Used 1998 Cadillac Catera Consumer Reviews
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Lots of Problems
Cassie , 12/04/2006
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I have owned a Catera for about two years and it's been in the shop almost as long as it's been on the road. It has had several problems, including overheating and electrical.
Nothing but Engine Problems...
Bill, 12/07/2006
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After many times in the shop and finally a blown head gasket I sent this car to the junk yard. The mechanic at the dealer told me "this is the worts car they ever made" Germany with an Opel engine.
1998 Cadillac Catera for sale near you
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- Base SedanMSRP: $6,9881,444 mi away
Was a great car
Mhoebener, 04/29/2003
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Our car only went in the shop under warrenty and once for the timing belt to be replaced after warrenty and they did that free. I say this was great because my wife has since totaled it.She ran a red light and although the car is now trash she was unhurt. This is one tough car. There were things about the car I did not like ex. disposable rotors eeek and the cost of the tires. But all and all this is one safe car.
Catera: Surprisingly Good!
GadaliaS, 04/30/2003
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this car new 11/98 and with the exception of a few recalls, I have had no mechanical problems with this car. I have 50,000 miles and recently replaced the tires and aligned the wheels. It is fun to drive, looks classy and gives good gas mileage on the road. The AM radio sucks, as well as the coffee cup holders but the car has been excellent!
Show this car some love!
elusive_one, 03/10/2008
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car used with 127000km for $5000 in 2007. This car has been fantastic for me as I drive it 1000km a week commuting. Very comfortable for long trips, excellent on the highway,being very powerful and smooth. It will cruise along at 130kmh all day without getting tired. The only mechanical failure I have had was a blown rear shock. Engine wise,it has been strong as an ox and not let me down. For a 'small' Cadillac, I find this car extremely roomy, and twice as roomy as my father's Lincoln LS. So far, this has been a wonderful car in every sense of the word. Good looking, reliable, comfortable, practical and yes, even fun! Do you wonder what a 22 yr old is doing driving a Cadillac?
my car
enver kamencic, 05/31/2003
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
this car is the best
Cadillac catera 98'
rastamunchys, 06/10/2015
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I got a catera 98 ive put alot of miles on it. When i got it it had 180000 miles approximately. I have over 214000 miles on it now, it runs a bit rough but still runs good. The speedometer was out when i got it, i just reset the module by detaching the batterys positive and detaching the main module and performance plus everything else electronical corrected it self. I have a strut issue now and som engin knocking and transmission problems due to thethe "service free" tranny, but im working on figuring that out on my own because the Cadillac dealershit wants to ober charge for the service. But over all for 900$ worth it. Great for a starting mechanic due to difficult engine.
this is a worst buy!
qtbdy1, 03/13/2002
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I am sorry to say, but the Cadillac Catera lacks on everything. The only thing that cadillac brings to the table with this car is a good sound system. The bose stereo I apreciate but everything else is wack. The city streets for this car is a killer. After having the car for a year and over 11,000 miles that i put on it things start to change. Catera. This is a worst buy. To tell you the truth, everything. Don't buy!!
Underrated Vehicle
rickmm, 07/02/2003
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my 98 Catera new. I have 37k on it. Problems: recall on the timing belt and a minor coolant leak. I am sorry that Cadillac discontinued this vehicle. This car had many good reviews at its inception; only to be followed by negative press in the area of reliability (mainly electrical issues). I have NOT experienced ONE electrical problem; nor would I say the car is unreliable. To the contrary, the car has been excellent. I think this car is extremely underrated and as a result, a bargain. I would certainly buy one again. I wish Opel sold here.
Lots of bugs after 40k miles
bill1, 07/04/2003
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Lots of small problems which are expensive to replace. Difficult engine compartment in which to work.
Know where to buy parts in case
Davison, Mi, 05/03/2008
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Personally I loved my catera, but found that 20 mpg average for a 3.0 sucks, Cadillac parts are very expensive, and things like to break easily and often. Starting with parts, DO NOT buy from dealership, a front lower control arm will run $472, a radiator $500, etc. Always go on ebay and search for the parts you need or look online. I found a front lower control arm for $100 on ebay with 22k miles and a radiator on radiatorexpress.com for $125. P.s I love this car but am into massive subs MTX 9500's and had them in my car but the BOSE system cannot be replaced with aftermarket unless you have the entire audio system rewired, or use a rca interface like me with bad bass levels.
Sewing machine smooth
Judy's get away vehicle , 09/23/2022
updated 09/30/2024
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This is one fine piece of engineered automobile. Smooth as silk running 3 liter V-6. Fine leather supportive seats and great sounding Bose radio. Cross the country bliss.
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Do not walk away, RUN!
Joecuzzi , 06/15/2024
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bought at a car auction and didn't know what I was getting into. Car broke down at the gas station 10 minutes after purchase. Leaked coolant and was overheating. I called "The Cadillac Specialist" and said, Hey I got a Cadillac Catera, he cut me off right away and said I can't help you! Took it to another place and $2700 later , they replaced the head gasket and resurfaced the heads. Drove it home and it was still leaking coolant.
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Don't get this even if its free!!!
tallbragg, 10/27/2014
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I currently own this car. It was given to us after my parents bought it for $3000 from someone in 1 1/2 ago with 52000 miles on it. They replaced the $500 water pump within a month. Everything seemed fine, so they dumped it on us. Two months later $1600 to replace engine seals. Lights were staying on and wore down the battery, new tires because they wear on inside (belts were completely showing even though outside of tire had plenty of tread), sunroof stopped working, heated seats stopped, transmission issues, trunk lock, door locks stick... It now has 60,000 with very moderate driving. The money, time, and stress of this car is not worth it.
Out to Pasture
SadCatera Owner, 08/05/2006
1998 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
When I got my 2002 Catera it only had 36,000 miles. Let's see, it needed a new valve cover gasket to the tune of $1,100, and oil cooler for $850, a heater control valve for $250, three batteries at $65 each, and a radiator for $450. Now I have a blown head gasket...I am not fixing it any more. This puppy will go to pasture. Avoid this car at all cost. When running right, it was nice...but that wasnt very often.