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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  DANGER! WARNING STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR. - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Thomas Alcantine - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car for my 18 year old son over a 3-Series BMW not the 5- Series as many unexperienced non- affluent drivers compare it too. I never owned a car this bad. The leather is cheap, the engine is noisy, interior pieces have broken, door locks died. It is disgraceful to compare this economy car to a luxury car. The person who said the Lexus GS is a Camry, you are wrong. The GS is built off the Avalons platform. I drive the 2002 Mercedes CLK55AMG. I recommend, spend the extra money and go for a TRUE luxury car. (Mercedes, Volvo, BMW, Jaguar,etc.) On Edmunds luxury page, you wont find Oldsmobile, Buick or Chrsyler in there.

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  Good car but has had some issues - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By baitshop - March 21 - 3:37 am

  I bought this car at 30,000 miles and have put 100,000 more on myself. There were some issues with the steering about two years after I bought it, Olds. recalled the Alero for steering issues but not the Aurora however they have the same steering set up. The steering wheel mounted controls do not light up as they should. In the last two months I have started leaking oil and now I am looking to get rid of it all together. On the plus side, it has really good pick up, lots of extras, lots of power and it does well in all weather. Very safe too. It has been a good car for 140,000 miles but it is going to take some serious cash in the next year to keep it running.

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  Cutlass - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By JLFL - March 20 - 6:23 pm

  Got this car in March just as a point A to point B car. Rides pretty well with a nice suspension and decent power. Fuel economy has been about 17/25/20.5, which is acceptable. The car is roomy and comfortable, but the build quality is pretty iffy. Had a couple interior trim pieces fall off, and some other loosely attached pieces. Mechanically it has help up pretty good, but a cog in the steering mechanism is off-set, not said to be a serious problem though.

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  Continuous Problems with Bravada - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By FGirl - March 16 - 10:00 am

  Weve had the vehicle in for repair of the AWD EIGHT TIMES and it is still not satisfactory. The service AWD light is on constantly and the SUV grinds and bumps during turns.

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  Watch out for 80000, its a doozy!! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Robyn - March 12 - 10:36 am

  I love the way my car looks and handles (its the 3.4L v6 coupe) I do not like the way the intake manifold gasket fails, the dash peels or the control arm bushings squeak. Nice power (can beat the boys at a light, is quick off the line)and huge sunroof, but can prove costly when repairs are needed.

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  50K + Buyer - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By mwoomer - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought car with 52,000 miles. Only problem was an oil filter line(cost ~$70). This is a poor GM design and they have since changed it. Runs great and is an absolute beast in the snow. I embarressed my roomate who owns a Jeep Cherokee during our "snow runs." Gas efficiency could be a little better. Nice amount of room, much more than the Cherokee. Looks great and feels good to drive.

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  Loving My Aurora - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By slrobb - March 7 - 9:03 pm

  My husband and I bought this car used and we just love it! We have had it for almost two years now and with normal upkeep maintence, this car is still running wonderfully. We couldnt be happier with this car!

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  Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Cheryl Tanneberger - February 27 - 6:50 pm

  Its a great vehicle. It drives smoothly, is sharp, and has a great turning radius. It also is very comfortable.

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  A Powerful Pleasant Suprise! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By us_blueskirt - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This car was purchased 3yrs old with about 40K mi...In 11 mos Ive put another 20k+...Multiple trips from E TN to FL, VA, TX, GA, and DC; plus a 40mi comute to work every day. This is a fantastic little car in city and OTR! It feels like driving a sporty car. It responds better if you keep an almost religious maintenance schedule. Great handling and power getting on and off the interstate and around these mountain curves. I run this car very hard and Im very pleased with it so far. As I set out for another trip to TX..there is not a single doubt that this little car will get me there and back with pleasure!

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  2001 Alero GLS 4 door - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By 3and14 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased an Alero GLS in Feb 2001 and have not regretted it in the nearly 3 years since. The handling and braking with the performance suspension is excellent, although the steering is a little quick at highway speeds. The car has been very reliable with the exception of brake pads and rotors that wore out prematurely (22K), a common Olds problem. For the money, this seemed to be the best choice at the time and nothing has made me question that decision. Too bad Olds is going away as whats left in GMs lineup for the foreseeable future doesnt do it for me.