Cadillac Catera Luxury
Cadillac Catera Luxury
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[Nov 16, 2001]
BOOST
Model Reviewed:
Catera
Strength:
Descent Mileage, good looks, handles/rides well, comfortable, good stereo.
Weakness:
Too heavy (which also doesn''t help tire life!), need more hp-to-weight ratio, front seats could go back more for long legged drivers, need a key mechanism for the trunk. With the exception of the brakelight switch intermittently working (and replaced under Cadillac warranty at no cost), the car has performed flawless. I average 20 mpg in town with a little stint of highway miles included. Everything works (I''m lucky not to have the electric heated seats...just one more item that could electrically fail, regardless of car manufacturer). I''ve read some of the reviews and looks like some need to go for the ''lemon law'' in their own state. Others have been overall satisfied. I will maintain my own Catera after the factory warranty expires. I''m sure in somne instances with the irate owners posting here, that the car is not all of the problem... have you seen who actually does the repair work on your car at the dealership (I don''t care if they have ASE pasted all over their body, it doesn''t mean a thing!)??? Can''t balme the car always. Sometimes you take it in for one repair only to have another come up the next week not associated with the first problem (and it could be caused by the mechanic who solved your first problem only to give your the second problem). In any case, I''m satisified with the car. No it is not perfect, but hey, neither am I nor anyone else. Why would I expect man''s creation to be anything more? If you have a Catera problem, get the ''regional'' manager involved if your car can''t be repaired properly at your dealership. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Oct 27, 2001]
PCR
Strength:
Cranberry. Muscular. Solid & responsive. Bose. Seat heaters really hot.
Weakness:
Temp gauge goes up & voltimeter down stopped in traffic; although temp dial goes back to center when fan kicks in, and voltimeter back up when moving. There was a static-y sound from the passenger door (speaker?) that seems to have gone away. I have only 12000 miles after 4 yrs. Will that save me from the more serious problems I''ve read about here? I had three recalls: alignment & tire wear (none found); stabilizer/balance bar; and, recently, a hose. On warranty, I''ve had fixed: 1. A wire in the driver door was plugged in, 2. The radio antenna replaced, 3. The generator replaced twice, 4. The battery charged once (after towing) and replaced once roadside. Off warranty, I put in a $108.00 International Diehard. Will that one last? Now, I''ve noticed fluid stains under the car. Oil or coolant? How much will that cost? Doesn''t seem like a lot of fluid. Perhaps the tires are wearing. Similar Products Used: Closest was Toyota Cressida. Started breaking down after 9 yrs. |
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[Oct 26, 2001]
kb_c
Strength:
Excellent riding, nice interior, good acelerations and excellent stopping.
Weakness:
Frequent mechanical difficulties. Maintenance, parts, and repairs are expensive and time consuming. I thought that the car was a good deal - a 98 w/ only 14,000 miles. The interior and exterior were in excellent shape. However, it wasn''t too long afterwards, when I received a factory recall to replace a one of the front end stablizer bars. Shortly after that the locks had to be fixed. The car has stalled to point where it would not restart for several minutes. The cadillac service department cannot locate the problem, which also includes a burning order. Also a wire running from the engine block was pulled out by one of the belts. Mindful of the need for maintenance, I replaced the manifold intake air filter, which cost over $25.00 (w/o labor) and the cabin filter, which cost about $15.00 without labor. I agree with the previous comments that parts are hard to come by. It took over 2 weeks to order a tire, which no one keeps in stock. It took the dealer almost a month to receive the part required to fix the recall. Finally the front end is severly out of alignment, which I have to get fixed. Similar Products Used: The previous car I owned was a Grand Prix. Had very little problems and maintenance and parts were readily available and affordable. |
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[Oct 21, 2001]
KrazyDude
Model Reviewed:
/ Cadillac Catera
Strength:
Bose souns system, and looks.
