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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  Dependable - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By KYLady - August 29 - 12:30 am

  I recieved my Alero after my mother got a new car, and to date I have put 210,000 miles on the car and it is still running great.

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  Still Kickin - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By GIVUS - August 27 - 3:20 pm

  Car has over 170K miles. Its sat in a garage for six months, 12 months, and 15 months while on deployments - and started right back up with no problems on my returns. Electrical system is problematic (but not major), and the turning radius is huge, but it is a very dependable and durable automobile. I bought an Acura as a potential repacement in 2003 - and it only has 8K (mainly from relocating from TX to NC to KS). Deploying again in June, and confident itll be fine sitting for another year waiting for me. I had a 90 Cutlass Calais before this and was impressed enough to buy this in 98. No regrets.

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  I love my car, but....... - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By tbone420 - August 26 - 10:03 am

  Very fun to drive and gets good mileage, but have had annoying probs. Window on driver side fell in door, rotors and brakes go once a year, power lock thing on driver door fell in, I could go on but Ill spare ya. Overall, it is a good vehicle. Cheaply made, but good in the snow and good on the gas.

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  Alero Rocks! - 2001 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Rickarama - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Handles well, looks good in the driveway. What more can you ask for in car in this class?

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  2002 Oldsmobile Alero GL2 4-dr 3.4 V6 - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By grwulff - August 11 - 11:03 am

  got it for cheep so i wasnt expecting much. very smooth. excellent handling for its weight. the engine technology is lacking though. the 3.4L V6 has only one intake and one exhaust valve so performance and fuel economy are not the greatest for the engine size. it is also a cast iron block in stead of an Aluminum one which increases weight and reduces power. it also shifts rather high for my taste, also reducing fuel economy. i would love this car much more if it came with a manual transmission.

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  Great Car But Problematic - 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By DHillery - August 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is a joy to drive and will get looks. Sad to see it go -the Grand Prix doesnt compare to the interior styling. GLS only (leather heated seats, On-star). Lots of electrical problems. In for repairs 9 times in 3 years - all electrical. Would only get again w/ extendend warranty.

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  bravada - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By rickm - July 27 - 10:00 am

  its been a great vehicle. the smart trac is really nice. could be a little better on gas fuel economy, city 16 and highway 18.

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  I love my olds!!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By t.j. - July 27 - 10:00 am

  My intrigue with 5600 miles is doing great.I wish the interior trim pcs were better fitting.The car is Fun to Drive and Gets Good gas miliage.All options work good and have had no problems yet!

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  Constant Repairs - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Lynn M. - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Entire dashboard had to be replaced at 36K miles ($693); vinyl peeling off. Replaced the cruise ctrl switch at 37K miles ($151). Replaced the brakes & rotors at 41K miles ($251). Car stereo system at 45K miles ($400). New motor for pwr window at 50K miles ($500). Replaced water pump at 53K miles ($695). Replaced 2 more power window motors at 58K miles ($1K). Love the way the car drives & gas mileage, but repairs are more than any car I have ever owned. A person who takes as good of a car as I do shouldnt be having all of these problems.

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  This thing just wont quit - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Nick - July 10 - 8:41 pm

  Bought my red 2 door alero for dirt cheap and it had next to nothing for the miles (114,000) for the GM 3.4 thats nothing!! The ride of the vehicle could be better but the handling is fantastic! Acceleration is really good probably because I have the 3.4, sorry for you 4 cyl out there lol. The safety of this car is amazing for such a little car, took a lifted Dodge Ram head on I really thought this car was going to the junkyard but nope I slapped a new hood bumper and fender on and it drove like new! This car does go through brakes pads and rotors pretty often ( replaced 3 times already mileage is only at 145,000) and when they were replaced it still squeaked when drove (annoyed the hell outta me but hey the car still stopped) also the car goes through tires quickly too ( also my 3rd set 30,000 miles) you really need to keep up with the maintenance on this vehicle and she should last you a very long time! My advise to you if youre looking to purchase one is make sure its been maintained pretty well or it will be a nightmare