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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  Solid Feeling Car - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By luckybuck - December 1 - 10:00 am

  The car has a surprisingly solid feel. With all the rebates and incentives I feel i got a great deal!

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  engine - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By dl - November 28 - 5:50 am

  nice looking vehicle, owned a 1999 Bravada purchased a 2002 in June 2002 great looks and extended warranty. Major computer problems, dealer replaced computer chips 3 times and eventually engine failed and had to be replced due to broken cylender sleve, also module for power seat failed.

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  OldmoJOKE - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By idiots - November 25 - 2:57 pm

  Whoever came up with the vehicle assembly on this car should be punched square in the pants. No matter what you need to get to on the car, theres something in the way. I have to fix something in it at least every two weeks. The struts have gone out twice since i got it 3 years ago. All in all, I would suggest staying as far away as possible.

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  Best vehicle I ever owned - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Deloris Kotowske - November 23 - 10:00 am

  Love my Olds Silhouette and would buy another one if they were still making them. I tell everyone how absolutely wonderful this vehicle is. Economical on gas, comfortable for traveling and my grandkids love riding in it. Easy to get into and out of which is an especially nice feature for older folks and those with certain back problems. No tugging to pull yourself up and out of the seat to exit the vehicle. Plus ease of motion to get into the vehicle. What a shame this awesome vehicle has been dis- continued. I have about 128,00 miles with nominal repairs. What a blessing financially that is in this day and age with repair bills soaring out of site. Fantastic mode of transportation.

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  Great Great buy!!! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ms C - November 20 - 6:17 pm

  My car has 283000 miles and still going!! The horn doesnt work!! Only had to get general maintenance! ! Got to get another car because of the rust underneath!! Purchase the car in 2006 with 75000 miles

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  update to rattle complaint - 2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By bill duncan - November 19 - 2:00 am

  complained about metallic rattle left front quarter. got shop forman to ride with me-heard it and gave it to suspension guy and fixed it. repairman said it was a front sway bar noise. they replaced both front stabilizer links and noise is gone. might hold on to the olds until something else goes wrong. ive had a number of little things go wrong. the dealer always fixes it for free but im getting tired of taking it in.

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  Sorry to see them go! - 2003 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Mickeys Mom - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The first time I laid eyes on the Aurora was at the auto show. I was leaving the Lexus exhibit and thought it was one of their cars. The minute I saw it I knew it was the car for me. After checking the price I was sold. 12 weeks later I was driving my factory order 4.0. I love driving my car. It really handles the road well. There are two things that I am not happy with however, the cup holder and the CIS. The cupholder is set at an odd angle and the CIS warning system frequently goes off for no reason and must be reset at the dealership.

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  Very Satisfied - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Quite Content - November 19 - 2:00 am

  After reading other reviews, I was stunned that people were disappointed after owning this vehicle. Mind you, this vehicle is not for everyone. But my wife and I were looking for a comfortable midsize SUV that did not have a third row. The Bravada is extremely comfortable and easy in its ride.

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  problems - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Gabbert - November 17 - 10:00 am

  only problem I have had was with bad gas,so the ports had to be cleaned out three times.once in arizona then twice in park ridge il.

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  Love the Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Darina Popova - November 15 - 9:46 pm

  This is the best car I have bought ever. I was worried about the gas costs and the power but it has worked out great.