Weakness:
Everything else ther than the weaknesses. This is the worst car we have ever owned! EVER! Everything has gone wrong. It stalls, it doesn''t always start, its sqeaks (we took it to Bob Moore Cadillac to have this fixed, and they said they all sqeak) BULL! It didn''t when we first got it. We had to replace the whole seat heater in the drivers seat. The door pops and cracks on the drivers side. The door locks don''t always work, and everything is so expensive to get fixed. We are getting rid of this car and getting a Mazda Tribute. Wr though Cadillac was one of the best cars you could buy, and maybe they are, but the Catera is TRASH! Don''t buy it! I promise, if you do, you will be sorry. The only two good things are the sound system and its good looks. Similar Products Used: Seville STS (much better) and we traded our Ford Expediton Eddie Bauer for this, we are very sorry! Can''t beat a Ford! |
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[Sep 29, 2001]
Jeff
Model Reviewed:
Catera
Strength:
Nice Styling, Great Ride, Good bang for the buck.
Weakness:
The center console cupholder is a bit of a joke, and blocks access to the tranny shifter. I have driven my 99 Catera for nearly 2 years now, and have not had any problems with it. I do my own maintenance, and am extremely particular of how I treat my car. My car has all factory options: sunroof, Bose CD-WOW!, chrome wheels, heated front and rear seats, and a power rear window sun screen (a blessing in Texas). This car has been great! Good power, handling, comfort, and style. I have taken this vehicle on 1000+ mile trips, as well as drive it around town. My gas mileage averages about 21 MPG in town and 27 on the highway. Even I cannot believe the mileage seeing as how I like using the sport mode of the transmission and mashing the throttle - Outstanding! This car surpassed all the other cars I looked at at the time in the price/performance/luxury category, such as: Volvo, VW, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus... I buy a new car every couple of years and currently own an S10 pickup and Jeep Grand Cherokee as well. I don''t have any problems with these vehicles either. I highly recommend the 1999 Cadillac Catera to anybody looking for a comfortable, sporty, luxurious sports sedan. I got mine at over $10,000 off the sticker with a bit of negotiating, and ended up with a great deal. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Sep 20, 2001]
Angie
Model Reviewed:
Catera
Strength:
Stero
Weakness:
For a person not knowing alot about cars I would say the whole engine. If I had only read these reviews on here before hand, I would not have given this car a thought. We just got this car out of shop at 60,000 miles timing belt went out. Was told there is not alot of mechanics knowledgeable about this car. Mechanic''s worst night mare I was told. Now I need to take back in for drivers door (2nd replacement). Also had in 5 months ago with coolant leak. Was told it was Heater control valve. That was $300.00. I have seen alot of these reviews and seems to be the same problems on this model. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Sep 16, 2001]
chuck
Strength:
very heavy so gives good ride yet surprisingly quick and nimble. Loves the open road and got it on alligator hwy here in fla and boy, it just came alive. Have barely done the minimum on maintenance and other than a small rattle, no probs at all. no good on gas but if I wanted that, i''d get a vw.
Weakness:
when backing up the rear vision is a bit limited. Great Car. Good Price. Great Dealer. No problems at all and love to drive it but the tickets are adding up, must get a laser detector. Been great, am absoluteky thrilled with it. First lux car I bought and am glad I did Similar Products Used: none |
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[Sep 06, 2001]
Randy
Strength:
stero system.
Weakness:
electrical system sucked. Let''s talk about a lemon, the car I purchased was as 1997, at a little over the warranty I was on my way to work and it jumped timing, I have to tow it in and found that the engine was gone, I couldn''t afford it so I let it go, then 2 weeks later I get two recall papers on the exact same problem that caused the engine to fail, now I have this account on my credit and it''s killing me. That''s what I call a piece of crap.... Similar Products Used: cheverlot, ford and never had problem |
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[Aug 29, 2001]
jar
Strength:
NONE(well it is a nice color -- blue)
Weakness:
EVERYTHING I am so very afraid to drive this car --- I never know what is going to fail next!This has been the biggest mistake I have EVER made.Cadillac should be so ashamed!!I know I am for having bought this piece of JUNK!!!! Similar Products Used: None |
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[Aug 29, 2001]
jar
Strength:
NONE(well it is a nice color -- blue)
Weakness:
EVERYTHING I am so very afraid to drive this car --- I never know what is going to fail next!This has been the biggest mistake I have EVER made.Cadillac should be so ashamed!!I know I am for having bought this piece of JUNK!!!! Similar Products Used: None |


