Comments: 1-15, 16-20
The blower motor needed replacement at 4,000 miles.
The air conditioning had to be updated this year at 18,000 miles.
My wife and I each have a Catera. We have been very pleased with the value and quality of the cars. They do require fairly strict maintenance, but if you can afford a car in the low luxury bracket you should also be able to afford to maintain it. I have owned a Lexus and a Mercedes, and the service and commitment from the Cadillac dealer far exceeds any other auto name brand that I have dealt with. My advice is, if you can afford to take care of this car, run out and buy one. Use the premium fuel and baby it. It's built by Opel, in Germany. It's also the only mid-sized General Motors sedan with rear wheel drive.
You got tricked into buying a GERMAN OPEL OMEGA with Cadillac emblems.
I don't think he was "tricked" at all. many manufacturers, especially GM rebrand and modify slightly base platforms for different divisions. surely no one would think they were "tricked" into buying a cavalier instead of a sunfire... or is that the other way around?
My point exactly.
My comments go the other way around: Being a happy owner of a Omega in Europe, I considered buying the car when moving here. But I wonder if Cadillac destroyed a good car by doing all the wrong changes from an interior perspective? My Omega was a far better value than a BMW or Mercedes for the size and comfort. More reliable and cheaper to maintain too. I agree on the statement on regular maintenance: I think many Americans are too lazy to properly maintain a modern sophisticated car.
I'm amazed at the poor reputation that these cars have developed based on owner's comments, but I think I know why. Apparently 60% of the Catera's buyers were formerly Cadillac owners; 40% are new to the brand. I can't imagine someone who is accustomed to a Sedan DeVille liking my Catera Sport one bit. The combination of damping, spring rates, and low profile tires provide a very firm ride. The sport seats are supportive and (gasp) manually adjustable unlike the puffy units in the DeVille. The car's dimensions are much smaller than other Cadillacs, and it has a sophisticated V6 rather than a (albeit outstanding) V8. The interior is very tasteful, yet obviously not at all like other Cadillacs or American cars for that matter. I was also aware that it was built overseas in Germany; I hear that's where Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes come from. Is this a bad thing?
The overall quality of my vehicle with 40k miles under the chassis is absolutely excellent. Highpoints include dealer network and service options, climate control effectiveness, audio system, ride quality, long distance capability, outstanding headlights, sound insulation, and trunk room. I admit to wishing mine had a 5 spd manual option with more power and torque along with slightly more appealing body work, but then I'd have to pay more for a BMW.
As for maintenance, I'm not aware of anything that is particularly onerous. The four year warranty covers absolutely everything; I've even had routine items like air filters replaced ahead of schedule without question. By the way, Americans that I know take excellent care of their cars.
No, it's not a Cadillac. No, It's not a BMW. It is a car that offers a decent blend of elements from each at a fraction of the cost. I purchased mine in near mint used condition with 30k miles on the clock. These little gems are completely overlooked at the moment and represent a true bargain. A bargain that is, if you're not interested in owning a "Cadillac".
I have read with interest a great deal of Catera comments. It appears that the 97 was a dog. Maybe it was...
I am looking for a 98 or 99 to purchase, and have test driven a 98 with 27,000 miles on it, and it was stunning. Apparently the dying battery issue has been resolved, the light in the glove box stayed on all the time. Oops.
Hard on tires? Well, it DOES weigh almost 4,000 Lbs.
Anybody out there who is sick of their Catera/Opel/Whatever can feel free to send it to me. I'll pay the postage.
We, too, mostly loved our (1997) Catera when it only had 40,000 miles on it. Now, however, at 80,000 miles and with excellent maintenance kept on it (how could we not? it was always in the shop for something else!) we greatly desire to take this car to the dealer we bought it from and set it on fire!!! Don't buy a Catera of any sort; all years are bad. P.S. German-made with problems IS bad ---- parts are expensive and difficult to get. When Cadillac replaced (rebuilt) our defective engine at 68,000 miles (and then replaced the head gasket, oil cooler, etc. at 80,000 miles), the first of these two repairs' cost ($10,000+) exceeded the value of the car, but they still insisted on a repair rather than other options. I guess they (the Cadillac dealer) really didn't want the Catera in their hands either!
I lived in the UK in the early 1990s and had a company car, Vauxhall Carlton. It was strange to see GM bring this over almost 10 years after the Opel/Vauxhall run in Europe and UK. Kinda of sad that GM would try this old style Eurocar on their loyal Cadillac buyers. Ford does the same to a degree with Taurus.
My Carlton ran fine in the UK. But, driving is so different. Europe and UK have lower gearing, higher speed roads, safer and better trained drivers so performance is important. US has speed limits, poor quality road surfaces from snow, ice, salt, corrupt contractors, etc. So I can drive a Carlton at 100 mph in UK, but the Catera is limited by US conditions to 80 mph for safety.
As a Cadillac technician I would not recommend a Catera to my worst of enemies. A front brake job is at least $400.00. They wear tires to the cords even with the updated specifications. Pay close attention to your water pump and timing belt pulleys. (there is a recall). If you hear any grinding noise go immediately to a Cadillac dealership. If the timing belt breaks while the car is running, poor you. Valves will be bent on both heads. IT is a nice handling car though. Problem is it is German and set up for German type driving which cannot be done around most of the U.S. Most issues have been worked out on the C.T.S. even though I would not recommend it either. Went to class on the new XLR that's the caddy you want!
