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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  99 Olds Alero 4 door 4cyl - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Bob - August 3 - 5:40 am

  I bought the car when I was 17 and beat it to poo. In the three years I owned it I put on 77,000 miles on top of the 45,000. I only had a few problems. It started without the key, gas gauge stopped working along with overflow every time I filled up, tranny slipped when I stomped on the gas. I never put any money into it, I traded it in for $500

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  Dont even hesitate to buy one. - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By PatrickD844 - July 27 - 6:53 am

  I have owned my 2004 Alero for just over 3 years now. I bought it barely used with 15k on it, and now it has about 58k. It has been an exceptional car, starting every single time, and never letting me down. The only times its been in the shop have been for maintenance/wear and tear items. A very well made car, and well worth the money I paid for it.

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  My 2001 Olds Alero - Reposession - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Cedar Park - July 26 - 3:33 pm

  I bought a 2001 Olds Alero GLS in 2005. Ive seen the complaints about Aleros and I have changed or repaired things. My repo had 87K miles when I bought it in 2005. Now 127K. Ive replaced or repaired the following items: Motor performance computer, interior computer, remote keyless receiver, replaced fuel intake gaskets, replaced A/C compressor, plus I removed the AM/FM/CD radio and bought two extra ones off e-bay ($9.00 each). I cobbled best parts off two and put on the best one. Sold the others on e-bay for $45. Thats about it. I did all of the work and bought all parts on e-bay or discount GM dealer on-line for at least 50% discount. 26-32 mpg. This car just keeps running. No oil use.

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  500 miles plus - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By daily runner - July 20 - 3:26 pm

  My Car with @200,450 miles on still runs strong. 500 hundred miles a week I drive commuting to work, and still feel satisfied on the way it handles, and performs.

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  Nice Investment - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Drew Anderson - July 20 - 1:23 pm

  I bought my Alero brand new, and loved it. I got it fully loaded so it makes the car a lot nicer. The only thing thats ever gone wrong for me was the Trans and I had a clogged cat. I replaced the Trans and just put a straight pipe over the cat so its all good. Still love this car and everything i got with it.

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  Initial Impressions - 1996 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight
  By Fred B - July 11 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased with under 55k on the odometer. Love that LSS supercharged motor! Handles fine for the barge that it is. Comfortable, tons of room front and back, has leather and sunroof, CD, etc....but Im still wishing for heated seats and a CD CHANGER. Ive heard GM made one thats compatible with the single CD/cassette/AM-FM stereo, guess Ill look on Ebay for one!

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  No more GM cars! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Luke - July 10 - 12:26 pm

  Bought this car used at about 60,000 miles and have put on another 60,000 driving to school/work. Driving and fuel efficiency arent bad (although theres a big difference between winter and summer MPGs), but maintenance is a constant headache. I was actually vindicated to read on some of these other reviews about problems Ive had: the leaky gasket issue, wheel bearings, starters, etc. Overall a sub-par vehicle which was obviously designed to last about 70-80 thousand miles and then be thrown away. Next car: something dependable like a Toyota or Honda - if my Alero is still worth anything at trade in when I can finally pay off the loan, that is.

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  Good car - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By the - July 9 - 10:00 am

  Good car, have not had any problems and enjoy driving. Is somewhat noisy on the interstate.

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  Grreat car - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Duaner1955 - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Have had the vechile for a month now, and its been great. Extremely happy with the very peppy 4-cyc engine and great gas mileage.. 35+ so far. Love the look and feel of it, as it handles like a sports car. Should have bought it a year ago, instead of putting more money into my old caravan.

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  Dependable Car - 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By cliftsnew - July 4 - 12:33 am

  I purchased this vehicle July 2004, and it has been a great vehicle. I purchased the vehicle with 73,000 miles on it, and it now has over 170,000 miles on it. The only problems I have had were with the brakes, because of exposure to the elements. Besides this I have had no problems. I use Mobile 1 synthetic oil, so tried to maintain it. Word of advice when you need to replace oxygen sensor do so immediately otherwise you may have to pay in the long run. I did not change mine for almost a year and it made other problems arise, but not till now, so I think this has been a great vehicle. If you find one used purchase it as soon as possible.