1998 Cadillac Catera Sport 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Faster, comfortable, handling, luxury car

Faults:

First month, the crank sensor went out.

In winter season, sometime the dash light is off and sometime is OK.

The horn went out at 120 000 km.

I replace with new one for 160$ (cad)

The disk break overheat if I drive hard.

Heat seat (driver) went out.

General Comments:

This car is seriously quick and handles like it's on rails.

The cabin is very comfortable and the seats are very very comfortable.

The car is very sport and perfect handles at high speed.

The problem I describe is normal.

I have no problem with this car and I recommend to everyone want to buy a great car/deal.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 2005

1998 Cadillac Catera from North America

Summary:

The Cadillac Catera is poorly made and the dealer in Marin County CA is incapable of servicing it

Faults:

The temperature indicator went on at 40000 miles. I took it to the dealer who fixed it only to have it go on again at 48000 miles. It went out again at 55000 miles. Now the car was out of warranty and the dealer charged me $400 to fix it. It went on again right away. Because the temperature guage had never overheated, only the light, I let it go. At 80000 miles I had oil in the cooling system, a blown gasket.

This in addition to going through three sets of tires in 80000 miles.

I also experienced the same problems with headlight alignment that others have mentioned.

General Comments:

The car looks good and is comfortable, but after experiencing poor product quality and dealer incompetence you can be sure I'll never own another Cadillac.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th February, 2005

16th Feb 2005, 10:33

You say you'll never own another Cadillac, and then under "Would you buy another car from this manufacturer?" you put "YES". Make up your mind.

5th Mar 2006, 22:19

Lets be fair. Its not a true cadillac. More an opel than anything. Rebadged and more luxurious inside maybe, but not a pure cadillac.

15th Mar 2006, 00:14

I am getting ready to purchase a 97 Catera. These comments are scaring me to death. I have called the local Cadillac dealer and they told me that the car has one open recall that needs to be fixed. My question is did you guys get all recalls fixed on your Cateras? Or have you called the Cadillac dealer to see if there are still outstanding recalls on your cars? They run the VIN # and can tell you right away.

15th Mar 2006, 08:05

Get the service history for the Catera you're considering and read it thoroughly. These cars can be nightmares in terms of electrical and cooling system issues. If you can be sure that all the recalls have been performed and the majority of issues have been fixed, then it's your call. Also, realize that the resale value of this car has tanked (for a number of reasons), so try to deal on it if you are still thinking of buying it.

I would recommend looking around for other cars--maybe a later model Catera (like a 2000 or 2001). They were VASTLY improved in quality.

23rd Nov 2009, 16:52

So I have 98 Catera and I'm experiencing the coolant problems now. I have the oil in coolant and I think I'm building too much pressure, cause I just had a heater control valve blow, and I fixed it then the coolant cap blew, and I fixed it. Now the water pump blew. I was just wondering if anybody else has had these problems, and if you have what did you do to fix it? And could anybody please tell me what the main recalls are on these things?

1998 Cadillac Catera from North America

Summary:

A luxury sports sedan bargain

Faults:

Transmission started to hesitate on shifts after hard work, dealer replaced with a new transmission without any argument under Cadillac warranty.

Two coolant leaks fixed under Cadillac warranty.

Plug wires are very expensive and hard to replace had to replace one side at 110,000 kilometers.

Front leather seats showing some minor checking.

Wiper mechanism is are very weak have broken twice when frozen to windshield.

General Comments:

Absolutely a great sports/luxury sedan if you can't afford a BMW.

I purchased an extensive aftermarket warranty and have not yet got my money back from it.

I am very pleased with the car and I drive it hard.

It has a great transmission, always gearing down when it should.

I am considering buying a 2001.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th February, 2004