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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  1999 Cutlass GL sedan - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By amanda - September 14 - 11:23 am

  I have had my car almost 2 years now. It has 180,000 miles on it we have had it to Florida 4 times, Louisville several. The car still runs like a new one. I see all these bad things wrong with these on here. I guess I just got a good one the only major problem we have had is the intake gasket small problem. Didnt take but $200 to fix. Seems like these people all just got a lemon.

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  Oldsmobile should have tried harder - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By michael70 - September 12 - 1:53 pm

  The Aurora was built to save Olds. They should have done a better job because they had the right idea with this car, but the reliability just isnt there. I bought it in 2006 with only 27k miles. It looks spectacular, it drives smoothly and handles great. However, dont buy this car without a warranty. I love Olds, but I still cant get over the leaking radiator fluid, bad window motor, and faulty EBCM, which lights up your instrument panel like a Christmas tree with all the warnings. It will prevent you from passing a safety inspection. Oh and forget about getting any navigation CD updates. They stopped making them.

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  Highly satisfied - great vehicle - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By K. Buck - September 10 - 5:50 pm

  Excellent vehicle to own. Never had any problems with it. Completely reliable. Excellent gas mileage. Built in entertainment system has been great for the kids and allows them to use game systems.

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  Good bang for the buck - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By bandd - September 7 - 10:00 am

  Bought it in 1998 with 16K miles. Transmission went out at 40K. Luckily, with a lot of complaining, GM put a new one in for free (kudos GM). It now has 104K and Ive replaced break pads, belt tensioner and the water pump. After the tranny, it wasnt too bad. I like the way it drives. Its great in the snow. Cant say I would buy another one because the reliability is suspect but I enjoy mine now. Plan on driving it till it dies. Everything is working great now...knock on wood.

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  Good So Far... - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By kugrad07 - September 7 - 3:13 am

  The Alero is a good handling car with great looks, but it is notorious for brake problems. Its almost time for my second brake replacement at only 55,000 miles! Fixes also very expensive in comparison to other cars in same class.

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  Bravada Fan - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bill from NJ - September 5 - 10:33 am

  I have enjoyed my Bravada since the day I bought it. I bought it with 23000 miles approximately and it now has 60000 miles on it 6 years later. I love this car.

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  Fun car to Drive - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Love this car - September 3 - 1:53 pm

  Got this car in 2001. Love to drive it, love the looks I get. It handles great. I have the 3.4 lt and its fun. The seats are so comfortable (leather) that I really enjoy long trips. Trunk is very spacious and the rear seats fold down for the longer stuff. Have not had any major problems. Those other people must have gotten lemons to have so many problems or they beat it to death. A car has to be taken care of not abused to keep it in good shape and running nice. I would buy another one. But I dont want to sell the one I have any time soon.

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  A great all-around car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By W. Tersch - August 26 - 9:50 pm

  I bought my Alero certified used five years ago, and it remains a beautiful and practical car inside and out. Low mileage Oldsmobile are one of the best bargains out there and have served several friends well too. I replaced a power steering pump and a ventilation resistor under warranty, and a small screw cover fell off, but other than that, smooth sailing for daily driving and road trips after 70k miles. This car handles Chicago winters well with its wide tires, front wheel drive, traction control, and ABS. Still in love with it!

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  Nice luxery for the price - 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By JKM - August 26 - 2:00 am

  This is the first Oldsmobile I purchased. It rides and handles well. Nice gas mileage.

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  Wonderful Car - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Zam4psu - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My mother purchased a 2000 Alero GL2 almost 4 years ago and I loved it so much that when I finally needed a new car I went right back to the dealership we always go to and purchased one for myself. My 2003 Alero GLS 2-door is a wonderful car that rides, drives, and performs beautifully! I did try several other cars out before I made my final decision by the Alero was the only car that I completely happy with every aspect of it. Too bad GM has decided to take eliminate Oldsmobile, I would definitely have purchased another new Alero in the future!