Cadillac Catera

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.57 of 5, 14.00 votes

Price Paid:  $16000.00 from Grand Rapids

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Catera

Strengths:
Looks nice

Weaknesses:
Everything but the looks!!!!!!!!!

Summary:
My husband bought me the Catera for Christmas 3 Years ago. I was so happy! The car only had 14000 miles on it. Three months after that everything started going wrong. We have to get new tires every 10 to 12 months and we put new brakes on less than a year ago and we need to put them on again. The driver side heated seat burned through the leather seat and burning my coat also! This car is a nightmare and I would not sell it to my worst enemy! The dealership knows us by our voice over the phone because we are in there and calling so much. We are now selling it and we will never ever buy another Cadillac again.

Similar Products Used:
Toyota 1997, Honda Accord 1993, Volkswagon Jetta 1986. DONT BUY AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.75 of 5, 8.00 votes

Price Paid:  $14000.00 from Cadillac Dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Cadillac Catera Sport

Strengths:
Everything: Great Power Great Luxury Awesome Bose Sound system Awesome Handling Loves the Curves Sport pkg. W/Brushed Aluminum Accents is SWEET No Problems, plus i bought the extended warrenty till 2007 or 100k miles so im worry free. LOVE THIS CAR

Weaknesses:
NONE --- Perfect DAMN SEXY SPORTY RIDE

Summary:
Before i start, let me just say that i am a car guy, i love cars and have owned many in my day. I LOVE THIS CAR. The people who are Bashing this car, i feel sorry for, because there has not been one thing wrong with my Catera Sport. Its So Comfortable, Power Everything, Bose Sound, Sunroof, 200hp engine, Very peppy. You will seriously find your favorite road to drive down with the Catera Sport. It loves the Road, Highway Driving is incredible, 80-100mph and you still feel in Total control of the car, and OHH the Handling of this Fully Idependant Suspension car. It Loves the turns. Ok, First of all, Only Buy a 2000 or 2001 Catera, Preferably with the SPORT pkg. It gives you Bose sound, Sunroof, 17inch Sport wheels, Xenon Headlamps, Sport Tuned Suspension, Oil Cooler, Plus it looks 100times better than anyother entry level luxury sport on the market!!! Just remember to buy a 2000 or 2001. THIS CAR ROCKS IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE...AWESOME SOUND SYSTEM, GREAT ENGINE POWER ( especially near red line, REALLY PULLS HARD ), DAMN SEXY LOOKS, EXCEPTIONAL HANDLING, Damn dude, the feeling behind the wheel of this car is so sweet, you never want to stop driving this car. I love my catera sport, Cheers to all who own one... If your going to buy a Catera do yourself a favor and get the Sport pkg.

Similar Products Used:
2001 BMW M Roadster, 2002 Audi A6, 1999 Mustang GT, 1994 Camaro z28, 1996 Pontiac Trans Am, 1998 Mustang GT, 2001 Jeep Grand Limited

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Price Paid:  $17500.00 from maxton chevrolet

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 cadillac catera

Strengths:
very roomy and handles well, very comfortable and fun to drive-when its running

Weaknesses:
where do we start!!!!

Summary:
bought car with 27,000 miles, very clean and loaded to the max. problems started within 1 month with the bose sound system not picking up channels and fading. this car eats tires and the brakes are always sqeaking. the sunroof has stuck a couple fo times and the daytime running lights have been repaired twice. the valve cover gaskets needed replaced at 28,500 miles for the second time.the camshaft gear needed to be replaced at the same time. the transmission is constantly shifting at the 55 mph speed limit and the gas mileage is no better than 22 mpg. the car does handle extremely well and feels very solid as you drive it.

Similar Products Used:
saturn L300, chev lumina, ford taurus

Price Paid:  $14956.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Catera Sport

Strengths:
Interior, seating, sound system, fun to drive, anount of car and features for the money

Weaknesses:
Interior storage space and factory tires.

Summary:
Bought my 2001 Catera Sport after leasing it for two years. Had the recall completed. There was a two week delay for parts and I had the use of a 4 wheel drive van during this time. Had the drivers side seat replaced by local dealer, due to seat heater short. Other than these items the car has been great and fun to drive. Started looking at new vehicles as my lease was running out. Was not able to find anything that could compare for twice the money. We were able to buy a known car with low miles for a great price. The car is also Cadillac certified for 6 years/100,000 miles. We have a great local Cadillac service department, that has taken care of our GMC vehicles for several years. Have read several posts regarding problems with the later model Cateras. I feel most of the problem areas were worked out in the 97-99 models. One item that I will be replacing this year are the Goodyear Eagle tires. They are O.K. in the summer, but when you get 300+ inches of snow, they no longer get the job done.

Similar Products Used:
Nissan Maxima, Cadillac CTS, Bonneville, Outback-Sedan

Price Paid:  $32.00 from Arnold Palmer Cadill

Strengths:
The vehicle rides smooth, is luxurious inside and is an enjoyment to drive.

Weaknesses:
Some problems with the vehicle cannot be detected by the service technology used for them. Indicator light does not light up and techs will not change out warranty parts when the problem cannot be "duplicated." I bought the car to avoid these problems, but found Cadillac uncaring and unwilling to help.

Summary:
Vehicle has sensitive camber units which do not keep its alignment. It wore the inside of my tires out in 20K miles. Also, at 30K miles, in extreme cold temperatures (below 20 degrees) the stabilizer freezes and the shocks lock up, causing the vehicle to slam up and down like riding a jack hammer. Very dangerous for elderly. Cadillac dealerships and Customer Assistance offer no help saying these problems must be duplicated. Ironically, the bumper to bumper warranty does not cover ambivalence or intellectual schizophrenia in the service techs and their managers. Sensors may be bad too but Cadillac will not change it out under warranty. RECOMMEND YOU DO NOT BUT A GM PRODUCT.

Similar Products Used:
1999 Honda Accord EX.Never had a problem. My driving experience and dealership experience with this vehicle was superlative. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HONDA VEHICLES.