If you are in the market for a used Oldsmobile vehicle, it may be that you have considered a Certified Pre-Owned, or CPO, vehicle. CPO programs allow owners of used cars to drive with confidence, knowing that their vehicle has been inspected and repaired by professionals before ever hitting the lot. These cars usually come with an extended warranty and other benefits like roadside assistance.
Oldsmobile does not currently offer a Certified Pre-Owned car program because it is currently no longer in operation, and its models are too old to be covered by its parent company, General Motors. Read on to learn more about Oldsmobile.
Company history
Oldsmobile was founded in 1897, when it was called Olds Motor Vehicle Company, named after the founder, Ransom E. Olds. In 1908, the company was purchased by General Motors, who owned it for the duration of its life. The Oldsmobile Curved Dash was the first mass-produced car ever, and was actually the first car to be produced on an automotive assembly line, despite claims that it was Ford that did this first.
Throughout its lifetime, Oldsmobile was one of the most successful car manufacturers of its time. They pioneered four-speed semi-automatic transmissions in the 1930s, and automatic transmissions in the 1940s. By the 1970s and 1980s, Oldsmobile was one of the most popular vehicles to ever have been made. By the 1990s, other General Motors divisions began to out-sell the long-standing powerhouse.
In 2000, General Motors announced that the Oldsmobile line would be shutting down. Their final production was in 2004, with the end of the Alero compact car. When this happened, Oldsmobile was the oldest surviving American automobile brand, and the fourth oldest in the entire world.
Used Oldsmobile value.
Buyers who still wish to own an Oldsmobile vehicle can purchase them used from dealers. At the time of this article in April 2016, a used 2004 Oldsmobile Alero is valued between $1,248 and $2,661 on Kelley Blue Book. While used cars haven’t been inspected like a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle, or come with the extended warranty offered to CPO vehicles, this is still a valid option for those who wish to drive an Oldsmobile.
In any case, it's always wise to have an independent certified mechanic inspect any used car before buying it, as any used car can come with serious issues that aren't apparent to an untrained eye. If you're in the market to buy a used car, schedule a pre-purchase inspection for total peace of mind.
