Cadillac Catera

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.91 of 5, 11.00 votes

Price Paid:  $16000.00 from Grand Rapids

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 Catera

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.

Strengths:
Looks nice

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

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
3.00 of 5, 7.00 votes

Price Paid:  $14000.00 from Cadillac Dealer

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Cadillac Catera Sport

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.

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

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

Price Paid:  $34000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 Catera

Summary:
Although I don't have much experience with this car, I am very happy with it and hope to continue to be. The dealership folks seem very nice and we hope to have a good relationship with them for warranty checks. I especially like the appearance inside and out.

Strengths:
Interior is comfortable and attractive. The exterior is sharp - sport package helps here. Paint is deep and applied well. Quiet. Good handling. Makes me feel special. Onstar and medical on demand.

Weaknesses:
Needs CD storage space. Interior floor mats should have a clear plastic to put over the rug - the light colors are attractive, but I worry about dirt and staining down the road. Cruise control should be in the wheel.

Similar Products Used:
97 Sebring Convertible traded. Catera is nicer, but newer after all. Have been happy in the past with the Chrysler product, but they are too expensive at this point for a repeat buy of the vehicle.

Price Paid:  $22700.00 from Suttle Cadillac

Year / Model Reviewed:
2001 /Catera

Summary:
In it''s first 5,000 miles,it has been a wonderful car. So many owners of the earlier ones have posted of catastrophic failures,and mine did need to have its waterpump replaced at 800 miles and its climate control panel replaced at 3,500 miles. That is troublesome,sure,but considering what I paid for it brand new,I really can''t complain. It drives magnificently. I''d say it has about 75% of the goodness of a Mercedes E320,but only 50% of its price. I do think the car is WAY undervalued,and wouldn''t hesitate a minute to reccomend buying a 2000 or 2001. It is very tight;the controls have more of a tactile,quality feel than the US Caddilacs costing $10,000+ more.

Strengths:
Excellent Steering-very Germanic. Very roomy,front and espically rear,considering car''s trim profile. Currently undervalued in marketplace. Very sporting nature.

Weaknesses:
Reliability still a huge question. Gas tank a little small-short range. A little sluggish.

Similar Products Used:
Vw Passat

Price Paid:  $33800.00 from Marvin Starr

Summary:
Lots of concerns with this car. First when you go over roads that have been worn down by trucks it is an outright adventure to see if you can move to the next lane. As I cross over these ruts (they are paved and no potholes) I almost loose control of the car. Now it does pull in the same situation at 35 mph, but as I say it becomes a true adventure at 65 to 70 mph. I now have the feeling that this car is dangerous. I have had it in to the dealer a few times and the loaner cars on the same roads that cause the Catera a problem do not happen with the loaner. Lastly the car will downshift (yes it is an automatic). What happens is at certain speeds going down hill and if you are coasting the car will drop out of 4th gear back to 3rd gear and you can see the revs jump. Getting it back into 4th gear requires stompping on the gas. It is a very intermittent problem, but I do seem to have it happen at least twice a week. I cannot let my wife drive this car as I feel it is dangerous and she does not have the experience handling cars. It is now in for a checkup on these problems and if they cannot fix it I will dump the car.

Strengths:
Nice interior and fairly comfortable. Very good road feel when the car is not out of control. A great highway crusier on flat roads.

Weaknesses:
Not enough interior space or storage. Not a good handling car in the winter snow unless you put on Arctic Alpen tires.

Similar Products Used:
None. This was my first Cadillac and probably my last.