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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  Alero is an Arrow - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Sharkey - March 24 - 10:36 am

  I love my Alero. All is good with the car. If there were one thing I could change on it, that would be the road noise. I am running Goodyear Eagle GT,s, and the road noise is a little high. Other than that, the car is GREAT !! The handling is quick and precise. The trunk has lots of room ! Seats are great. I guess there is one other thing I would change, and that is the headroom. I am a little tall though. But with the seat adjustment, I can lower the seat to a comfortable possition and all is good. Two of the best features of the car are its suprising power and its AWESOME looks. I DO LOVE THIS CAR !!!!!

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  Hello - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Mid South Morgage - March 1 - 10:00 am

  You would not belive the get up and go this van has but it will. I love this van and i would buy anthor modle as soon as Oldsmobille comes out with one.

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  Nice - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By DSetch - February 28 - 7:43 am

  I just bought a 1999 Bravada wholesale from a dealer to use as a 3rd vehicle for hauling stuff on weekends or camping. It has 103,000 miles on it so I knew for the price it had some stuff wrong with it. I paid $600 to have the wheel bearing replaced and now its a perfect car! It is bad that this had to be done on a car with 100,000 miles on it. I had an Xterra with 160k and only replaced brakes and tires once! Still for the price it drives awesome much better than the Xterra. It has great get up and go and plenty of features such as heated seats and Bose stereo.

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  Great car! What was GM thinking??? - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By R.Hach - February 25 - 5:36 am

  My first Olds Intrigue was totaled when another driver ran a stop light at 70 MPH! Later when I went back to the salvage yard to get my personal belongings, the Police were there and told me that the car durability saved my life, so I bought my second Olds Intrigue in 10/2007 with 27k on it. I do outside sales on the road, I now have 90k on it. Other than basic repairs (tires, battery) it has been problem free. Comfortable for long trips, rides smooth, and the A/C blows colder and cools faster than my wifes 2006 Chevy Impala! Why did GM kill Olds? My sister just bought herself one with low miles. She used to laugh at my Olds, now she is glad she got hers. People cant believe its 7 yrs old!

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By TSprinkel - February 17 - 9:33 am

  Why did Olds go away?! Ive had many new cars, but this is definitely the best overall value. Its fun to drive, still looks good, and Id keep it forever, but putting too many miles on it. Its a terrific vehicle.

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  M.J.G Rev on Aurora - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By mjg - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Its been a great car one the best i ever owned,smooth acceleration and ride,Performance off the line and passing between geers excellent.Corners very well at high speeds,Comfortable long rides and its all around atractive styling.I also compared Aurora to Lex,Bmw,300M,Toyo,They dont even compare.

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  Will keep it forever - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By ckpzone - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I love how this car drives. It has great pickup, and feels really safe. The cupholders are annoying, but that is the only thing I dont like. The stereo system is great, and gas mileage is okay. I love the way the seats open to the trunk. All in all, this is a great car. I would buy it again.

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  Excellent Car - 1998 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By britnyscc - February 1 - 1:33 am

  My husband and I bought this car last summer and we have fallen in love with it since. Its never given us any major trouble. The rear brakes are beginning to rub, but they only rub in the mornings when you first drive it. Very reliable. If we could buy another we definitely would!

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  Awesome car - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By snewberry - January 31 - 9:25 pm

  I bought mine brand new and have not had any problems. You just have to take care of your car.

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  I love it! - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By gaymarty - January 27 - 10:00 am

  18000 miles and no problems at all. I have only been back to the dealer when the "change oil" light on the 3.5L, 215HP, "short star" engine lights. This car is a keeper.