the road. Sorry it has to go

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  Still love it - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By miranda - March 1 - 3:53 am

  I bought my Olds brand new in 2001 and have put over 107,000 miles on it. I absolutely love my car. It handles great in all weather, with relatively low maintenance. Ive put new tires and brakes on it but thats normal wear-and-tear for 107,000 miles. The duo heated-leather seats, moonroof and stability control are my "must-haves." I was doing a bit of looking around for a potential new car after I hit the 100,000 miles mark and cannot find anything close to my Olds for under $35,000. Last weekend I put 8 bags of mulch in the trunk with the door CLOSED. GM had a winner with the Intrigue but now is no more.

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  Love this car and Oldsmobile - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By oldsmobile93 - February 23 - 8:17 pm

  This was my first car, it now has over 230,000 miles on it. I have no major problem with it. It runs like the day I got it. I recommend this car to everybody I know

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  Great Car Overall - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By niteowl - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Overall this has been a good ownership experience. The car rides great, is quiet, and the V6 gives a good compromise between mileage and power. I drove the V8, and while it has more power the front end was heavier and the car seemed less agile. Excellent highway cruiser. After a long trip we are much less tired than riding in other cars we have owned. Have seen others complain about squeaks/rattles/fit/finish, howevever, I have had no problems. No warranty issues other than replaced front tie rods at 35,000 miles--seems to be an issue with this car and the Seville, which share the same platform.

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  Great Car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Michael Copper - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my olds since it was new. The only thing I would change design wise would be the windshield wipers. The passenger side does not hide. This is a great car and fun to drive. I get 29mpg on freeway and 25 around town. The only problems I have had, are some rear brake noise, not bad though and the passenger door sticks, making it hard to open. I havehad no mechanical problems. I love the handling, stereo, heated comfortable seats, and design. I would buy another if they made it.