Cadillac Catera Luxury
Cadillac Catera Luxury
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[Dec 29, 2000]
Andrew Ellebruch
Model Reviewed:
/ Catera
Strength:
This car has all the available options. Love the stereo, handling, traction in snow, and the chrome 16" wheels. Nice looking car. Great price too...
Weakness:
Cupholder, moonroof controls are a bit annoying, and the ABS is useless and makes a grinding noise when sliding on snow... I belive ABS is for drivers who...well, don't know how to drive. Tire wear...well that's the price you pay for performance handling....right? I can't say too many negative things about the Catera. The tire wear is the most common complaint and I'm sure I'll be purchasing new ones next year. The lack of storage is annoying but tolerable for the price I paid for the vehicle. Performance is adequate but could use more power. The handling is great, especially at highway speeds. This car loves to go fast. I would recomend this vehicle if you are looking for and entry level family sports sedan because you could get more for the same money of another brand (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda). From the reports I have read, maybe stay away from the 1997 and early 1998 due to various complaints with small problems. These small problems are common on new models so the theory is to wait until they correct them. Great car so far. Similar Products Used: Not your tipical Caddillac...This is more like a Nissan Maxima or a Mazda 626. I am used to driving much less of a car than this.... |
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[Dec 30, 2000]
Daniel Law
Strength:
Love the style and feel of this not so typical Cadillac, Loaded out for the price and has that Cadillac name plate we all love.
Weakness:
Storage, Storage, Storage! Oh, and that it's not the best car to drive in the snow or on the ice, I think that's why they call it the Caddy that Ziggs.....It ziggs all over in the snow. Also, it has had it's share of problems, coolent leaks a slight oil leak. I'm still keeping it. I would recommend this car to anyone who wants an affordable car with style and performance without the skicker SHOCK you would think. I have to say if you buy used, Please get the extended warrenty, it's worth the money you may have to cough up later. Similar Products Used: My ford Taurus was much better in the snow but lacked the style I was after that this Car has achieved for me. The Taurus also had the same promlems as my Catera had which leads me to think that all cars are junk, some are just prettier then others. |
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[Dec 11, 2000]
Saretta Rowland
Model Reviewed:
cadillac Catera
Strength:
absolutely nothing
Weakness:
everything It has been on the road 45 months and has been the shop between 22 and 24 times. Lost all of its coolant,and in the process of repairing that they put a hole in the emissions hose and still needed to put more coolant in. Similar Products Used: my 1992 chevrolet cavilier convertible performed much better and was in the shop a whole lot less |
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[Nov 29, 2000]
Dixie Perry
Strength:
Nice sound system-Bose
Weakness:
Let me count the ways. Towed in first time with 1000 miles. Hand break wouldn't release. Starter replaced. Tires replaced 1st time at 22,000 miles. Replaced with GOOD, EXPENSIVE tires. 37,000 miles on car now. Tires need replacing. Car has been in shop three times for radiator light coming on. Three different problems found. Had to be towed with this problem also. I will not purchase another Caterra ever again! I don't recommend this car to anyone. Similar Products Used: Saab 9000 |
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[Nov 24, 2000]
MICHAEL BALDWIN
Model Reviewed:
CATERA
Strength:
RIDES GOOD WHEN ITS NOT IN THE SHOP HA. LIKE THE BOSE. POWER IS SUFFICENT.
Weakness:
IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES IN THREE MONTHS I HAVE HAD IT.ONLY HAD IM JUST WONDERING WHATS GONNA HAPPEN WHEN IT GETS HIGHER MILAGE ON IT. Similar Products Used: HAD A LEXUS 3OO WITH 68000 MILES ON IT AND IT NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. |
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[Nov 22, 2000]
Chuck
Strength:
I liked the interior look, comfort, and horsepower.
Weakness:
Tire wear is this car's MAJOR downfall due to a design flaw GM tries to blame on its customers. Two sets of tires worn out at 35,000 miles - give me a break. The radio antenna doesn't pull in stations, so the BOSE radio is somewhat useless. The cupholder is an insult -- would someone please apologize? The coolant, battery, and oil sensors act-up and the car likes to spring coolant leaks at various gaskets. Can't recommend the Catera because the car has problems with tire wear and alignment. Mine does and so do many others. The problem with the tires isn't the GM customers' problem and should have been ironed out during the 3 years the car was tested in Europe as an Opel. I think Cadillac changed the size of the tires for the US market, but didn't take into account that the suspension system wasn't substantial enough to take on the added loads. When a car manufacturer makes a design mistake and leaves the customer holding the bag, and I'm the customer, I stop being the customer. Cadillac replaced the first set of 4 tires after 18,000 miles. Now, 17,000 miles later the car needs tires again! Cadillac tried to blame me for not rotating them, which I have proof is untrue, then refused to put an inspection sticker on the car until I bought new tires, offering them to me for the bargain basement price of $147 each. I took the car to another shop after Cadillac put the first new tires on at 18,000 miles and completed the alignment recall. The independent shop told me the alignment was out already, after only a month. Took the car back to the dealer who told me the alignment was fine. Now with the need for a second set, after the tire rotation argument failed, they checked the alignment and told me it was out, which is what I tried to tell them in the first place! They expect me to pay for the tires, now, blaming me for the alignment. To add insult to injury, while they were doing the most recent alignment, they gave me a loaner car. Cadillac's policy is to give you a comparable car while they have yours. This time they gave me a 1989 DeVille with bald tires and 3 gallons of gas in the tank. I will never lease, buy, or even look at another Cadillac again, much less anything else this dealer has to offer. E-mail me if you live in the Phila. area and want to know a dealer to avoid. I'll gladly identify them. Similar Products Used: Owned a 1995 Mazda Millenia and wish I had it back. That was a reliable, comfortable, and classy automobile. It's a shame Mazda fell on hard economic times, or more people would give their car the shot it deserves. |
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[Nov 01, 2000]
Mimi
Strength:
As far as we can tell, there are no strengths. Maybe the radio sounds good, but ours has been repaired several times.
