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:

• 

  Bravada vrs Explorer - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Paul in FL - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought our 2002 in 12/01 for 29,000 even with no dlr fees..minus GM points of 2500 and then got the Zero financing for 3 yrs..So $26.5 with 0%..DO NOT pay over invoice and refuse the dealer fees! We have 5500 carefree miles now..Replaced a 96 explorer that we loved with 125,000 V-8 miles..but the Bravada has much smoother and Much quieter ride than the explorer..The 270hp eng has plenty of torque and acceleration..

• 

  Never Again - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By UnhappyFloridian - January 26 - 11:46 pm

  I was really excited about purchasing my Platinum Edition Oldsmobile Bravada until I started having problems with it. At 36,000 miles my transmission, rear wiper motor and A/C system all went (glad I bought the extended warranty). Since then, I have replaced the brakes twice, redone the front end, and keep getting water in my transfer case (car has been in the shop at least six times for this alone). I never drive in water and they cant figure out what the problem is. Also, it has lots of rattles. My ignition shorted twice as did my radio. My transmission is going again and the roof rack paint is peeling. The jack they provided could not hold the vehicle weight. Oldsmobile refused to replace a $50 jack free of charge. I would never purchase an Oldsmobile again.

• 

  Not your old Olds - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Mike - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 20k miles from a decent dealer. Have owned Olds before and was disappointed in the quality. At 80k miles, gets decent gas mileage both in town and on the road, 20/30. Its a small car and rides like it. Had the security key module replaced three time and then finally the on board computer, which is quite costly when out of warranty. Replaced the front strut assemblies as they were worn out by 40k miles. I would look for a foreign make instead of this.

• 

  Not Too Shabby - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By Laura - January 22 - 9:36 am

  Overall, it drives well, but like other midsize GM cars, its needed frequent repairs - electrical switches malfunction, brakes need frequent replacing, etc.... Its doing well for having 140,000 miles, but Im always wondering when something will need fixing next.

• 

  Unreplaceable - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By chente - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I have only been able to own my Intrigue for a short 18 months..alas it was a total loss and was put to rest on May 2, 2004. However I think it is worth mentioning that this vehicle left its passangers, including myself, able to walk away without a scratch from a very ugly mangled vehicle. Before this, the vehicle handled and performed well beyond my expectations. Service was inexpensive and handled well on long trips. It was a joy to drive and own, it will be hard to replace.

• 

  NICE SUV, NOT SO NICE SUV - 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By pinmaster - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I like the vehicle overall, but it has had a lot of mechanical problems since I purchased it used exactly 1 year ago with 58,000 miles. I have replaced the AWD system, serpentine belt, alternator, the idler arm, rotors, and front bearings all in a years time. My husband USE to have a 97 Olds Bravada and had most of the same things go wrong with it around 48,000 miles. We could no longer afford 2 vehicles with so many problems so we traded it for a brand new (2003) foreign vehicle. Go Toyota!!

• 

  204,000 miles and still going strong - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Larry3030 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 1998 with 52000 miles on it. It has been a very reliable car, with just normal maintenance needing done. I was broad sided by a Toyota Tercel on my way home from work one day. The tercel was totaled back to the windshield. I backed by car off the curb and drove it home. It had $6000.00 worth of damage done to it. I loved the car so I had it repaired. (Insurance company covered everything) Since the repair work, you could never tell it was in an accident. Drives and handles perfect! I am looking at a 1995 Cutlass Supreme now. It only has 40,000 miles on it. The dealer is asking $6000. I am going to buy it this week.

• 

  Trouble Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By drazzst - January 1 - 6:46 am

  Approx. 6 mos. after purchasing the vehicle, we had a minor rainstorm, and the driver side window wouldnt go up or down (power). Had the connection repaired. Next night, we had a MAJOR rainstorm, and the problem happened again. Shortly after, the radio stopped working due to a wire being disconnected by the dealer (their fault). After that was repaired, because of the location of the wire in the driver side, it became disconnected again. Then the starter started messing up...sometimes it takes up to 6 tries to turn the engine over. Now the coolant light comes on, chimes, and goes off. My car is currently considered a "Friday Night Special"

• 

  Troubled Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Unknown - December 27 - 3:50 am

  I love my dont get me wrong.Ive had it just over a year now and its just now giving me problems.After looking up everything about the car,everyone seems to have the same issue.The car just wont start.I have no clue why and no one else seems to know either.If that issue was resolved it would be great.So if anyone knows please post it.Other than that I love the speed of the car,great get-up.

• 

  Love my Bravada! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By LindaLou - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive been very happy with my Bravada. I think it looks like a more expensive car (Lexus?) and rides like a more expensive car (BMW?) I adore the DVD player for our daughter.