Faults:

-2008- ca 76800km (47k miles)

- Ignition Coil

- Spark plugs

- ECU - Electronic Control Unit

- Timing Belt (replaced in 2003 GM recall, possible dealer mistake using timing belt for 2.6 Liter engine)

- Single CD player is kaput.

- Driver side door rubber and "open control" replaced.

-2006- 60000km (37k miles)

Right front side body work and front bumper due to accident.

-2004- ca 50000km (32k miles)

- Windshield replaced due to weather "stress" crack in one corner of the windshield.

- Front axle - brake pad replacement.

-2003- ca. 35000km (25k miles)

All tires replaced.

GM recall - timing belt.

-2002- Auto shipped to Germany and certified for operation in Europe. No mechanical problems.

-2000- Auto bought in the USA.

General Comments:

- General Comments-

Good performance of the engine, road handling in all weather conditions, and interior comfort of the 2000 Catera.

Difficult to order parts for the Catera in Germany. Many Cadillac specific parts must ship from the US.

Difficult to locate quality Cadillac service in Germany.

Some operators are technically proficient to perform service on the auto. The average customer service is a (3,5) in a scale of 1 to 5, 1 is the best rate and 5 is the worst rate.

Car performance is responsive in all acceleration conditions until speed exceeds 150km/st (93mph) on the Autobahn - highway.

Excellent breaking controls in all driving conditions! Accidents were definitely avoided with the break systems controls.

Engine petrol consumption rate is lower than advertised by Cadillac: From 200 miles/14 gallons to 255 miles / 14.5 gallons - 13L/100km.

Premium benzine is used in the engine operation.

Average driving condition is equal between city and autobahn conditions.

All interior controls performed without problems. The environment controls must be set to high fan flow with 3 or more passengers are traveling together in the Catera.

Faults:

Head gasket blew.

Electrical system malfunctioned.

Ignition switch stopped working.

Timing belt was shredded.

ALL cams were misfiring.

Car would shake every time the brakes were stepped on.

General Comments:

This car has been trouble from the minute I bought it.

A week after I bought it the head gasket blew.

A few weeks later, the car wouldn't start. It had major electrical problems that needed to be repaired.

A few weeks later the car started to shake uncontrollably. The check engine light came on. After bringing the car to the first auto shop who couldn't figure out what the problem was, I brought the car to Cadillac who figured out that when the head gasket was placed, it was put on wrong. It was causing the timing belt to shred and all cams to misfire.

2 days after the car left the Cadillac shop the ignition switch died. I turned the car off, took the key out of the ignition, and the car was still running. It would have been funny if I wasn't so angry.

While driving to the auto shop to get the ignition switch fixed, the check engine light came on and the car would shake every time I stepped on the brake pedal. I told the shop, "don't even bother to fix it; just replace the ignition switch". Once that was taken care of, I traded that car in. I didn't even care about the loss I was taking by trading it in 6 months after I had bought it. I was just so happy to get rid of it! It spent more time in the shop than on the road. Everything takes longer to fix because it's so hard to find parts for that car.

Do yourself a favor, and don't buy a Catera!

Faults:

Coolant Leak.

General Comments:

The Catera has pleasantly surprised me. I know that there were problems with the older models, but the 2000 and 2001 models are absolute bargains for money.

I purchased a 2000 and I have put on 7,000 miles in the last three months and the car drives like a dream. For the comfort and features that you get in this car there is no way anyone should have reservations about purchasing one.