Weakness:
We have had three sets of tires in 30,000 miles and are still being told it's the tires. It always pulls to the right. The rotors and brakes are problems. The transmission has been replaced, as well as the alternator. The air conditioner never works correctly. I could go on and on. This is a horrible car. My husband actually drives it (when it's not in the shop) and has had nothing but problems with it. We bought it used with 27,000 miles and have since found out the previous owner had nothing but trouble with it. It's been to 3 different dealerships and all seem to be incompetent. You would think they would admit to a problem and solve it just to get rid of us. We are now taking legal action because we have finally been told by an independent tire dealer that the frame is bent and it will always pull to the right unless the frame is fixed. The bent frame is not a result of an accident. We were told at one of the dealerships we've taken it to that this is a common problem, but Caddilac will not admit to that. Similar Products Used: I drive a Landrover Discovery which is basically a truck that rides 1000 times smoother and has no problems in comparison. |
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[Oct 20, 2000]
Renee
Strength:
The only good things I can say about this car is the sound system is excellent. It is the only thing that works on mine!
Weakness:
Well, let's see.... I have had my water pump replaced twice. Some kind of valve problem. They have replaced my tires twice and the car needs a third set at 50,000 miles. The dealership is now refusing to admit there is a problem with the cars design. The front door chawk broke, they fixed it, but only after saying I had put extreme pressure on the door. Yeah, the extreme pressure of opening it daily (I guess I am suppose to climb in and out of the front drivers window, OH YEAH, that doesn't work either)! They had to replace exterior trim that was damaged by the broken door. And last but not least, this car wears breaks like a cheap suit. I would love to get rid of it, but it seems everyone in this state has wised up when it comes to this car. As far as I am concerned, I got ripped off. I will never own another Cadillac. I should have bought myself a $1,500.00 moped an invested the other 33 grand in a house or something. Similar Products Used: I had a Saab 9000. The Saab's ride wasn't nearly as smooth as the Catera, but I never had any problems with the saab. |
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[Oct 15, 2000]
al
Strength:
Bose soundsystem is very nice. The interior is as nice as any of the 30 somthings its in competition with. ($30,000 cars) Its priced right, I got mine for 16500 with all the trimings with 27k miles on it. Its certified for 6 years or 70K. Thats nice. The wheels and tires are great and it rides firm but nice. The warrenty is bumper to bumper with road-side assistance and a loaner when its in for service.(which is all too often)
Weakness:
The cup-holder sucks! The car has been in for service far too many times. If I had paid $30,000 for the car new I would be really mad. The abs light, the traction control light, the driver side window stuck up (better than down). The gas mileage on my car is not great (about 17mpg in the city) the maxima has a 200+ hp motor and its milage is much better. No place to put the tapes and cds so I can enjoy that grat sound system. Very Weak! For the most part I like my Catera; it is a lot of car for the money. I am a little concerned about the life of the car. If Im having all these problems with 40K miles on the car, what will it be like with 120K miles? This is a better buy used then any new car in under $20,000. (Gm,Ford,Honda,Toyota,etc.) With the warrenty. Would I recommend it? For $15,000 YES, nothing like it. For $30,000 No way, Save up for a real car a c-class or a is300 of my pick a new 325. Similar Products Used: Most of the people in my family drive the ultimate driving machine and the car (caddy) is no bmw. There is a m3, a 328 and a 735i all are far better cars in driving and in quality. They also cost alot more which is the reason I don't have one. (not yet anyway) |
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[Oct 03, 2000]
Monica Rodriguez
Strength:
We have experienced nothing but troubles, but the bass system is nice, the stereo system, gives it its one star rating.
Weakness:
We have had our tires replaced four times within a year, experienced many electrical problems, head light problems, sevice engine soon light kept apearing for no apperent reason, timing chain broke, we have had 3 battery replacements, odometer stopped working, sun roof broke, and the alternator had to be replaced, front door hinge is faulty, and interior trim is breaking (cheap); all this occured under 60,000 miles, except for the timing chain and GM will not do anything, about there faulty product. I think you could find a better operating car for half the price. Similar Products Used: I wouldn't know but i do know this, i will never buy a caddy again, im getting it fixed and getting rid of it. |


