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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  Run Away - 1997 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By zerosoma33 - March 30 - 1:23 am

  The only redeeming factor of my Bravada ownership was that I paid $700 for it and was able to use it during one harsh winter season. At the tail end of January, however, all of that ended for this vehicle. 123,000 miles. What a nightmare. Engine knock. Had it looked at, said it was the belts but didnt need to be replaced immediately. It also shut off sometimes while in reverse. One frosty January night the vehicle quit accelerating and wouldnt turn back on. I coasted it to a parking lot and had it towed. Flywheel broke off and damaged internal parts. Ruined the transmission. Now the vehicle will start but will not shift. Keys get stuck in ignition. Engine grinds like a lawnmower.

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  Hunk Of Scrap! GM are theives to have even marketed this DEATH TRAP!!! - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By alderozrjunk - March 29 - 8:20 am

  This is the worst POS on the planet. This was Oldsmobiles last car before they went belly up and I now know why. I bought it used three years old and have had nothing but problem after problem from the front bumper to the rear bumper. Too many problems to name but I will say this. The guy who sold me this POS knew what a Death Trap and it was when he sold it and got his eyes blackened and a broken nose in return after it landed me in the ditch over a mechanical issue that was recalled by GM! I bought it used so there was nothing I could do about it as the "class action lawsuit" in which the lawyers got everything and the owners got nothing was resolved. I WILL NEVER BUY A GM PRODUCT AGAIN!

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  Works like a Truck - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Carol P - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my van..didnt think I would but I do...Its the car when a group of us go out to dinner so we can all be together...and (with the rear seat out) it hauls anything I need it to from furniture to my 2 golden retreivers...and 10 feet of pvc pipe too!

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  Very disappointed in my alero - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By mad alero owner - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited when I bought my very first car, my Alero. One month later, i had to replace the security feature, 6 monthes later, my dash started to wilt from the sun (even with a window cover). Now, almost 1 1/2 years after my purchase, I have to have a cover for my dash because it looks so bad AND I have to air up my tires at least 2x a week because they keep losing air. Had it checked out and checked out again, they keep saying nothings wrong. Not even halfway in to my payments and Im looking for a new vehicle. I know one thing, it will not be an Alero.

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  What a deal..... - 2004 Oldsmobile Alero
  By vodie - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I needed to replace a mini-van that was worn out and I was plain tired of minivans. Honda Element... too wierd, Honda Civic..too small, Accord...too $$. I have owned a couple Hondas and they have the occasional quality issue anemic heaters etc. A used car lot had a Buick Rendez. and noticed a dozen 2004 Alero program cars. They were clean, comfortable, and CHEAP. I got an 6cyl, with ABS, power seat, CD and wing. Hey this is comfy and I was out the door for $11000 and they took my Chevy APV with a bad tranny on trade. The Alero is nice, ABS is good compared to the unrefined ABS Chevy put in the APV in 1995. There is a fit problem with the center dash vent. I am HAPPY and NOT car poor.

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  maybe mines a lemon? - 2000 Oldsmobile Alero
  By texweber - March 25 - 2:00 am

  Id had my eye on Aleros for quite awhile, and was very impressed with how affordable they were and the features that were included. I have a 2000 model with about 65K on it, and unfortunately have spent too much money on all kinds of maintenance problems. Less than a year into the buy I had to have the rotors and tires replaced, and a year after that Im in a world of hurt with a new thermostat and potentially a gasket leak. Its fun to drive, and Ive been more than happy with it up til recently, but dont have a lot of faith in it anymore. Maybe its just the V6, but I cant keep gas in the thing either.

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  Excellence with the Alero - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By nosralj - March 25 - 2:00 am

  After leasing an Alero in 99, I bought another 4 door GX in 2002, but this one was a manual. This car was a steal and with the rebates I was able to get it for $17k. The car drives beautifully and gives off a solid feel. I had minimum problems only having problems with the backseat door paneling pealing due to the extreme Arizona heat. If Im ever in an accident, I have the confidence that the other car wont punch a hole in the Alero like paper machete. With its sporty exterior and manual transmission to boot, provides me the pleasure of driving a sport car at a reasonable price. Great car.

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  Awesome Aurora - 1999 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Kubes - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this Aurora since 8/2002 and have had no problems. 25k when purchased and 50k currently. V8 growls with plenty of power, gas mileage is not bad for a V8, approx. 21mpg. Stereo is very nice, heated seats are awesome, tons of room in the back seats, power seats are nice. Only problem is very little headroom in front drivers seat, Ive adjusted the seats as many ways as imaginable and just make it...Im only 6? Otherwise, awesome car!

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  GLS is the best - 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
  By goin comando - March 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is fabulous. It handles beautifully, its comfotable, sporty, and fast. NONE better...

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  I love it! - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By MFB - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Between the GM Mastercard rebate and the dealer discounts, I could have bought two-three Aleros for one import. This GLS with the handling package, radio upgrade, minus the tail fin is a clean looking flawless fun to drive car. I cruises the turnpike at 80 with power to spare and plenty of comfort. With the 5 year GM warranty it will be hard to find an excuse to trade it early. This is the best car I have ever owned!