Used 2000 Cadillac Catera Consumer Reviews
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problem after problem
Cadillac should be sued for making a piece of crap like this. I own a 2000 catera, and it stalls out at random. The rpm don't go above 1 when idling. My fuel cap censor is going haywire, my check engine censor is on the fritz as well. If Cadillac is going to keep making vehicles like this, then they need to go back to square 1 at the drawing board. Its my first car and I thought it was nice. It was nice for the fist 6 months, now it's been sitting in my driveway for the last 7 months.
Run Farrrr Away From Catera
the car runs perfectly when ur not spending thousands of dollars on it. worst cadillac ever built.check engine light always on.most users complain about cosmetic faults like door knob and all but let me tell you all the issues you will have with this cadi. catalytic converters,mass air flow sensor,o2 sensors,camshaft postion sensor,secondary air solenoid,crank sensor,air injection pump,modulator. once you fix all of those,a few thousand dollars after,you are good to go for a month or so till they all go bad again. trust me on this,the car is beautiful,lovely interior and sound system but there is something bout the engineering that just makes all those things go bad
Cadillac's Worst Car
This car is terrible. The one good thing I got out of it was that I could warn other people like you to NOT buy this car. I've had problem after problem with this car. It is always at the mechanic. Seemed like a good buy, but I spent so much more money repairing it. Some of the problems I had were my door falling apart, power windows stopped working, my ABS and traction control stopped working, and my speedomotor hasn't worked in months. My car randomly broke down once on my way to work too. This car is a PIECE. DO NOT buy one. Cadillac made a terrible car, I would never want anyone to have the problems I had with this car. It might look cute and nice on the outside, but it is terribly made.
Nice Handling
I do love this car, however it eats tires. We have had a new set every year since we have owned it. Also, we have had a lot of repair work done on it. It does drive nice and it's great to be in. Its gas mileage is average. It had about 25,000 miles on it when we bought it.
Europian "crap-ollac"
I have had nothing but problems with my car. I bought it used from a dealership for way too much. I didn't look at any consumer reviews before hand. I thought - "It's a Cadillac, of course it's nice!" Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. From the lot I had nothing but troubles with the car. I bought it with 38,000 in 2007, and now it rests, with a blown engine, in my drive way with 60,000 miles on it. Those were very expensive 22,000 miles! I am thankful though that this model wasn't an American made car. Come on gm! Do not buy this car!
Do not buy one
What a piece of junk! I took a gamble and bought a 2000 Catera this past August. Traded it in this month ( November ). In the 3 months I owned it, I spent almost $1,000 in repairs. Transmission solonoid, oil gasket, emission valve, brake boost valve....countless others needed and advised by my mechanic to cut my losses and pawn it off, so I did. If anyone out there is looking at buying one of these, don't! The car may look nice and the price may be right, but just don't do it. Parts are very expensive, and these cars are a real pain to work on! It will be a choice you will soon regret, just like I did. I got next to nothing on trade in too, by the way! Cost me lots of money in the end!
Mechanic's job security
I bought this low mileage Catera for my son because it appeared to be in excellent condition and it appeared well cared for. It was probably low mileage because it likely was in the shop all the time like I have experienced! I thought this platform was supposed to have been a well engineered Opel model brought to the U.S. to compete with the best sports sedans of the world? In the 1st 7 months, I spent over one third of the cost of the entire car on repairs! The car has nice features and is a good driving car, but I would be afraid to take it out of town in cold weather out of fear of being stranded!! I had hope to find my son a reliable car to take to college...I was very wrong!
To my surprise
I'm surprised by this car, I've not had a lot of problems with my sedan. I bought this used a few years back with 48,000 mi on it after I couldnt afford to get my older 7 series BMW fixed. I sometimes forgot I wasn't in my BMW when driving down the interstate because the Catera gripped the road like a small series BMW. If you stood outside this car you'd think a tall man like myself that stands 6'4 could never fit comfortably and then you get in, it's like wow? I've found that a lot of GM mechanics have a hard time working on my car because it's German made so I've been taking it to my BMW mechanic who feels right at home. I've serviced this car on a reg basis and soon approaching 100,000!
