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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  98 Bravada - 1998 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By hd72 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Bravada, my other one, a 1993 (gets much better mileage by the way) perfect size for our family, not too big and bulky like the surbaban and fords the confort is exceptional and the drivability is great, plenty of power for the mountains of Colorado and the stytle to go with it, my only negative is gas milage <16 MPG

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  My really used Ciera Wagon X fleet - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By Sean 418 - July 31 - 1:13 am

  In June of 2007, I purchased a 1996 Olds Ciera Wagon on auction from Suffolk County. I bought it because I like station wagons and my 1989 Celebrity wagon was dead. This car has been excellent. After dropping in a new battery and having the oil and fluids changed, I have not had a single problem. Not bad for a vehicle I spent $410. on. Gets me back and forth no problem. May not be the most stylish thing on the road, but that is what I have my 2000 Intrigue and 1968 Chevy Biscayne for. It is like having a van, that is what I use it as. I also use it for work. Love this car. Would buy another one.

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  Headache! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Michelle - July 28 - 12:43 pm

  Needless to say, this car is starting to spend more time in the shop than on the road. I just got a new transmission but this jerking issue still persists. The brakes continue to be a problem. We have had to fix the window on the driver side and recall for the hazard lights. This good looking car is a real mess! If anyone has the opportunity to by an Alero, run the other way. There is a good reason why they stopped making this car!

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  Good car! - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By ndiff - July 26 - 10:00 am

  Good car for a good price. This car is very reliable and fun to drive. It is also very accepting of audio modifications. It has an oversized trunk and 16 inch wheels. The car handles well and I have not put any money in it except for brakes. Brakes are a notorious problem in this type of car.

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  Great car - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By jon - July 25 - 6:16 am

  This is a good strong car built by GM. Ive driven it to the ground and have had to replace rotors, a/c and a few electrical components. Its definitely a well-built car. Ive experienced some problems mentioned by other people here, such as the peeling dash, and some paint problems on the hood, but otherwise Im satistied with the car. In town mpg is about 20 when I drive like a madman, but on the highway i get closer to 36mpg. Pretty good for a car with decent umph. Steering, throttle and breaks a lot more responsive than many japanese cars that ive drive.

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  Touring Champ - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Touring Fool - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Great car. V6 is a gem of performance and economy. I gave up only 2 MPG (to 23-24 MPG) around town going from a 4- cyl to this car, and get similar freeway mileage (30-32MPG at 70-75mph). Interior design is great; nice touches with the steering wheel audio controls and dual zone automatic AC. Power heated leather is very comfortable (drove 5400 miles over two weeks this past summer). Downside is typical GM trim panel loosening with age (dash squeak) and large seams between panels. The handling and ride compromise is unbeatable - cruises in comfort over rough pavement at speed but encourages getting off the freeway in search of a twisty two lane.

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  Good Car - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Rick - July 17 - 12:13 pm

  I love my Alero, I did have some brake issues at first, but GM replaced the brakes and rotors and I have not had any problems since. I have over 70,000 miles and love the 2.4L engine. I just replaced the original tires. Overall this is a good car.

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  I love my Alero! - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tldore - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I really like my 99 Alero..but i am a bit worried aobut what i have read regarding the brakes..cause i noticed the brakes in mine didnt seem to be very good when i first tried it out, but I just fell in love with the outside design of car. I have the gold edition, 4 cylinder and i think its beautiful and fun to drive. I think Oldsmobile means good quality too.

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  I love my Intrigue by Dr. Oldsmobile - 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Sean418 - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used, as I do with all my cars. This is an excellent car. It makes me so sad that Oldsmobile and especially Intrigue are going away. What a shame that others out there will never get the chance to have a smooth running fantastic car like this. Mine is dark blue and I love everthing about it. Here it is 6 months and not one problem I do not know why people say that GM does not build great cars. This is my 8th GM car and I would never buy another make.

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  Left GM for Volvo - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By SJD - July 10 - 2:06 pm

  Bought car new. At 8,000 4 new rotors. Just after warranty (37k miles) intake manifold gasket to be replaced! Fuel injectors clog too easily. Never had a car with so many injector problems! Seemed to be in for repair more than I care to count! The straw to break the camels back came at 143k miles with a rod breaking off the camshaft - hmm $5000 to replace engine or buy a Volvo s60 -- that answer is easy! No more gm cars in this house. Not when only a class-action lawsuit might get me a few of the $500 I paid for the intake gasket replacement! If gm goes under, I would not regret it!