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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  Good Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Sam Voit - November 21 - 8:10 am

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  Great car - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Richard - November 16 - 5:30 pm

  I am original owner and after 154000 miles I still love this car. It is the earlier model with the 3800 seriesII V6- a great engine and no transmission problems. In fact no major maintaince expense- just what one might expect. Starter, intake manifold, plug wires and hoses. I hope to get another 150000 miles. I recently slowed down to the speed limit on highway and got 32/33 mpg against the original advertized 30mpg.

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  The best - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Torod - November 9 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Auroras since Oct of 1994 and have never driven a better car. I am very disapointed that GM has chosen to first down-grade the car and then discontinue it, and Oldsmobile. How dumb can a Management be to dump the countries oldest name plate. Anyway, I realize GMs decision has hurt the Aurora for near-future resale value but I do believe they will come back as a collector car in the future. In the mean time Ive moved to the Pontiac SSEi as the next best thing!

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  GREAT - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By piglvr - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have never owned a better car, fun to drive, and stylish. I thought of it as an older persons car...( grandparents) but it isnt its classy !!! low on repairs also

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  Safe and Reliable Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Olds Driver - November 2 - 10:30 pm

  Bought used over three years ago. All repairs (zero strandings and little inconvenience) have included window regulator (free under 60k mi warranty,) cam sensor - light (free again,) water pump (housing developed small leak which after several thousand miles had done for $200,) power steering pump (also a minor problem done at our convenience for $200.) A timing belt change on an economy car would have cost more than what we have spent in 70,000 miles of use. The only complaint I would give is the magnasteer unit which occasionally gave incorrect drag during high speed turns. I disconnected the magnet/rack (free and took two minutes) and now have generally perfect steering.

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  75,000 miles and still enjoy it! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Scott - November 1 - 11:00 pm

  Bought it new and 5 years and 75,000 miles without any major problems. I tow a small boat, haul items and often flip down the rear seats. Use it as a comfortable ride when out on the town with friends. Very comfortable.

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  Comfortable - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By K4ala - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Excellent around town and in parking lots Reall will make a sharp turn

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  Lovin my Olds! - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Steve & Becky - October 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is the top of the line from what I have seen in minivans, total luxury. We bought this vehicle used and we didnt know all the neat extras it had until we got it home, we were just looking for a nice minivan, but got so much more. Has a great 6-track cd player, electronic sliding doors,(with many different locations inside the car from which to open them), really nice to have when you are carrying baby seats and groceries etc. Van is nice and roomy, for real people, not just kids. Overall a great choice for anyone wanting lots of room and luxury.

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  Great Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By The Five-O - September 25 - 4:00 pm

  I drive a lot. Ive had this car for a little over a year and have already put almost 30,000 miles on it. Its taken me on numerous trips, one from Michigan to Florida, without a problem and use it to commute 20 miles back and forth to work and school everyday. I love the car. However, its been having issues with the passive security system and sometimes wont let me start the car. Other than that it has been a great car.

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  More Than the Camry - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Art - September 23 - 12:26 am

  I have had my Alero for five years with no problems. I prefer the handling and safety features over my sister-in-laws newer Camry. The only small problem has been brake rotor warping, which is common on all cars with ABS brakes in our hilly area. It is also a wonderful towed vehicle, behind the motor home. The automatic lights are great.