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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  Headache - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Cindy - June 17 - 11:03 pm

  I go through wheel bearings every year on this. The gas gauge has not worked since it had 65,000 miles. At 70,000 miles the door hinges needed replaced over $500 for that. Now at 94,000 miles the 4 wheel drive is not working. This vehicle has cost me nothing but money. I would not recommend it at all. Numerous other small things has gone wrong with it. and i keep it well maintained and i still have nothing but problems with it.

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  Bravada After a Car Wreck - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By cameronlerback235 - June 11 - 3:33 pm

  I love my Bravada. It is a nice vehicle, but it has its drawbacks because when I got in my car accident it started having problems and it wouldnt start sometimes. I had to replace my computer in the vehicle and now it runs fine. I am getting ready to replace my shocks and tires, that way it will ride a lot nicer but it is real quiet and I can barely hear the engine when driving or accelerating. It has a nice 4.3L V6 engine and it has enough torque but I wouldnt mind more and maybe a better sound system.

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  My Alero Fred - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By jwurtenberg - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I have named my Alero Fred because we have been through so much together. He is the best car Ive ever owned; very reliable, smooth ride, and powerful.

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  My favorite vehicle... - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By burnsrose - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I love my Bravada. I have a 98 with almost 100,000 miles on it and have only had oil changes and standard maintenance. It has been extremely reliable. Very comfortable ride. Good size for carrying bicycles, skis, etc. I am thinking about replacing it and if I do, it will be with another Bravada.

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  alero - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By reese - June 6 - 2:00 am

  all out great vehicle stylish sporty.just the right amount of power,it also haves great features, most standard.

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  1994 Olds cutlass supreme 130,000 miles - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By caniebrugge - June 1 - 10:10 pm

  intake manifold leaked a little oil. had to tightened. Rear upper strut mounts went bad., Cam sensor wire insulation went bad right at the sensor because of oil leak. Transmissoin selector switch went bad causing the car not to go in over drive. Now remember this car has 132,000 mile run great. Great gas mileage. Im a mechanic. its been a good car.

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  1998 Olds Aurora - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By mtn man - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Averaging 22 mpg. Only two minor mechanical repairs; front brake calipers $400 and drivers door handle $200. Both right after 50,000 mile warranty expiration.

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  Very Pleased - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Mike - May 31 - 3:20 am

  We bought our totally loaded Oldsmobile Silhouette GL new. It has everything a GLS has except leather. Weve put 80,000 plus miles on it and we cant complain. Its been extremely reliable and economical. Weve had to replace tires and the coil packs failed at around 60,000 miles. The intake gasket was replaced under warranty as a recall. Everything else has worked just fine. I changed the front brake pads myself at around 40,000 miles. The rears were done just recently. Shes due for shocks and another set of tires, both of which are reasonable in my opinion. Shes never left us stranded or even made as much as a hiccup while on the road. Ive just done oil changes and regular maintenance for 80,000 miles and almost 7 years.

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  Young at heart Aurora - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By mesajohn - May 27 - 10:46 am

  I was checking for a caddy when the Aurora jumped at me from the dealership floor. This one was Marine green (thats me,) with two-tone tan and burl interior and loaded.The V-8 performed like a rocket ship and the car cornered like a racecar. I was 24 years old again! The car is subtle in its appearance but when the young kids pull up beside this grandpa at a light and start revving, I show them what a jackrabbit start is really all about. Gotta go. Its time for my geritol.

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  Old Dependable - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Tropycsman - May 26 - 9:13 pm

  I bought this car used as a rental. I maintain it well. The mileage has been very punishing city driving 95% of the time. I average 16mpg city and 27mpg highway. Other than an issue with the brake proportioning valve, the car has been very dependable. It is my "beater" and keeps on ticking. The performance aspect has been very surprising. With the right tires the car handles well in the rain, snow, and, of course, dry conditions. Acceleration is good with lots of low end torque (3.8L V-6). Interior is comfortable and roomy but plain. This car is a keeper.