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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  Youll take the long way home from work. - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Bork - May 7 - 10:00 am

  The car is a real thrill to drive, with plenty of zip off of stoplights to take care of Civics and Eclipses. The handling is aggressive and crisp, and the acceleration is outstanding. The engine has a nice growl to it, if you like that sort of thing. Ive definately gotten nothing but positive comments from friends and strangers. My major complaints are with rear visibility, due to the high back end, and the extremely large tailights. Theyre unique, but theyre a blaitant attempt to shed Oldsmobiles "your fathers car" steriotype.

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  Alero = "lemon" - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Timo - May 7 - 10:00 am

  In the last nine months Ive had the Alero, Ive had to bring it in to have warranty work done 4 different times. It feels cheaply made and has proven itself to be just that. I expected alot more.

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  Oldsmobile Rocket Intrigue - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By >BaDSeY< - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The Oldsmobile 3.5L V6 (Wards 10 best engines 1999) paired with the electronic automatic tranny is exceptional. Underrated at 215Hp more like 240-250HP. People have been having alternator short problems with the lights dimming on the Intrigue. My flasher unit is intermittently faulty, but this is a previous known condition with the Grand Am etc. When the windshield wipers are turned off the blades are vertical so I keep them on the lowest setting at all times 18sec. GM made/contracted some electrical components with shoddy solder joints (flasher unit, wiper relay).

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  All smiles until 40,000 miles - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Alero owner - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This car ran wonderfully until it hit 40,000 miles, since than many minor and major things have broken. In the past year, 15,000 miles, it has been in the shop 7 times. Water pumps, window regulators, intake manifolds, the ABS harness...and countless more. Beware, if you by an Alero make sure to buy the extended warranty.

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  Very Reliable - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By RK - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Only problem so far been a broken drivers side door handle, and it can be a little difficult to fill at the gas pump. Other then that it was a very sweet ride. The New 2001+ Auroras look like an Intrigue, a big mistake by olds.

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  Love my Alero - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Aeroguy0369 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Ths is my first car and so far i love it. Performance is great, once u break it in...looks.. it looks really nice.. black coupe.. its hot

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  Where can I buy another one!! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By flyboy - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Alero new in 2001. It is used as a commuter for teenagers. We also own an Eclipse, but are looking for a second Alero and will sell the Eclipse. The Alero is safe, handles well and provides the kids with the ability to take themselves and a couple friends to a movie and spares the back seat passengers unnecessary gymnastics.

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  Where can I buy another one!! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Flyboy - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Alero new in 2001. It is used as a commuter for teenagers. We also own an Eclipse, but are looking for a second Alero and will sell the Eclipse. The Alero is safe, handles well and provides the kids with the ability to take themselves and a couple friends to a movie and spares the back seat passengers unnecessary gymnastics.

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  Oregon Alero - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By out of the country - April 28 - 10:00 am

  I now live outside the country and unfortunately have to sell my car. The V-6 is very powerful but also nimble. I am 64" and it is not crouded, I still have confortable head room. Gas effeciency is very good at close to 30 GPM on the highway. When I bought it I compared it to the Japanese/ German 2 dr. V6 Coupes. Nothing could come close enought in price (with comparative features) to warrent a 2nd test drive

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  Great car - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By AMW - April 25 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great car. In 5 years and 70000 miles, replaced alternator once. Rubber seal around windshield came loose at 50,000 miles. A tube of super glue solved that problem. Top performance and comfort on highway.