Catera
The Catera has been a fun car to drive with no problems whatsoever.
Belongs in Junk Yard
I purchased this car with 60,000 miles and had only 65,000 when I got rid of it. Nearly over 3,000 dollars was spent in repairs in less than a year. They included: door latch ($300), all 4 tie rods, mass air flow sensor, engine crank sensor, valve cover and gaskets, and coolant shut off switch. SRS, and rear shocks were bad too. Everything had too be fixed by the dealer, no ASE mechanic could service it, but had it towed from their shop to the dealer. The car came with a warranty, however, many parts were not covered, and there was a 250$ deductible for whatever was repaired. I knew another lady who had one and had even more trouble. Junk! Please do not buy.
Not a real Cadillac
The car drives like a dream, however, the check engine light will not go off. No one can find the problem. The rear middle seat belt locks and cannot be used. The gas mileage is horrible. A new fuel pump at 70K cost me $917. If you try to run anything except premium fuel, you will find yourself in a world of hurt. My advice is to buy a real Cadillac (Deville, for example). Better mileage, better service. Cadillac needs to stand behind this product and make it right. I sure wish I had bought a Deville!
Bad apples of the Cadillac.
Repaired 3 times check Engine never goes away. Inside Engine material is plastic imagine! on a 260 degree Hot Engine. that is why it constant need repair. This car should had been a recall. It stop in the middle of the road without warning. Don't bother to call GM they won't help you, this has been put under the carpet rather then recall. (IS Cheaper).
Excellent, but get a warranty!
I love my 2000 Cadillac Catera Sport. It's not far off from the German/UK versions of the Omega and it bears little resemblence inside or outside to other GM cars. The quality of the materials is excellent and the car is as tight as a drum and whisper quiet. The Xenon headlights and awesome looking 17 inch rims set the car apart. The 200HP engine is a bit slow but there's enough power. Just one word of advice: GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY! I bought mine with a GM certified extended warranty. Excellent value if you do this.
CUTE AND SMALL, BUT VERY STYLISH
I FOUND INSTANTLY AFTER DRIVINF THIS VEHICLE THAT YOU CANNOT JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. IT SURPRISED ME HOW ROOMY THE INTERIOR WAS. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SLOW, BUT IT HAD AN EXCELLENT TAKE OFF SPEED. IT RODE AS IF I WAS RIDING ON A CLOUD.
Love My Caddy
This is the epitomy of luxury in a sport sedan. It is absolutely impossible to lose control of this vehicle on ice, snow, etc. I love my Catera!!!!!!!
Fun To Drive
We have found our two Cateras fun to drive, easy to handle and a joy to drive on long trips. The power seats fit our bodies comfortably. The sunroof offers lots of options. We've had no maintenance problems with either our 1999 or 2000 Catera.
A Mechanic's Dream
This car stayed in towed more than it stayed on the road. Every time you fix one problem, another problem arises. The tow guy and I were on a first name basis. As a matter of fact, I had his number on speed dial. It is the worst piece of junk that I have ever owned. Cadillac really messed up with this one. They need to go back to the drawing board.
Wouldn't Buy It Again
After nearly twenty trips to the dealer for repairs, my Catera's rear windows still won't stay up, and it has constant engine sensor problems...the list goes on. I have been told by other owners as well as several technicians that there are lots of problems with this model. I would NOT recommend to anyone.
I just don't know
I just got this car and the rear end went out on it where the dealer told me there was nothing wrong with the car. now I'm working on getting the check engine light off
I love my catera
Buy you one I got this car a year ago with 83k it now has 106k she’s never let me down only had to get a radiator when I got it other than that she has been dependable
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
My first Cadillac
This car has been a dream to have. I have been through a lot of cars but this car takes the cake. I get a lot of offers from people to buy my car. it handles the road great. It's a eye catcher for sure. I've never seen a Catera like mine. Before purchasing this car Catera was the last thing on my mind to drive. When the salesman showed me the car and I test drove it I was in heaven. It have 62,000 miles on it in April of 2008 which sweetens the whole deal. Authentic Cadillac rag top. Maroon with 17" chrome Cadillac rims. Sunroof with OnStar. The only thing this car lacks is a spoiler they but if you ask me i think the spoiler lacks the car. I'm forever committed to Cadillacs. CTS-V HERE I COME!
