1998 Cadillac Catera from North America - Comments

Bad coil pack (my fault, pressure washing engine and blasting coil-pack).

Heater control valve leak (fixed $60 later).

Passenger side front caliper dragging (my fault for getting frustrated with a bolt).

Fuel pump went out (actually just got a corroded connection. pulled it out and wire brushed the connections and it's like new).

For some reason the car has a leak in car-washes.. only at the end when the turbojet dryers are going.. I get water in my floorboard, so I just don't go there anymore..

I am a proud owner of a 1998 Cadillac Catera with 157,000 miles on the original engine! Still runs like a beast. Hit the sport mode button and you are flying..

The camber on the rear tires is at a slight V, which causes wear, but other than that, I'm loving the 8 speaker Bose system.

I get about 400 miles on a tank on the interstate. Record gas mileage is 32 mpg.

I love the look of the car. I bought some black headlights on ebay (originally designed for the Opel Omega), did a little bit of rewiring and it's a G-ride..

When I first saw the car I really liked it. So I bought it for $1,065.. oh yeah, insurance auction (theft recovery). It was dirty, but I cleaned it and now this machine is bulletproof.. let's just say I keep up on it.

I will most likely have this car till the day I die unless someone wants to buy it for $1,000,000...

I drove this car from Tennessee to Colorado and back again. And then to Colorado again (Texas gas mileage sucks). I'll tell you all the problems I have had and what I did to fix them..

Really low oil pressure (light comes on); put in 20-50W full synthetic oil.. brought it right up and is perfect all the time now.

Overheating??? Took out the thermostat.. (fuses blow in the fusebox by the battery, make sure to use 30amp and not 20amp)

Erratic shifting on transmission. Flushed tranny and put in a new filter, ZERO shift shock now..

Squeaky brakes... psh. I took off my rotors and had them turned, and while in the process I damaged the passenger side front caliper and now it rubs against the rotor and squeaks while stopping..

Current problems..

Transmission gets stuck in overdrive

remedy: (buy a new TCM, transmission control module) $100 on ebay.

Sluggish taking off at stoplights.

Remedy: new plugwires. (cheaper on ebay)

Broke the brake life sensor, so the brake light is always on..

For some reason the car has a leak in carwashes.. only at the end when the turbojet dryers are going.. I get water in my floorboard. so I just don't go there anymore..

Here's my opinion.. for everyone out there giving this car a bad review. If you use your head it's not that hard to figure out what's wrong with the dang thing.. if you can't afford to fix it why did you think you could have a Cadillac? As a cheap way to make you look rich? no way. Take care of this baby and she will be good to you...

Thank you. I totally agree with your opinion! everyone knows cadillacs are not cheap to repair - they should have thought about the catera before they bought it of course its gonna be costly because it's a cadillac and it steps out of the mold when it comes to design and everything else - so since it was a small cadillac way different then the other models around this year they should have known it wouldn't be cheap - but if you keep on top of everything and make sure she gets her maintenance on time if not early then she'll return the favor by not only bein a good some what rare car, but also something that's a blast to drive!

I have to disagree with the person who said because it's a Cadillac, you know it's going to be expensive to fix. I would think because it's a Cadillac, you shouldn't have to spend a lot to fix it when you pay the amount you pay for it to begin with. This car has been in the shop more than out. I'm on a first name basis with my mechanic. And I do regular maintenance! The electrical stuff is outrageous! I have had the sunroof checked several times, because it goes up and down at will. Now I need a new ECM! The radio just quit (that was a sensor); I was driving down the freeway, motor stopped but everything else keept running... it was another sensor! An electrical disaster! I will never purchase another Cadillac again. And when you take it to the dealer, they rip you off big time!

Had the water inside floor boards after wash or heavy rain too. Had you're a/c intake cleared ($15 at local station) and was good to go.

I have a 1998 Cadillac Catera with 140,000 KM on it. Other than being very diligent in changing the oil every 4 months (5000KM interval) and putting in the odd air filter, I have never had a problem with the car and must say as several others do, that it is a fun car to drive, lots of power and great driving control and response in various driving conditions and wouldn't trade it in either. The only thing I have changed is the WCV (water control valve)...It has a great sound system and other creature comforts are adequate. I get approx. 30-32 miles to an Imperial gallon of regular fuel... The car has never let me down ever...that's my experience with the Catera.

It's a GERMAN CAR!!! With all the Bosch Parts and fluids inside... Why won't the foreign car places work on it???

Hi guys. When I bought my Catera, I knew it was a German car. It's an Opel Omega, and it's the most expensive, the engine is 3.0L. But anyway I like it.

Minor problems; like to change head gaskets,

fix auxiliary water pumps e.t.c by myself!

Now I have low oil pressure after I put zMAX to my Castrol 10w30. Today I threw it out and filled with Valvoline 10w30. Tried to drive about 30 minutes - nothing wrong.

I bought the Catera in an auction with a bad engine (head gaskets) approx. I paid for parts about $200. But it was my work on it.

This car is too complicated for people who love Camrys or Corollas. It has 3 water pumps and 3 cooler fans.

For those who loves handling, acceleration and comfort there is the Catera! Also I have a Volvo S80 2002 (not turbo). And I'll say it's true: Catera is better than Volvo! Good luck and care for your car, and it'll work for you for many years!!!

I'll have to disagree... the cost for maintenance is insane. I guess you haven't ran into the heater core problem... let us know when that happens. Good luck.