Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

• 

  Junk Car - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By allendr - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Terrible workmanship. How many parts are there that could break.

• 

  catera review - 2001 Cadillac Catera
  By mach2rio - November 26 - 2:00 am

  We have had nothing bue excellent service from our Catera. Personally, I feel that the auto people of the world initially gave the car a bum rap and just could noe bring themselves to admit they were wrong. Such as the editors review here on the Edmunds site. The only thing my wife does not like is having a CD changer in the trunk.

• 

  Luxury and speed - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By mr. schmidt - November 25 - 2:00 am

  Ok the Catera may be Cadilac or is it. The leather seating adds a nice touch but is not very soft. One of the few to offer a v6 with a lot of punch. Its fast off the line and rides smoothly at hwy speeds. Compared to my previous Grand Prix it has more punch but the seating is not as comfortable.

• 

  Value, sport, comfort!! - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By THall - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I found a gem 99 Caterra and I have loved everyday with it. Due to the mixed reviews I bought an extended warranty and have not needed it. Anyway, this car kicks. Mine has the Bose system, moonroof, etc. German entry level luxury at half the price of a 325 or Audi its not rocket science to see what a bargain this vehcile is. Get the service manual on ebay and do most of the work yourself. Just did the front disk and rotors and it was a snap and less than half what the dealer wanted. Just take of it and it will take care of you.

• 

  Competitors have problem cars too.... - 1999 Cadillac Catera
  By laclas - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Yes, MB "S" w/engine lights that wont go off, brakes at 10K. BMWs w/bad climate ctrl sys, recalls. Forget Lexus & Infinity with the "smoke & mirror" advertising. Catera = excel car w/VALUE. In 3 yr. my Sport has performed flawlessly. Fit/finish, excellent. At 53k miles its tighter then the 5 series that I traded with 32k on it. The Catera has excellent traction control sys, trans, climate control, intr comfort & storage (w/folding rear seat). Ive tried 3 diff. dlrs while traveling. Great! I wish the CTS matched Cateras intr. fit/finish, comfort, & quality. The Catera includes "fine points" you dont find on Amer, Japanese, & newer German cars.

• 

  My Last Cadillac - 2000 Cadillac Catera
  By DavidE - November 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Catera for luxury, dependability and looks--because my father has owned eight Cadillacs. I have a car with tire, alignment and electrical problems, is expensive to maintain and gave me many other headaches. Despite textbook care, I am on my third set of tires and fourth battery. My AC has never cooled properly and re-programmed the sunroof at least 100 and the power windows and locks, the radio, headlights and trunk release have all been broken. I wanted Cadillac luxury, I got the Cadillac runaround and a lot of knowing nods from service people who know what a lemon this car is. Cadillac should be ashamed to put their name on this vehicle.

• 

  STAY AWAY from a used Catera - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Birn - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I have a 97 Catera that I bought new. I like a lot except when it is in the shop, which has been quite often in the past year. Many things have gone wrong that shouldnt have gone wrong at all, or at least not so soon. My first car was a GM (86 Pontiac Sunbird), and I swore I would never buy another GM car. Now I remember why, and this time I really, really wont buy another GM. Cadillac had a good marketing strategy-- build a car for younger buyers and get them hooked on the Cadillac brand--but the strategy has backfired (at least as far as Im concerned) because of the poor quality of the car.

• 

  Catera is totally unrealiable - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By Heavenly - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I have had my transmission replaced already. The car still seems like its struggling to accellerate. The antifreeze leaks constantly. Imperial Leasing refuses to let me turn the car in early. My moms friend had one she purchase brand new she had so many problems she got rid of it after 18 months but she took a huge loss because she had put a sizable down payment on it.

• 

  Catera ,german for "No One Can Fix it" - 1997 Cadillac Catera
  By Captain Canuk - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car off of lease with only 45k on it. At first we thought we had a great car. The ride was great and the handling was beautiful. After the first couple of months things started to go, front left signal light just fell off(poor plastic???bracket)then the tires started leaking (rusting rims after 50K same problem they had in the 70S),water pump,air conditioner pump,leaky oil cooler,driver side mirror discoloration, front breaks and finally the timing belt (recall). Our warranty is coming to an end in May and we are going to ditch the car for an import maybe we will upgrade to a Corolla!!

• 

  Reliable Review 85000 miles and counting - 1998 Cadillac Catera
  By sandman - October 17 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has a safe, well controlled ride that inspires confidence. It is a little expensive to maintain (ie, tires, brakes every 40,000)if you drive alot of miles. It has been very reliable. Maintainence is important with this car!!! I have had several German cars and this 1 is no different. Early models 97s early 98s had some electrical issues. If buying used look for late 98 or newer. Car rivals small BMW, Mercedes if you get one without eletrical glitches. Excellent room comfort and ride. Good used car buy resale is poor due to early eletrical issues. Recall Out for timing belt issue. Be safe change timing belt every 75,000miles.