2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
If you've been admiring the Silhouette minivan over the years, 2003 will be the last year you can buy one new. That said the news that the Oldsmobile people hauler will be scuttled when the entire brand is swept under GM's carpet at the end of this model year should come as no surprise, at least to those up on automotive events.
But that doesn't mean the Silhouette should be forgotten already. It offers attractive, understated styling, a fine assortment of luxury features, excellent versatility and a reliable powertrain, not to mention GM will back its warranty and parts supply 100%.
The first generation Silhouette that ran from 1990 through 1996 was arguably the best looking of the unorthodox General Motors siblings - that also included the Chevrolet Lumina APV and Pontiac TransSport. GM renamed the Chevy and Pontiac after completely redesigning all of it's front-drive minivan models in 1997, much to the acceptance of Joe, Jane, Johnny and Jenny Public. Concurrently the new vans have sold quite well, never quite matching the popularity of Chrysler Group's offerings but by far surpassing anything the General has been able to muster previously.