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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  Very disappointed in my alero - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mad alero owner - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited when I bought my very first car, my Alero. One month later, i had to replace the security feature, 6 monthes later, my dash started to wilt from the sun (even with a window cover). Now, almost 1 1/2 years after my purchase, I have to have a cover for my dash because it looks so bad AND I have to air up my tires at least 2x a week because they keep losing air. Had it checked out and checked out again, they keep saying nothings wrong. Not even halfway in to my payments and Im looking for a new vehicle. I know one thing, it will not be an Alero.

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  Looks nice, but not a reliable ride - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Nothing_But_Bad_Luck - December 30 - 2:00 am

  Weve had nothing but bad luck with this vehicle. We purchased with only 12K miles and in the next 45K miles weve had a rebuilt transmission, a new transmission, a new radiator, a new water pump, a new alternator, problems with the fuel guage, etc. This vehicle still has less than 70K miles and weve had all these problems. Ive lost any hope that US automakers can build a quality product.

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  the real truth - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By cff - November 7 - 10:00 am

  It was a very good, reliable car except for rotor problems until the fourth year. After that it seemed like we had to go to the shop at least once every three months. The oil pump blew up, the engine is making a horrible noise that no one can correct, the "ride" has gotten progressively worse, the leather seats tore up in about two years, and the trade in value is horrible.

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  Dont Buy It - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Jery - October 22 - 5:20 am

  Bought the vehicle for my wife with 36,000 miles on it, and all I can say is thank God for the extended warranty. The all wheel drive started acting up soon after we got it. I have had to replace the whole front end, rear leaf springs, differential seals, crank seals, and they still cant figure out what is wrong with the electrical system or the A/C system. I have always been a GM guy but I must say if they keep building them like this I may have to switch. Looking forward to getting rid of this lemon. Take my word on this dont ever buy one of these SUVs. This thing also sucks down the gas, I get better economy out of my full size pick up truck.

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  Horrible Car. Dont buy Used. - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By jlsmith1215 - September 28 - 12:20 am

  Check engine, Service Vehicle, and Low Trac lights are on when start car up. Took car to a mechanic and he did a diagnosis check he says I need a new crank shaft senor. But turned around wasted $265.00 on the senor. Windshield wiper motor went out after a yr having it. 3 of the 4 windows work. Sometimes only 2 work. This Car SUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!! Do Not Buy This Car Used.

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  Poor Quality Brakes & Poor Customer Svc - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By jetpilot - September 19 - 10:00 am

  My Vehicle has just over 40,000 as well as a friends 2000 Bravada and we both have to replace brake rotors that are decintegrating. GM used poor quality bi-metal brake rotors that quickly rust in between metal layers causing the outer layers to separate and bad pulsing in the brakes. This rotors come from factory at their minimum thickness and can not be turned. Customer service denies any problem and totally unwilling to assist. Just ask your local Midas how many theyve seen.

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  It was a good car when I was 18! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Steph - September 11 - 10:53 am

  I have had this car for 5 years now. So far I have replaced the brakes/roters every year. I had to replace the radiator in 04. Recently it has been constantly overheating. I went in today and they told me the head was cracked and the pistons were loose! I have put more money in repairs then what I bought it for! Off to the dealership to by a different car!

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  piece of junk!!!! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jason5280 - August 13 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for two years, Ive replaced the starter, struts, battery, both windows (tracks and motors!!!!!). Now the head gasket is bad, (antifreeze leaking in the engine). Stay away from this car, it seemed like after I hit 65k miles, it took a nose dive.

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  BAD CAR - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By J.L - June 11 - 10:00 am

  BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC. 22O2 AND HAD TO PUT FRONT BRAKES ON. THEN BATTERY LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON THEN NOTHING. PUT ALT. ON $414.00 DOLLARS. THEN TWO DAYS LATER SAY THING. BROKE DOWN TWICE IN THREE DAYS WITH MY KIDS WITH ME. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. STILL DONT KNOW WHATS WRONG THIS TIME

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  Worst car ever! - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Greg - April 6 - 7:53 am

  This has been the worst car Ive ever owned. Im finally getting rid of it and going back to foreign. I seem to have to get it to the shop every month for work. To date, I think Ive put about $6-7k into it to keep it running and it still wont run right. Wants to hesitate and die when I give it gas, and you cant floor it or it dies completely. GM should be ashamed for producing garbage like this.