Dont buy one new or used
Have had nothing but problems since Nov'98 when I purchased it. In the shop appox 30x you name it has broken GM gave me an extened warranty 75000 or 60 months to make up but. I wanted to trade it in after a year and a half but this thing was worth 1/3 of purchase price due to problems with them. Dealer I bought from didnt want it. I will never buy a Cadillac again.
Catera hardship
I bought my Catera about a month ago. I had been looking to buy a new one but they stop making them and this was the only one on the lot. Got a great deal on the car and about two weeks later the windsheilds decided it wanted to crack. So they put me in a Deville and I feel in love and traded my Catera the next day.
My 2000 Catera
This is my second Catera, the first being a 1997. I really liked that car, although I had a few annoying problems with it. I have had none of those problems with the 2000 model, and have thoroughly enjoyed driving the car. It has the road manners of a German sport sedan without the premium price.
read before you buy
well when we first looked at this car we thought...wow. We found a car that looks and drives like a dream for the right price...we were right but soon after we drove it hope the electric in this car went wacky, the headlight went out..$25. Then the brake lights stop working as well as the sunroof, cruise control and other small things
An Absolute WASTE Of Money!
I haven't even had this car for a month and it's already been in the shop three different times! Problems with the engine, mass air flow sensor, gaskets, and electrical problems. The first week I had it, ran great. Now the radio and heated seats quit working. And to top it all off, the sunroof automatically opens at random times and will not close! I thought cadillacs were nice reliable luxery vehicles???? Don't let the looks fool you!
Oye, Cateras break down a lot!
Lets see, before 20k miles, New tires, 10 balances on the old tires, new breaks and rotors, 8 new window sensors, rear subframe was not bolted on from the factory (car drove sideways ate tires) which Cadillac was kind enough to make me pay for (12k miles). Car is rusting (again Cadillac is letting me pay for the fix). 5 different times the check engine lights came on. Puked radiator fluid allover my garage, (towed), puked tranny fluid in my garage (towed). Moon roof locks up pretty much all of the time, but I figured out how to reset it. I will never buy another Cadillac
Good performer.
So far, the Catera has not had one mechanical problem nor warranty repair save the key fob. The seats are comfortable and the controls are all within reach. The car is larger than others i looked at making it comfortable for four and luggage. It handles well though not razor sharp. The Goodyear RSA's are not adequate.
DON'T BUY IT!!
Not a reliable car. Resale is horrible. I've been told by the mechanics at the dealership that it's impossible to fix a Catera because it's a foreign car. NOT A GM!
My Last Cadillac
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.
Worst car ever owned
What on earth went wrong with this model? Everything went wrong, it was in the shop ALL THE TIME. We had friends with one that was as bad as ours. The driver had to climb into the passenger seat to exit the car because he couldn't get the drivers door open! This is the worst car we have ever owned. It was a lovely car, but the quality was te
leased Catera
Drove vehicle 9.5 months - mostly to the repair shop. 14 visits for 21 discrepancies. Out of service for 35 days total. Roadside assistance never followed up on any calls. Cadillac arbitrator was illiterate with automobile related issues. I choice I lived to regret.
catera turbo 2000
Apart from tire trouble on rear wheels requiring replacement of 2 within 20000 miles there has been little problem. A recall on the pump system affecting the radiaror has been implemented wihout trouble.
What was I thinking?
The Catera provided the image but the issues were driving me nuts. The glove compartment pops open if the temp is below 12 degrees. The auto cup holder stick, the ignition key always stick. I had a hollering match with the owners of the dealership over the tire thread damage on the driver's side. They said it was normal wear and tear. Replace a battery, the steering column leakage caused car to lock up and I was stranded for hours waiting for roadside. Error lights are always on. I'm taking things very well but today is my last day with it and look forward to something less classy and more fun. PT Cruiser, here I come baby!
