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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  Typical GM Quality - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By GMCustomerNoMore - July 10 - 11:33 am

  The one thing I can count on with the Alero is that Ill have to spend $600 every year to replace a wheel speed sensor. The brake rotors warp, it has hard starting, it needed a head gasket replacement, it has shaky side mirrors, it has a terrible front cup holder design, and now it has an intermittent power window problem with the drivers door. These problems have all piled up to ensure that my next car will not be from GM. At least my car is stylish (okay, for 2001 maybe), fun to drive, peppy, and has never left me stranded at the side of the road (knock on wood). I dont know why GM insists on using replacement wheel speed sensors with the same defect as the original, and why they cant make the 3.4L start like every other car -- only 2-3 seconds of cranking!

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  A good first car, does have some known issues. - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By n8ech - July 9 - 5:50 am

  We have two Aleros in our family. Our daughter drives an 01, and I just pickes up an 02 for our son. The Alero is a decent sized comfortable car with quite a few amenties for the money. We paid $4800 for the 01 with 74k 1 owner, and $3700 for the 02 with 55k one owner as well I should add the 02 has some hail damage and needed the lower intake gasket replaced. Both have leather and a power driver seat. Given a choice, the 3.4L V6 is the better engine even considering the gasket issue. I am getting 30 mpg highway

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  Why ME!!! - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By OLDSMAN24 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle reminds me of wacthing Tom Hanks in the Money Pit. Every time you touch something or push a pedal.. something else breaks. Why Me? What have i done to deserve this. In all honesty it makes it to college and back, about 600K round trip. So i did not complain untill the trans, struts, calipers,fuel pump, alternator,ignition coils,and head decided to go all at 115K. Good luck and the devil have mercy on your oldsmobile.

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  Not Bad for the price... - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Davidaz85 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Im an 18 year-old teenager who drives alot. Olds are usually for older people and that is what I thought until I drove it. It has great sound, power, handling, and is a good car.

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  Not all its cut up to be - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By maznwmn - July 6 - 11:30 am

  I bought this car used. It had 120k miles on it. After 4 months the engine blew. We had issues with it wanting to overheat when stopping & going. Issues with the abs light having a mind of its own. Replaced brakes twice in 6 months. Squealy brakes constantly. Think twice before buying this car.

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  I Love My Aurora - 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Olds Fan - July 6 - 10:00 am

  The Aurora is a wonderful driving experience. Our Dealership is very customer oriented. My husband has purchased Olds for over fifty years. The only thing I would change (and this is true of other brands I have been in also) is the noise from the air conditioning and heater. Why cant this be remedied?

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  Good Solid Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By Makfu - July 6 - 10:00 am

  A nice solid car. Not the most exciting ride, but reliable and capable. Excellent 3.5l 24v shortstar V6 has power to spare when coupled with the GLSs better ratios. Excellent steering, predictable handling and rock-solid unibody.

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  scrap metal - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By majjg - July 6 - 10:00 am

  50,000 highway miles and nothing but problems. This is a great vehicle if you know a great mechanic! It rides like a ratteling peice of scrap metal too. It great to note that in a few years when Olds stop making cars it wont be worth anything either. GM should get its act together. !

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  Nice Vehicle Thus Far - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Margaret - July 6 - 4:00 am

  I purchased my used 2000 Alero GLS in July 2005. I have all of the service records and the only problem I have, thus far, is the peeling of the door handles. There was only one previous owner and the car is under an extended warranty. When I initially purchased it, there were approximately 43,000 miles on it. Not bad for a 2000 car of any sort. I paid cash for it and it is definitely a nice ride for the money (I could never afford a brand new one). I was also a previous Honda owner (Value Package sedan). I like my choice. It has a lot more features than the Honda or any other car I have owned. I am going to stick it out! I think GM should definitely stay keep the Alero.

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  No Problems! - 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By drorb - July 3 - 10:00 am

  The 4.0 V8 is a dream for those of us who suffered throught the Rice Rockets of the 70s. The engine runs on all grades of gasoline with appropriate performance. Not a sports car, but plenty of guts for passing and accelerating.