Used 1997 Cadillac Catera Consumer Reviews
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Not Worth It
got used, 08/19/2004
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought the car 2 years ago with low mileage. Since then, the tension pulley for the timing belt let go damaging the engine (fortunately under recall), needed new coil, spark plugs and wires ($1,300), new tires (bought inexpensive Cooper tires at $795), needed new brakes (not done at the dealer at $500), and now all 24 valves are being replaced, along with the timing belt that was replaced last year ($2,700). The fog lamps don't work, the passenger client control doesn't work and the radio doesn't get any AM stations. While fun to drive, it has been a horrible car because of the repairs and its cost.
A love-hate affair
chaplain, 08/25/2004
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Cadillac fiinally got it right with the new ones, then quit making them. One of the best cars I've owned, but fraught with electrical problems, an engine that had to be replace at 40M, and ignition and air conditioning problems. In spite of it I am only reluctantly giving it up. If you can find one that's had all the bugs taken out, it's a great car!
1997 Cadillac Catera for sale near you
Showing 2 of 2 listings
- Base SedanMSRP: $7,980753 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: N/A791 mi away
NICE CAR
Hank123, 03/11/2003
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Wow, I have been reading some of these reviews, and I cannot belive the problems you guys are having with your cars. I have had mine for 3 years and the only problems I have had are 1) broke the cupholder 2) front pitman arm bushings wore out 3) power door locks froze up a couple times. That really is not bad for 3 years of driving. I cannot believe how much these have depreciated though. Catera owners need to stop selling them for so cheap! Remember, these were $30,000+ cars when they were new!
Caddy Fun
mike, 09/18/2006
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My Catera has a quiet ride and Cadillac quality. It would be even better if it had more horsepower, but overall it makes a great graduation gift and after all, it is a Cadillac.
Ready for the trash heap
no more caddies, 03/09/2002
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Don't waste your time and money purchasing a 1997 Catera. I bought one new and have had nothing but trouble--engine trouble and even trouble with the doors. You don't have time to read the list of problems this car has had. What a colossal waste of $33,000!!!
I should've bought a Camry.
carldhayesciw, 02/06/2003
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
A total waste of money. I've had this car for 3 years and only got about 8 months worth of driving out of it. The car has been in the shop longer than I've driven it! In fact, it's in the shop now! I'm just getting reimbursed for the money I've paid to repair the timing belt that broke @69k, a month after I just had the starter replaced. I wonder why Cadillac didn't recommend replacing the timing belt then. My advice is to buy Toyota. Leave Cadillac to the retired rich and rap stars.
Sporty and Fun
sammyceo, 04/23/2003
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Owned car since 1999, and still do. Good road handling, feel, and performance. Incredibly sharp car when it is clean, and leather interior is a great feature! The major drawback is that the car can't use chains in snowstorm. Not the best car for religious skiers, however it is okay in light snow.
Excellent
eddie, 04/23/2003
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
love the car, easy to maintain, never owned anything similar to it. Cadillac truly is smooth vehicle
So far SO GOOD!!
ExtraHorizon, 07/01/2003
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have shopped for a used car for several weeks- and it's not fun. There wasn't much out there that fit my requirements- Under 9K, low mileage, fun to drive but space for kids... I drove a beat up Catera first, and it drove like a dream! Corners excellent, and the sport transmission is fun and zippy. I started looking for a Catera in nice shape, and ended up with one in PERFECT condition. Seats look like new, every option, etc. The back seat has air vents and heated seats for the kids, the back seats fold down into the roomy trunk. I am having an absolute blast blowing away people on the interstate- hope I don't get a ticket soon.
Cateras are underrated
D. Green, 03/15/2002
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used from a private party. It had been in two hard wrecks-one at 7500 mi. and another at 14,900 mi. Idiots with improper equipment tried to fix car after first wreck. After second wreck, they thankfully did not try to "fix" it again. The body shop I ended up choosing to do the restoration did a wonderful job. We had to undo much of the so-called repairs that idiots did to the car after the first wreck. I used all Cadillac parts in restoration. My point is: after all this car has been through, it must be a really solid vehicle to have turned out so well. Well, my wife has latched on to it and drives it all the time. I guess we'll keep it.
Parts?
ldunlap, 04/04/2008
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought for my son in college. Nice looking car but expensive to keep up. Parts are hard to find.
Catera
dp, 12/10/2007
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Don't buy a Catera! We bought one in Feb. 07, and it ran great for 2 days total. Needed a new head gasket..it only had 60k miles on it. Great ride, great looking car but not reliable at all. The day we picked it up we were told by a mechanic that did not inspect the car that it was a piece of junk! He predicted either head gasket problems within 6 months. Two days after we got it, had a new radiator put in. Then, everything was leaking (transmission fluid, oil, water, brake fluid). We finally sold it for less than 1/4 of what we paid for it after 4 months..apparently everyone else knew about those problems but us!
Catera
dinoscaddy, 05/16/2008
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This thing is the worst car I could have bought. Air doesn't work, leaks oil, radiator fan doesn't work, climate control not working and it only has 87,000 miles. JUNK!
Money pit
jJason, 05/27/2008
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car with 35,000 miles and have had it for about 7 yrs. I've sunk so much money into, with having to repair and just general maintenance, because everything on it is so expensive. It's a wonder I never got rid of it and now I almost can't afford to. I've had to replace the engine after it blew, the A/C and it still has problems, the cooling system because it was getting oil in it.
Paying for the name only
mary, 09/09/2010
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
This car is a great ride. That's it. I can not find anyone to fix whatever is wrong. Dealers laugh at the cost to fix it. It runs for a week and then quits. Over and over again. I feel like driving it through a dealer window, but bought it privately. I will stick to Toyota from past experience. I thought since the motor was made in Germany that it would be a good car. I was wrong! This car needs to have permanent retirement in a junk yard. I would feel guilty selling it to anyone as gullible as I was. I should have known better (what was I thinking not buying a Toyota?).
Disappointment
alicep, 10/09/2006
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I loved the Catera's ride. It is a fast, good handling car. I also liked the special Cadillac features like outside temp and auto headlights, etc. Unfortunately, parts, labor, and maintenance are expensive because the car was made in Germany. I had the car for a year and just couldn't stand fixing it anymore and traded it in for a simple Ford.
Caddie Junk
JimB, 02/08/2007
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
My Catera was in the shop numerous times. I quickly learned to hate the car. GM did nothing to help.
98 Cadillac Catera
Dan, 09/29/2016
1997 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Best car ever owned
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value