Catera, 2000
Great car. I like the German aire about the car. It is very different from the American and Japanese autos. This is highly under-rated automobile.
I live my Catera
I had always driven Hondas (since the 70s) In my old age I stepped up to the Catera and really you can't beat it for trips. I arrive feeling like I haven't driven 500 miles. Don't care what people say, I love the comfort, OnStar and the service I get locally. Small, enuf power and comfort.
Never again!!
Bought demo with 2000 kms (1200 miles). Worst car of the 12 I've owned. Car always in the shop, thinking of getting membership with local towing. Engine problems, rebuild the front end ($2000+), brakes ($1200), one wheel bearings ($700), electrical problems, rear defog, frequent stawling, powertrain controller, on third set of brakes and rotors, replaced stabilizer bars, and on and on and on...
car right for you?
Nice car but not for the person who likes power.
My Cadillac
I have enjoyed my 2000 Cadillac Catera very much. It is trustworthy and can accelerate quickly. The only thing that bothers me about it is that in the mornings when its engine is cold it seems to not go into first gear easily.
1st Caddy Daddy
This is my first Cadillac. I've always been a Lincoln Town Car man because of the size and comfort. I bought this Caddy used for $6,999. It was in immaculate shape. After test driving it, I fell in love. It has a smooth ride,very comfortable feel and is a joy to drive. I may complain about the appearance some but not much. The fantastic interior far outways the exterior's short cummings. The loud Bose sound system and fun to play with moonroof are great. The leather memory seats are definitely of the Cadillac quality. The engine could use a few more horses but I can't complain. It still has great power. If you're in the market for a Caddy, you can't go wrong with a 2000 or later Catera. I've had no problems with this car through 65,000 miles and counting!
Glad to be Rid of It
My Cadillac Catera has been nothing but trouble. I have had to make many trips to the dealer for minor repairs. The last problem was that the battery would die every time it rained. I had to meke three trips to the dealer for this problem and they could find nothing wrong. I traded it in and am glad to be rid of it.
Catera
It is fast. The motor has a powerful noise to it. It never broke down on me. It's a small car and it has a sporty look.
Most overlooked sport "import"
The best used car value available today. Period. Fit, finish, and road feel are on par with very good European sedans. To date, service and reliability have been outstanding (has needed virtually nothing). Relative to other cars that I've owned (Saab, BMW, and Audi), I'd have to say that it's not as good as any of them - but very close. On a cost adjusted basis, it's the best car I've ever come across by far. My dealer has commented that the cars are generally excellent, but when they get a lemon it's an aweful car. A used car with history is an absolute joy to own and a real bargain.
Cause Now Its Gone
Compared to my 1st two Cadillacs, they should be ashamed - not for experimenting, but for not admitting their failure and offering to buy them back. I thought Cadillac had more class than that. Major recalls. Broken A/C valve and vacuum connection, and loose battery cables at 3500 miles. Steering wheel not centered - awkward for driving. Steering wheel squeaked in cold. At 15500 miles, broken coolant valve and bald tires. Custom cloth top was ruined by Cadillac make-ready guy because he didn't know what he was doing. Back seat rattled. Suction noice when heater was on. Bad window seals. Burnt headlight at 10000 miles. Would die when turning corners.
Catera's Suck
Don't buy this car, it sucks. It's really a horrible shame. The car is a great size, has good styling, but ours has been in the shop more than it's been out. You name the part, it's been replaced atleast once--thank god for the warranty. I would NEVER get a Cadillac again.
love it
Well I'm 16 years old and I drive a 00' white Cadillac Catera. I love it everything about it is good. I wish they still made the Cateras. When i told everyone i was getting a caddy they all assumed it was going to be a big boat. But of course it's not, it's a great size and has a lot of room in it. Its very good for being a 2000.
Driving my 2000 Catera
I bought the car in 2022 rides like a dream under 100,000 miles! Paid a grand for it
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- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value