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I bought our Catera for my wife. Being our first luxury car I expected more reliability out of it. We have owned it for almost a year and it has been in the shop four times under warranty for electrical problems, water pump, shift linkage, crankshaft damper and a myriad of other problems that a car shouldn''t have until it gets a lot of miles on it. It has to go in again for a recall on a hose. Right now it is in the shop again due to the fact that upon inspection all the spark plugs are completely submersed under oil that has leaked into an area that it shouldn''t have. It is not under warranty any more. Here is the breakdown of necessary parts and labor....Spark plug wires = $172 (yikes!)- labor to install them = $310 (yikes again!), timing belt and labor = $320, intake and valve cover gaskets and labor = $275. Grand total without tax = $1,077. Whoever heard of Valve cover gaskets priced at $107 per pair or better yet, $482 for plug wires plus installation. This will be the first and last foreign car to be parked in our driveway. I love my T-bird and I''m trading this Catera in for something that has Ford Motor Company stamped on it. Valve cover gaskets for my T-bird run about $12 per pair. Anyone out there considering buying a Catera should research parts availability and cost. It will shock them back into reality.

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GREAT BUY FOR THE MONEY AND EXCELLENT WARRANTY PACKAGE, THERE IS NONE LIKE IT IN THE INDUSTRY.

MY CATERA HAS AN INFREQUENT STALLING PROBLEM THAT OCCURS USUALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. UNFORTUNATELY, IT DOES NONT HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH THEREFORE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE ONLY THING THE DEALER HAS DONE, IS SIMPLY ADD AN SOFTWARE UPGRADE TO THE COMPUTER. BUT THE CAR STALLED ON ME AGAIN WITHIN 3 WEEKS OF HAVING THIS DONE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON AVERGAE ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS.

CAR IS GREAT BUY FOR THE MONEY, BUT NEEDS TO GO ON A DIET AND IT COULD USE MORE HORSEPOWER. OTHER THAN THE INFREQUENT STALLING PROBLEM LISTED IN MY "WEAKNESSES", I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. SHOULD ANY OF YOU WITH THE SAME MODEL AS MINE ENCOUNTER THE SAME PROBLEM (...STALLING) AND HAVE HAD IT REPARED, PLEASE EMAIL ME AND LET ME KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

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I TRADED MY 2000 328 BMW FOR THIS, MAINLY BECAUSE OF PRICE AND THE FACT THAT MY BIMMER SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THAN WITH ME.

Interior comfort, luxury features. Stiff Body.

1. Reliability.
2. Resale Value.
3. Constant Mechanical and Electrical Problems
4. Repeat Repairs for Repeat System Failures.

My experience with this car has been less than favorable since the day I purchased it. Every system in the car has failed at one point or another (several times) but has been repaired free of charge under warrenty. The car has left me stranded on the road more than once. I have driven new DeVilles as warrenty loaner cars seemingly more than my own. I should have bought the Lexus I was considering. Cadillac service at my dealership has been less than favorable. I honestly believe that Cadillac is not equiped to work on or diagnose these German built cars. I would not recommend this car it has been in the shop 22 times since I took delivery. Most repairs take more than one week. The AC and heating systems would fail in the most extreme temperatures and has been repaired 6 times. Finally after re-routing the electrical system the problem has been fixed, however my door locks buttons stay illuminated 24 hours a day which is a drain on the battery.

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Our 86 Porsche has 200,000 miles on it and has never left me stranded and allways starts. Our 96 Saab convertible has twice the mileage the 97 Catera has and has never been in the shop once.

Beautifully designed. Handles very well. I was a little concerned about lack of power but experience driving the car has proved me wrong. It's fun to drive.

Transmission: A design flaw, according to my service rep, caused my transmission to fail at under 50,000 miles. According to him, the poor design resulted in a cracked case. The whole thing had to be replaced. Big bucks! Thank goodness it was still under warranty.
HVAC: This one is driving us nuts! Intermittedly, all of the interior glass fogs up. No matter what settings, the stuff just won't go away until you roll the windows down. My wife has actually had to pull the car over to the side of the road a couple of times because she couldn't see. My dealer, after having the car for three days, couldn't find the cause. The problem persists. If anyone has had a similar problem and gotten it resolved, please email me and tell me what I have to do. It is a very annoying and dangerous problem.

My wife loves the car! The styling and design are awesome, although there could have been more interior storage compartments (the glove compartment is very small). I love driving it. I fit very comfortably even though I am 6'4". One the negative side, for a $35,000 car it sure has a lot of problems. We have had the car less than a year and its been in the shop several times already. At the recommendation of my service rep, I purchased an extended warranty.

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ONSTAR SYSTEM BEST THING THEY DID FOR THE CATERA

the dealer said they can't duplicate the problem so there is nothing wrong. My engine dies while driving it. One saturday while driving 50mph it just died stop dead n it's tracks, 3 times within a 30 minute period. But it will crank right back up. Call onstar & they said take 2 d dealer ASAP. No slowing up, no skidding, no nothing it just stop dead in the middle of the highway. It stop again Dec 20 2000, dealer said can't duplicate problem & Cadillac won't pay 4 what they think it might be. I brought this car brand new and in 16 month it have been back in the shop 6 times for the same problem. I May 2000 they said they replace the pcm(powertrain control module) it drove good until Dec 2000 and like a spoil brat it started it's mess again. Like I won't move because GM made me with defected parts & we got your money now Sucker.

If GM was selling them for $1000.00 each I wouldn't buy another

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I had a 1989 ford aerostar that I donated 2 charity I wish I had it back at least it got me where i needed to go and back.

