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:

• 

  Problems with Security System - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By voiceinharmony - August 22 - 9:20 am

  I bought my car used with 25K on it. It has great power when you drive it but does not give very good gas mileage, about 28 mpg. After it hit 60K I started having problems with the Security System. Basically, my car could start. I was able to find out in the Manual that it has a Pass Lock Safety Lock. So in order to start the car you have to leave it on for 10 minutes on the ON ignition key. So far Ive heard it may take $300 to fix the problem. I also have a click, click sound on my signals that wont go away.

• 

  it so rocks - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By ajgrant - August 19 - 2:00 am

  this car is so sweet ok bose stereo system made it fun, plus its pick up and go. its beautiful on the outside and comfy and convienient on the inside i love this car

• 

  Had to have it - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mando172000 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR IS SO MUCH FUN TO DRIVE, MINE IS RED AND I GET COMPLIMENTS ALL THE TIME. IT LOOKS VERY SLEEK AND HANDELS WELL. IT IS SPORTY AND COMFORTABLE AT THE SAME TIME. I AM VERY PICKY ABOUT CARS AND I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN.

• 

  oldsmobile - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By keisha 101 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  i love the car it is build exstrodinatley and it drives great it hardly ever need tune ups or anything iot is g reat car and i recommend it to anyone

• 

  YOULL BE SORRY............I WAS !!!!!!! - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By kuld@N.J - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Where do I start???It all started at 7000 miles.Matter a fact,it is still going on.The car was to the dealer about 13 times already.The problems were;check engine light(dealer said it was only gas cap problem,The next day I broke down on the highway.It turns out the guts inside the catalitic converter broke apart.It took 9 trips to the dealer to figure that one out and a lawyer.When that went so did the muffler.The light came on again,this time oxygen sensors blew.From there on the car has been back for a alternator,door gasket,gas cap problems and a fan motor next week.

• 

  In too deep... - 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By rflores7 - August 14 - 3:53 pm

  It all started when a girl wrecked into me and the insurance money got me a 1999 Oldsmobile Cutlass. The gypsy dealer was selling it for 3800 and i got it for 2800 with 108K. My friends dad (also a mechanic) warned me about this car being a lemon but i didnt believe him and it was a bad choice on me. In order...brakes, tires, pulley tensioner, water pump, head gasket, spark plugs and wires 2x, alternator, and now the A/C has gone out. Ive spent 3Gs on the car and it doesnt even include the $1,500 rims, new headlights, complete stereo system. Im at 125K and im afraid of more things going wrong and Im only 18 going to college! Stay away from this car!!!

• 

  strong car! - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By aadil3 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  My Intrigue now has 132,000 miles on it and it is running perfectly. Dont have any problems with it and it handles well on the road. The drive is smooth and has plenty of low end power.

• 

  I love it but need something bigger! - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By amys alero - August 5 - 8:43 pm

  I bought my Oldsmobile Alero used with 15,000 miles on it. It has great power with the V6 engine! I love the look and the drive. The gas mileage is about 20 mpg around town. It seems I stop twice a week for gas! The trunk space is huge! Has a great factory sound system. It is comfortable on long rides! The only problem has been with the CV joint (it still need to be replaced). It causes an annoying knocking if I am on a bumpy road or turning. The interior quality is ok, except for the power source cover is made of weak plastic and has broken from use. It hangs off if opened. I need a bigger car for my larger family! This car does not have much backseat legroom due to long legged drivers. When people tell me my lights are on I love to say "Thats Ok. They go off automatically!"

• 

  Were Did the Value Go? - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By rep515 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I love my 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue; however, the value of this car has bottomed out! My friends 99 Kia Sportage (built in Korea) has held its value better than my Intrigue. I dont expect a car to hold its value for ever, but I do expect it to be worth more than $6500 with only 42k miles on it. Maybe I should by a Hyundia next time instead of a GM.

• 

  Love this car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Ananuri - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Great car for the price. Ive got mine for over 2 years now, and love it. Yes, I needed to change rotors during the first month (done under warranty, got brand new ones), but after that it has been excellent. Car looks great, V6 is excellent, and with 16-inch alloy weels and wide tires, it has better moves than many other, more expensive vehicles. I dont believe they are closing Oldsmobile.