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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  Silhouette - 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By summerdude3283 - May 21 - 8:06 pm

  This car wasnt a very good car. It broke down twice during a two year period. Its not very reliable and is bad. It wasnt very safe when i got into a car accident because it killed my cousin that was in the front right passenger seat.

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  Several problems ruin a nice car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By c34j46 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  The rotors made by GM are junk and should have been recalled but GM refused to recall the part. My new brand new rotors and pads were pulsating after only 3500 miles. My turn signals would not work at least once a week and then magically start to work again so the switch needs to be replaced. Rear stabilzer bars had to be replaced to stop the annoying squeak the car would make after even the smallest bumps in the road. Im looking to buy some aftermarket rotors which hopefully will last more than 3500 miles. I think the brakes on my ten speed bicycle would have stopped the car more efficiently than the junk GM puts on the car.

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  Still pretty good - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By macie jo - May 19 - 10:00 am

  i bought it with a rebuild trans. 166,000 miles and have only had to replace brakes all way around. door handles on door are not good! broke drivers twice. but seems to still purr like a kitten. I paid $1200.00 for it. paint is great too. no peels or rust. would recommend this car.

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  Loved this car - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Intrigue fan - May 19 - 1:20 am

  I bought this car used in 2004, w/45,000 miles. I was used to buying foreign, and remember test driving this when it was new. It was designed to compete with foreign cars, handling and design. Also the 3800 Series II was a temp till the engine they planned for the car was finished. I must say I LOVED THIS CAR from the day I bought it, till I sold it, and wish hadnt. The handling was great, and very similar to foreign. Gas mileage was remarkably good for a 3.8 engine. This engine blows the replacement 3.5 engine (later yrs) away. Much smoother and quieter shifting and ride. Great room, great design. I only wish they still made them. My A/C went too. Otherwise reliable, except normal wear.

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  The Worst Car I Have Ever Owned - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By slipperysil - May 15 - 3:00 pm

  I had to have more than $10,000 worth of warranty work done on my Oldsmobile Aurora and know it seems like something goes wrong every week, like the window motor, air shock sencor, etc...

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  Great Van Overall - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By dirkdaddy - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Our first Van, thought Id hate it coming from a sports sedan, but we love it. The Olds/GMs are strong contenders I think. Pluses: * Interior made for American sized people by Americans * Tons of features come on the van * Great fuel milage yet power is enough to spin the wheels even on dry pavement * Transmission is strong, smooth, great shifting and reliable - not like Chrysler or Honda with problems. * Handling with 16" michelins very good * Self-leveling suspension nice touch! We could not belive all the features on the van (we have a used 98 version) and how nice it was inside.

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  Beware of the Intrigue! - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Josh - May 12 - 5:50 am

  This car is a nightmare, a money pit! The engine knock 3.5 litre aluminum motor is a piece of junk. It is a non-rebuildable motor and the GM replacement costs $4,500! I have been experiencing iIncurable front-end vibrations, an uncomfortable interior (the armrests are from hell), horrible gas mileage, an uncooperative climate control system, and a painful sounding stereo. It had power when I first bought it, but now it is a dog. It burns dirty, there is always soot on exhaust tips. It is probably losing compression. At least it looks nice. Please, if you are thinking about buying this car...RUN! Run the other way and dont look back!

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  Bought it old - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By J R - May 9 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this vehicle from a Dealer who knew it had issues. Typical is the Dex cool issue which used to eat up radiator and heater cores. Weve a great mechanic and had to spend $2000 improving the vehicle but it now appears in great shape. You MUST change all the fluids periodically despite manufacturer recommendations. Expect to clean the injector manifold at about 75,000 and replace the intake manifold gasket. They will typically leak about then.

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  This Car is GREAT!!!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By luckymrg - May 9 - 2:00 am

  This has got to be one of the nicest suvs I have ever had the pleasure of driving. I like it so much I am looking to buy second one for my wife.

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  Alero Coupe with Getrag manual trans. - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Johnnyangel - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, easy to handle, firm shifter, good clutch engagement, comfortable interior- plenty of front and rear legroom, plenty of engine mods available