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, very good deal - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By gc - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Represents my part in helping the economy (...) after the Sept 2001 attack. Bought used, as a program car, base GX + pref. option pkg (alloys, traction, pwr drv seat, AM/FM/cass/CD, 6 spkrs, leather wheel & shifter, a few other perks) for about 50% of MSRP (less than a Focus!), at 26K mi. I could have gotten an extra $400 off if not for particular circumstances when I purchased it. Nice and "easy" to drive, performance tires are a bit noisy at speed, reviews say 7.7s 0-60mph vs. 7.5s or so for Passat. Handling is good but not equal to performance sedans in its class

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  Good one - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Hitdog - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Too bad this line is discontinued. With a couple of minor tweeks, this could compete with any vehicle priced between $35 and $45K. Trunk needs some tlc. Upgrade finish in trunk. The paint job could be better. Other than that, the car is quick, quiet, and prestegious. Excellent ride, and very comfortable to drive.

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  Intrigue - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By lg - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I have been very satisfied with my purchase. The Intrigue is one of the most comfartable cars that I have driven.

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  KICKS! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Bekki - December 15 - 8:43 pm

  This is an awesome car, turns heads, cause its red and sporty! Excellent body and interior, the GLS is the ONLY way to go!

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  This car is a treasure! - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By voodoolilly - December 13 - 7:00 pm

  I loved my Town N Country but It kept having mechanical issues. Its style was what drew me. Recently I purchased a silluette and have found all the features love in the TnC without mechanical problems.

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  I love my car - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Paula H. - December 3 - 10:56 pm

  I have over 309 thousand miles on my car. It is still the original everything. The only things I have had to replace on this car is the water pump and the break pads. It has been great! I suffer from driving anxiety and I would trust it to go to California and back to Wisconsin with no problems. I am currently looking to get another one, due to the fact my son took this one from me. This is not your gutless Cutlass.

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  Still loving it - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Rick - November 27 - 6:53 pm

  Bought my 2001 4.0 in 2002 with 10000 miles. It now has 67500 miles and it looks like a brand new car. It turns heads and people ask what kind of car it is, is it new, can you still buy them

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  1999 Intrigue - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By robert kramer - November 25 - 5:53 pm

  The Oldsmobile Intrigue is a great driving car. I still like driving it. It looks like a bigger version of the Acura TL. It makes the TL look chincy to me. I am averaging 21-22 mpg. It does not burn oil. Why didnt GM promote this car? I have friends (Toyota owners) that are impressed when they are passengers and cant believe that an American (GM) car drives this well. If the new Impala SS is this good, I might buy one.

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  Nice ride - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By andreah - November 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought the 3.4 6cyl,and it is powerful, the car is really smooth, and a big improvement from my 1986 olds calais, I LOVE the two tone interior, that ismy favorite part of the car, the speakers are nice too, also the windshield wipers fascinated me by how the washer fluid comes out of the wiper arm, also impressed with transmission, doesnt require care until 100,000 miles supposedly, well see

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  Best SUV Ive owned!! - 2001 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Kevin Livingston - November 12 - 8:00 am

  I have very much enjoyed the "luxury-style" ride and comfort even on a long ride. This is my second SUV (first a 97 Blazer) and Ive noticed it does not have the rolling effect on turns and curves, very nice! Pleasure to drive, easy steering, good response to the gas pedal, great sound system (cassette and CD). I like the wood appoitments in the console, all options are within easy reach and practically placed. Drink cup holders a little small.