1997 Cadillac Catera 3.0 V6

Summary:

If you are buying one, READ THE REVIEWS FIRST!

Faults:

Oil cooler.

Head gaskets.

Radiator.

Auxiliary water pump.

Headlights broke.

Rear LED lights don't work.

AC doesn't work.

Gauges work when they want to.

General Comments:

Worst car I have ever owned. I should have listened when people said that these cars are a JOKE.

I have the car for sale, and can't even get $400 out of it. It is quite possibly one of the worse car ever made in history.

I CAN give it credit for being comfortable... oh and it IS RWD and does handle well. That's about it.

The cost to keep one running simply isn't worth it.

This is will be the last GM I will ever own. I will strictly own Volvos from now on.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th August, 2011

9th Aug 2011, 14:49

Still selling it? Might be a good car to part out.

14th Aug 2011, 02:27

Part out? To who? No one drives a Catera anymore.

5th Nov 2013, 19:09

I currently own three Cateras, and it's people like me whom these cars matter to.

2nd Jan 2023, 15:25

We have these cars in Europe as the Opel/Vauxhall Omega.

Some were not that reliable. Others claim to have had them for years with no problems. I had a very basic 1998 2.0 CD model and it was OK, no better or worse than any other car I have had, but not the worst car ever as the review implies. I'm fairly certain GM use the same parts word-wide and build quality for all cars of this generation.

1997 Cadillac Catera 3.0 V6

Summary:

Never again

Faults:

What's gone wrong? What HASN'T gone wrong!

Let's see here.

"Coolant Bridge" seals went bad at 58,000 miles; replacement piece and seals were nearly $300.

Oil cooler assembly at 63,000 miles.

AC compressor.

Misfiring, found the spark plug holes FULL of water.

Wiper cowl leaks like no other onto the engine.

Valve cover gaskets had to be replaced due to SEVERE leakage.

Oil pressure gauge stopped working, needed sending unit.

CD changer stopped working.

Control arm bushings at 60k and AGAIN at 80k. Are you kidding me?

Gauge cluster "freaks" out every now and then.

ABS system is very flaky. Sometimes the light will be on, sometimes it's not.

BOTH auxiliary water pumps have been replaced. One's starting to make noise again.

Mass air flow sensor went bad. Yet another costly fix.

Ignition coil damaged from wiper cowl leakage.

Winter and sport buttons work when they want to.

Head gasket (s) blew at 86,511, and that's where it sits. I gave up. Too much money into the car already. I'm afraid if I fix it, it will just break again.

Needed second key made, found out that the key is $150 at the dealership.

Reliability wise, worst car I have ever owned. GM should have NEVER sold this car in the US.

General Comments:

Even though it was unreliable, it drove nice and handled very well.

Oh, and it never rusted.

I think the only thing that was nice about the car was the interior and exterior appearance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th May, 2011

1997 Cadillac Catera 2.6

Summary:

Extremely costly to operates and maintain

Faults:

Vehicle requires constant maintenance and repairs.

I have had to repair the motor @ 2800.00.

Recent transmission repairs cost 3600.00

Motor seals replacement

Under manufacturer warranty, had to replace timing chain and belt, radiator, spark plugs and head gaskets, as well as numerous other parts

I have now got to replace the front brakes, heater core, and the air conditioner does not work properly..

Beautiful car, but beware of costly repairs.

The reason why there are few on the road is because they are expensive to operate..

And yes, I still have my Catera, for now!!

General Comments:

Car handles exceptionally well.

Drives like a European sports car.

Handles and negotiates tight turns easily.

Has a comfortable and smooth ride.

Heavy car with a variety of luxury equipment and appointments.

My 97 Catera has a rag top.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2010