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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  A Living Room on Wheels - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By gnlhall - April 25 - 2:00 am

  What a great family car. We use our Silhouette for many long trips and it cant be beat. We enjoy the DVD system, CD Changer, great Captains Chairs and the abundance of room. Oh yeah, we dont need to stop much for gas as we routinely get 24-25 mpg on the hwy which gets us close to 600 miles on a tank of gas. A winner!

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  Beautiful Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Happy Customer - April 24 - 6:00 am

  I just bought my dream car. 1999 Olds Aurora with 94,000 miles for $6500. I have been looking for months. Its white pearl with tan. It is so quiet, I cannot even hear the engine, unless you roll down the windows and kick it .....then hear it roar. Its a pity customers buy foreign cars when such quality cars are made in America. Buy American.

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  I like my Alero - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By rplank - April 23 - 7:56 am

  Leased it because it was cheap and seemed solid compared to the imports in the same price range. I have 30000 miles on it and not a problem. 4 cylinder has adequate power for the gas milage it gets. I just bought a new 2002 Alero because of the rebates and incentives. If it wouldnt of been cheap I would of gone with an import only for resale value, not because I like them better than the Alero.

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  Fantastic Family Van - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Karen V - April 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought the Olds Silhoutte Premiere new in 4/99 and it now has 65k on it. We have never had a single mechanical problem! Has been a marvelous & comfortable vehicle for daily use, as well as for long trips. Wed buy one again in a heartbeat. Our teens have loved it also. My previous car was a Mercedes 300SD and I was reluctant to get the van, but it has been great.

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  BRAKES! - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By franr - April 14 - 10:00 am

  4TH BRAKE JOB IN LESS THAN 4 YEARS AND 54K MILES! I also have been told it is my driving habits. First time in 30 years of owning cars that I been told that! I have had some other problems with the car, but it is the brake problems I find totally UNACCEPTABLE! I have called olds customer service at 1- 800-442-6537 to complain. Waiting for a response. If you have had 2 or more brake jobs in less than 4 years, you should call too. This is not only a monetary issue as well as an inconvenience, I am concerned about the safety issue as well.

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  Pretty car, poorly built - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tnm - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for nearly 3 years now. I regret my purchase. The Alero has nice styling, decently performs, but is very poorly built. Rotors warp easily, the doors leak, the A/C leaks into the dash, door panels warp easily, the dashboard creaks/squeaks, and now a recall for the hazard flashers. Body panel fit is lousy, and the switchgear is cheap. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

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  I love my Intrigue! - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By JC - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I am the original owner of this car and have put 126k miles on it. It has sat out in Chicago weather for 8/10 years and has only small exterior damage/rust. I was considering a new car, but only because of minor inconveniences including broken gas door release button, loose dash and air conditioning that just gave out this summer. After reading these reviews, I think Ill just make the repairs! I love my car and after test driving about a dozen new, have yet to find a car that will surpass my beautiful Intrigue. Sure, shes getting up there in age and showing a few age spots, but she runs great and I have NEVER had a problem with this car!

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  Average - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Willie - April 1 - 10:20 pm

  The Alero is fun to drive, but it gets horrible gas millage, it is horrible in the snow, and its speakers rattle with every hint of base in a song.

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  Great Car - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By pookysmom - March 31 - 6:33 pm

  I enjoy driving my Alero. I havent had any major problems with it so far. Im thinking of giving it to my son after Im done with it.

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  Love this car - 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By brminder - March 31 - 2:00 am

  Bought it with 112000 miles on it, doesnt burn any oil, gets about 30 on the highway, 22-25 in town, lots of power, quiet, smooth ride. Its just a great car.