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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  2002 2WD Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By calucyk - June 14 - 1:56 pm

  The overall vehicle is great! If your in the market for a mid size SUV, look no further, this one is for you. If you do like I did, shop around, but Im sure youll find yourself signing the papers on a new 2002 Bravada. The inline 6 is so smooth, its easy to mistake as a V8. For an 6 cylinder, it produces torque and horsepower so low in the RPM range. Very well engineered and manufactured. Smooth ride, thanks to the air ride suspension.

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  Geat Car - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Michael J. Murphy - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Have had this car since new and have really enjoyed the performance, fuel economy and reliability.

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  Should have gotten rid of Buick - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By johnryan1077 - May 27 - 2:16 am

  I have owned my 99 Intrigue for 2 years and it only has 78,000 miles on it and it drives like new. I realize it is going to be 10 years old next year but it drives so well and its looks stood the test of time. I have the 3.5 liter engine and it cooks on the highway. I think GM made a mistake buy getting rid of Oldsmobile instead of Buick. How many ten year old Buicks do you see on the road compared to Aleros and Intrigues. Great vehicle!

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  Absolutely decent midsize sedan - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By gabe - May 18 - 9:50 pm

  I bought my 01 Intrigue in 2001, as a program car, (28K mi), because it seemed a very good deal (half price). I didnt need another car, but , a few years later, Im still happy with this purchase. It was one of the sportiest American midsize sedans of the day. The major critique it received was about finish quality; however, all I could find wrong with my car was a side dash plastic panel fitted poorly. GM management should have kept the oldest car brand existing, not dump it. I believe they should have upgraded the Oldsmobile lineup, instead of coming up with the dubious GTO, SSR, etc...

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  Not Your Fathers Oldsmobile - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Burt Swanson - May 12 - 10:00 am

  This car has been an outstanding vehicle. Not wanting to buy an Oldsmobile, mostly from lack of anyone younger than myself ever having owned one and not being able to get a good feel for them, I acquiesced to my wifes desire to purchase it. I bought it used with slighlty less than 40k on it. In the nearly two years I have owned it we have pushed the mileage to 77k with no problems other than a derailed coffe cup holder that took two minutes to fix. Fit and finish are good and the car is a joy to drive. Quick, responsive and good on gas, it fits my family of four quite nicely. I would have NO problem entertaining the purchase of another Oldsmobile product.

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  Excellent Automobile - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bop T Panackes - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I am a big oldsmobile fan and since the 2004 Bravada is there last car i just had to buy one. I am quite impressed with this car. I love it!!!

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  best car ever owned - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By tomtom22 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned and I have owned my share of 3 Fords, 4 Olds, 2 Chevy, 3 Plymouths a VW, a Toyota and going back to my first car a 49 fast back Chevvie sedan.

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  A Great Olds - Sorry to see them go. - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By IntrigueOwner559 - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Bought slightly used from a GM dealer for thousands less than a similar age and equipped Accord or Camry, and what a huge improvement of features over either of those cars. This car has been a great choice. Only minor repairs (radio button) and scheduled maintenance. This is a great value for all you get: Auto dual zone heater, Auto Headlamps, Radio Antenna in rear window. All the great options. Mine is a GLS, top of the line, so may have options others don’t, but I love the ride and the power. Also gets over 30mpg on the highway on a long flat trip with cruise set at 75.

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  BYE - Intrique - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By BYE-OLDS - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This was my first and Unfortunately my last Olds. I can not say enough about this automobile... No troubles, great to drive, great engine:):)..

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  Love the car! - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By AliK - March 25 - 10:00 am

  Went from a VW to this and Im glad I did. Its sporty and a very reliable car. For a smaller car there isnt that "tin" sound when you close the doors. The acceleration is great.