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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  Quick and Sweet - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By foxyfennec - October 3 - 5:43 am

  I have owned my Olds Alero Coupe for almost two years...Oldsmobiles were a family tradition, and I was pleased to be able to own this classy little car before Olds was canned for good. I favor the Alero because its not a dorky car, and its not a boring Honda/Toyota. Its exterior design has a lot of personality and class. I get a lot of looks of approval in my little gal, and shes as stock as the day I bought her! So far, I have had ZERO problems with this car. She is very reliable and so much fun to drive. The Alero is quite possibly the most underrated car of the decade. Needless to say, Ive gotten my moneys worth, and a whole lot more.

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  Looks and muscle arent everything. - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Folderol - September 29 - 10:00 am

  2 years ago this was exactly what I wanted: green,sleek,V6,alloy wheels and CD. Then problems started: first the heater/AC blower went. Then the blinkers cut out part of the time. Then the front rotors warped, were resurfaced under warrantee but warped again even worse and had to be replaced out of pocket. Acceleration, ride and handling are good but compared to my fiancees Jetta the brakes and steering are terribly numb and disconnected. Seats are comfy at first but after an hour my butt hurts. Overall, looks great inside and out but after a couple years the car grates on me. My next car will be an import, probably a Mazda.

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  This truck sucks - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By FormerGMOwners - September 26 - 10:00 am

  The transmission went out the first year we owned it. Everytime we take this vehicle in for servicing it is $500 plus! It never has run right and the dealer seems to have no clue re how to fix it. It only has a little over 60k miles and weve replaced the alternator, A/C compressor, transfer case, etc. The air bag light never goes off (indicating a malfunction that nobody can seem to find), speakers go off for no known reason. I dont know how well ever get rid of this POS unless we find someone who will push it off the side a cliff and we can collect some insurance $. We wouldnt have another GM product if given to us.

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  Oldsmobile Intrigue GLS - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Steven Jenn - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Overall Ive had a good experience, but lately ive started to have problems with it starting right away, so far ive paid over $200 to find out whats wrong and no one can tell me anything. They suggested that it had to do with fuel pressure and they said they have had problems like that with other Intrigues.

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  satisfied owner - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By bthompso_99 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought used two years old with 25,000 miles. Several problems while it was still under warranty. CD player was replaced, driver side window motor replaced, blower electrical controls replaced, cruise went out, rotor problem. No major problems since warranty expired. Other than these mostly electrical problems the car has been fun to drive and for the most part a reliable vehicle that met our needs. Traded it off for a larger vehicle with growing family. If not for the need of a larger vehicle we would have kept it for a few more years.

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  my van - 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By wildcat - September 22 - 12:10 pm

  I bought my van used the summer of 2004 and I love it. It is more stylish than the other vans on the road. It is very roomy. I took it on vacation a month after I got it and it go great gas mileage on a 600 mile trip and was very comfortable to drive.

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  Not just another Trailblazer - 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Eric - September 20 - 5:23 pm

  I will forever miss the Ninety-Eight, Rocket 455, Bravada and the Olds empire entirely. This is an underrated SUV that rarely gets mention as a result of its relatives from Chevy and GMC. Youll never ever mistake this for a Trailblazer if youve driven them both. A luxury AWD SUV that fits the wallet nicely. Despite claims, resale values remain superior to its brothers.

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  GREAT CAR, BUT NOT COOL - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By KENLINDO - September 20 - 10:00 am

  GETS GREAT GAS MILEAGE AND HAS NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL.

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  Pass It Up - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By oldswoe - September 19 - 7:50 am

  Definitely purchase an extended warranty if you get this car(luckily I did)! At 66,000 miles, I have made over $7,000 in repairs. The SmartTrak 4WD first didnt engage when needed, then always engaged. I also had the crankcase replaced, U joints, electrical problems, body problems (door hinges all became loose!) My 2002 Dodge Neon did much better in light snow that this! Never risk this purchase.

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  2001 ALERO - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Gayla Smith - September 17 - 11:33 pm

  Security light comes on and will start. This started off and on after the constant blinker noise that drives me nuts. The dealership supposedly fixed the blinker, the very next day is started doing it all over again and now the security light comes on and the car WILL not start! Called GM they said they have no issues or complaints about this! No recalls ! I have numerous other issues but this is the main one.. NOT reliable and will never buy GM again!