Tight steering on the road. Quick pick up with accelleration. Sound system. Interior design is beautiful (not on the 2000 or 2001--my opinion; I'm referring to my 1998 model). Dealership service is good.
A very heavy and safe car!

They should have made the center arm rest/console big enough for eight apples instead of one. (You can't even keep one CD in it.) I had to replace tires too soon. Battery went dead when parked twice. Cadillac truck came and installed a new battery quickly and nicely! Not too many worst qualities!

OVERALL--I really have liked my Catera. It does 'zig' and maneuvers very tight and nicely on the road. It has tight steering and DEFINITELY does NOT drive like a boat. The pick up from acceleration is quite quick and impressive. I didn't care for the outside styling but was won over by the interior luxury look of the car. The leather on the doors and seating looks like no other car. It is a HEAVY car for it's size and weighs only 100 pounds less than the much larger ElDorado. Built in Germany, it is heavy and a substantial car. I was in a pretty bad rear-end accident (A HUGE Semi hit a BIG truck which crashed into me). The car had quite a bit of damage to the entire rear, but I was safe and the car was repaired at Ocean Cadillac and they did a good job. That was over a year ago and I really enjoy my Catera. It has been in the shop for minor repairs. I recommend a three (3) year lease and with it you will have the standard 50,000 mile warranty--with Gold Key Service which means that every time it is in the shop for covered repairs, you will receive another Cadillac as a replacement car for no additional cost to you. Overall--there is not any nicer car for the price and you WILL enjoy the luxury! Life is not perfect--including one's automobile! Nothing is perfect--but most things can be repaired! When a car needs to go to the garage, it is never convenient--but sometimes necessary. But the Catera is NOT the only car that has to go to the garage sometimes!

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Audi 200 Turbo. Catera was newer, but both were very nice. VW Passat: The Catera is much more luxurious and much heavier and faster. Steering/handling were comparable.

The 2001 model has made significant improvements over the 1998 model we just turned in. Value is the #1 stregnth. The Sport version is certainly fun to drive and push into curves. Very comfortable on long trips. Interior is clean and crisp. A lot of bells and whistles standard on Sport pkg.

Could use more horsepower and more storage space inside for cds.
Not as stylish as the 328 but also not as $$$.

An excellent value. Our '98 had its share of problems but I have confidence that many of those problems have been resolved. Fun car to drive and very comfortable as well. It is certainly worth taking a look at if spending $30K for a new car. It may not have the cache of BMW or MB but it does not have the cost either.

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328,528,c-class,e-class,q45

NICE INTERIOR NICE RIDE

CONSTANTLY IN SHOP WITH REPAIRS. LATEST IS THE SECOND TIME THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED THIS TIME CAUSING MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. I HAVE EXPERIANCED EVERYTHING FROM CUP HOLDERS FALLING OFF TO TIRES WORN DOWN TO METAL,TO CADILAC EMBLEM FALLING OFF, BATTERY FAILING,SPEAKER COVER FELL OFF, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH DEFECTIVE,SQUEEKY BRAKES, CONSTANT PULL TO THE RIGHT,ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUES TO LIGHT UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON,ECT ECT.. CADILLAC HAS BEEN EXTREMELY NONRESPONSIVE. THEY WILL FIX THE CAR EACH TIME BECAUSE IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER TRADE IN ASSISTANCE. THIS CAR IS A TRUE LEMON, AND CADILAC KNOWS IT. THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT IN PUBLIC. THE "AREA REP" WILL NOT EVEN RECIEVE PHONE CALLS FROM THE CUSTOMER. WHAT DOES CADILLAC STAND FOR?????THEY ACTUALLY REFERED ME TO THE "BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU" TO COMPLAIN.I HAVE NEVER EXPERIANCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE.IF YOU HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS CONTACT ME, I INTEND TO SEEK A REMEDY THROUGHT THE COURTS.

AVOID THIS CAR AT ALL COSTS.

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THIS CAR IS A LEMON NO COMPARISONS

New back end, Xenon headlights, 17" rims, heated seats, sound system.....

Storage, storage, storage......

I haven't had my car for very long, but so far I love it! I absolutely love having the Xenon headlights, that would have to be my favorite thing on my car. It is a big difference when I go to valet my Catera versus my 98 Accord. The only problem I have had so far, is my glove box is making some squeeking noise, and it is really annoying. I had it in one time and they said they fixed it, but it is still doing it, so back it goes. I want everyone to know that it is not only the Catera's that are having problems, we also have a STS that has been in the shop more times then in my brothers driveway.

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Was looking at a BMW 3 series, decide on the Catera because we now have 4 Cadillacs and got a better deal. I love the car, but still have my heart set on getting a BMW.

This is a great car! Good handling, nice stero system, and good performance!

I read most of your coments, but my Catera is a 97, with 102k miles. The dealer down here in Mexico City (GM de Districto Ferderal) are very helpful when it comes to recall notices, and what have you. (wish we had a web site like this down here) The only major work done was my transmission fliud changed at 100K with tume up. Oil changes are also done on a regular bases, O yeah my timing belt I had CHANGED just for a sound mind at 70K miles.

Over all this has be a great car and iam glad I bought it. I do alot of traving to the United Staes, about 900 one way and she acts perfect. At first when i read that some of yall had major problem with your's especailly the 1997-1998 model I got scared, what may need to be done to your cars is a Lemon check! I guess my car is doing good cause of the oil we used down here!....hahaha. I also got a great deal. I bought it for about 2,123,120 pesos, in American dollars about 19,000 NEW. Catera is big down here as well has your other Germany and American luxury cars in the bigger cities!

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1999 Honda Accord, it a nice car but still I highy put the Catera first for safty, reailabitly, and ownership.