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:

• 

  SUV of your Dreams! - 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By DragonStorm - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I loved my 93 so much that I went out and traded it in for a newer one. This truck has it all: leather, console shift, DEPENDABLE SmartTrack system (57,000 and not a problem yet), awesome sound system, wood trim, the list goes on.

• 

  Great car - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Steven Dessauer - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I have for it for 2 years with no troubles great car!!!!!

• 

  Bravada, Edsel and Me - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By proofed - June 16 - 9:33 am

  Back again, To all of you that wrote those glowing reviews, I salute you and your luck. I do believe you are living in denial,however but that is my opinion. I have to tell the truth, yes, it is a beautiful car with luxury appointments etc and was wonderful for the two weeks that I didn;t have to work on it. It shines like a new penny, the leather is soft, but if it sits in your drive looking pretty, it is like a trophy wife who chooses to sleep on the couch. As I type, I have spent another night tracing ground faults, bad parts, and now suspect the keyremote unit for some of this. I already had it to the eletrician for a week and $500, who fixed only the low voltage standard for the engine

• 

  Lemon? - 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass
  By millems - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Unfortunately this vehicle has been one significant expense after another. Have spent a lot (on numerous occasions) on brakes (ABS issues, rotors, etc). Also replaced upper/lower gasket intakes. Too many costly repairs for a 1998 with only ~78,000 miles...

• 

  I love my Bravada!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By J.N. - June 13 - 10:00 am

  This is our first SUV. I was hesitant because I expected it to ride like a truck. It rides better than a car! Such a smooth, quiet ride. I feel so comfy in the soft leather seats. My co- workers always ask me to drive when we go to lunch because they love it too!

• 

  Buy it and youll regret it deeply - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By loupie1 - June 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 2002 GL2 4dr V6. While it handled quite well and had decent ride, it was typical GM junk. I cant stress enough the poor reliability of the car, but more importantly, the blatant disregard GM has for its customers. They DO NOT stand behind their questionable products. For example, brake rotors went at 19k miles while brake pads were not half worn. GM refused to pay. Ditto for intake manifold. I traded the PoS in, taking a heavy loss while doing so because it has the worst depreciation record of ALL compact sedans. Im in a Mazda 6 now and love it. GM will not get another penny from me.

• 

  Whole family satisfaction - 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By mmcorkins - June 7 - 10:00 am

  Loaded with options, this minivan has been an excellent way to hit the highway with the whole family. Lots of cubbys, cupholders, and well placed controls keeps this vehicles occupants happy and content.

• 

  Love my Olds - 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
  By Love my olds - June 4 - 9:36 am

  Is it a brand new car with all the bells and whistles? No! But my car has never left me stranded and it has treated us right from day 1! I will not get rid of this car till it has had enough of us! Ours has 150,000 miles and its still runs like brand new! I wish I could find another one!

• 

  2002 Alero Sedan GLS - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By John62 - May 30 - 10:00 am

  I have rented the Alero 5 times while on business. I needed a second family car. I like the features for the price. I compared this car to the Grand AM and other similar foreign cars. I purchased the GLS will all the options and the 6 cyl motor. The performance and suspension options make this car perform better than most of the cars in the price category.

• 

  Great Car - 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue
  By sublioel - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Many people when they think of Oldsmobile as a slow old mans car, yet at 16 years of age, many teenagers oooooh and aaahh over many of its great features. Im a very satisfied owner.