I purchased a 1998 Catera 30 days ago with 29,000 miles on the engine, or so I thought! Was looking for a sedan that would be dependable and reliable, yet not too expensive. Fell in love with the car the minute I laid eyes on it. Mint condition. On the test drive found the AC/Def/Heater was not working. The dealer fixed the problem upon my purchase. However fixing this problem caused the car to overheat. Was taken to Cadillac and a sensor replaced. All's good now right? No, two days ago the check engine light came on, stayed on for a day. Here I am today writing this review. I called the dealer back asking about the 30 day warranty on a used car, and I am told the engine on the car had been rebuilt by a Cadillac dealer. Called that particular dealership and got the invoice for the work done on the car. All under warranty of the previous owner. Rebuilt at 28,124, the invoice states: Timing belt broken;dies on highway, did not overheat, disassembled engine;all valves damaged. disassembled engine and overhaul complete. Was able to get a record of service from local Cadillac. Beware what you are about to see is frightening!
4/9/98 pre-delivery insp. 0 miles
5/11/98 lever, multifunction - replace 17 miles
6/4/98 parts reimbursement 18 miles
8/31/98 control assembly HVAC (instrument panel) A/C replace 2031 miles.
5/25/99 cup holder, console replace 7690 miles
9/22/99 harmonic balancer- replace 8215 miles
12/13/99 cup holder console- replace 9666 miles
12/13/99 sunshade- replace 9666 miles
3/22/00 lid, rear compartment- align- 11362 miles
6/5/00 generator assembly- replace 14232 miles
8/17/00 module, power antenna- replace 16799 miles
11/16/00 gasket, cylinder head-both banks- replace 19689 miles
1/02/01 wires/and or boots, spark plug-one-replace 19689
1/02/01 Battery- replace 19689 miles
1/02/01 switch- parking brake lamp replace 19689 miles
1/02/01 one spark plug replace 19689 miles
7/5/01 inspect and replace SAI hose 18250 miles
7/31/01 lamp assembly replace 18477 miles
8/08/01 module, steering wheel inflator-replace 18529 miles
12/12/01 pump assembly, power steering replace 19168 miles
10/08/02 replace water pump and all pulleys 20912 miles
10/08/02 replace pump assembly, power steering 20912
5/29/02 engine rebuilt.
In speaking with the previous owner, faith was lost in the car. In two months of owner ship, an 02 sensor was replaced and the engine rebuilt. He didn't keep the car after rebuild. As he did, I love the car. But am quite concerned about reliability. I'm 29, this is my first Caddy. Am heartbroken with what I am finding out about my cars history. Thought I got a real bargain on a mint car with low miles, and a Cadillac at that!! I'm now thinking it is mint because the previous 2 owners never got to enjoy it out of the shop. But I own it now and can only hope my "new" engine will hold out for a few thousand miles!
Jayce23142@cs.com.
Come on people, wake up. I cannot believe all of the rubbish. First, I hear people complaining about the price of upkeep on Cateras. This is not a Chevy. If you could not even afford a Chevy Chevette, then why buy a Catera (or any Cadillac for that matter)? I have owned Landrovers, BMWs, Audis, etc. Trust me when I say that the Catera is cheaper to maintain than these makes. Secondly, anyone who pays $400. for a brake job on a Catera is getting ripped off. I did my brakes on mine and it was so simple, I could not even believe it! Keep in mind that I am far from being mechanically inclined and I hate working on cars (why is it that when one quits smoking, they start up again after trying to work on American cars?). Thirdly, someone mentioned that they had to put new wires and or boots on the plugs. The Catera has no spark wires or boots! So if you pay for wires and boots, you just got ripped off again (the Catera is not only sexy, it is wireless!). In my opinion, dealers are crooks. They overcharge honest folks so much that it should be illegal. Most of the dealer mechanics around here (Central Michigan area) don't know bananas about European cars. I had to vent. Have a nice day.
Just a quick note on our 98 CATERA. WE LOVE IT!!
Besides getting serviced, oil changes and the such. We have no problems with the mack daddy caddy 90,000 and still going strong. If you are looking to buy one test drive it on a freeway. Like one of the other posts said it was designed for European roads. Ours seems most happy over 75mph+.
I'm the owner of a 1999 Cadillac Catera. I bought the car in March of 2003. The first 6 months were GREAT!!! It only had 26,000 miles when I bought it. I thought that this was a good deal. Man... was I wrong. I have had just about every problem mentioned on this survey. Now my latest problem is the timing belt & the pulleys. The engine is completely shot. This car was the worse move I have ever made. I never neglected this car. I always stayed on top of things.
Dean from ohio a town.
My 98 catera; what a peace of work, what the ----! did the american car do; Cadillac really dropped the ball, never will I purchase a cadalac, nothing, but problems with my car, and no help from CADALAC,, AT ONE TIME IT WAS AGOOD CAR TO OWNE, TODAY I WOULD NOT GIVE THEM A 2ND TIME, ONCE BITTEN, YOU STAY A WAY FROM THE BIG DOG. GOD BLESS AMERICA
DEAN FOGLIO
ASHTABULA, OHIO.
MY 98 CAD... SUCKS I WANT TO CRASH AND BURN IT... THE SENSORS ARE ALL SCREWED UP AND IT CAN'T EVEN PASS EMISSION WHEN I REPLACED ALL OF THEM... STAY AWAY...PLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE!!!
I have a 99 Catera. I bought it 2 years ago, it only had 30K miles on it. I fell in love with it! Finally, a car with all the bells and whistles (Bose, heated seats, etc.) However, just about 2 weeks ago, the radiator warning light came on. I checked the overflow, filled it with coolant (to the cold line of course). I drove it for about 1 mile and the light came on again! I can't see any leaks, but the coolant is going somewhere as the coolant level keeps falling below the sensor. I don't want to get ripped off and pay for unnecessary repair work. Does anyone know what the problem is? By the way it is not overheating, but the gauge gets up there.