2001 Cadillac Catera Review
Price Estimate: $1,575 - $2,553





+15
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Roomy interior, fun to drive, comfortable seats.
Cons
- No manual transmission, troubled history, several worthy competitors cost less.
What’s new
OnStar 2.6 in-vehicle safety, security and information service, vented rear disc brakes and the Solar Protect windshield are now standard on all models. The Catera Sport receives new seats, and projector beam headlamps are now standard on the base Catera.
Edmunds says
An average entry-level luxury sport sedan in a category full of above-average competitors.
For sale near Carbondale, IL
3 listings
- Photos not available
- 70,000 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- Bill Penney Toyota (250 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
Close
Located in Huntsville, AL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: W06VR54R51R072747
Stock: 5T2149A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-03-2025 - Photos not available
- 23,800 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- Lightning Lizard Auto Sales (491 mi away)
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
Close
Located in Wintersville, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: W06VR54R21R000940
Stock: 11266
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-06-2025
Vehicle overview
Cadillac was the first domestic luxury automaker to attack the entry-level market head-on with the introduction of the Catera. After its first full year on the market, Catera rolled up sales of 25,411 units, making it the most successful launch of an entry-luxury model in U.S. history to date. Based on the European-market Opel Omega MV6, the Catera features a 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Built in Russelsheim, Germany, the Catera is touted by Cadillac as a blend of the best of German and American engineering.
Alas, Cadillac encountered a number of stumbling blocks after the Catera's launch. First-year cars suffered serious electrical problems. An attempt to install standard side airbags in 1998 was a complete failure: thousands of Cateras sat in the dockyard for months waiting to have the flawed systems removed before finding their way to dealerships. In 1999, imports didn't begin until six months into the new model year when a redesigned fuel tank was deemed problematic. And last year wasn't any better when problems at the factory forced the delay of the 2000 version. Furthermore, despite rear-wheel drive and a powerful engine, Catera didn't appeal to enthusiast drivers who wanted a manual transmission.
After tidying up the design and fine-tuning the suspension last year, Cadillac continues attempts to remove the tarnish from the Catera nameplate by adding vented rear disc brakes, OnStar's new version 2.6 and a Solar Protect windshield to the Catera and Catera Sport.
Outside, the Catera's sheetmetal remains unchanged; The Catera Sport's cabin has been tweaked this year, downgrading the 10-way power driver's seat to an eight-way power seat that mirrors that of the passenger.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
$303/mo for Catera Base
Catera Base
vs
$177/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Cadillac Catera Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Still perfect after 100,000 miles
4.38 out of 5 starsHeckofaman, 04/08/2008
2001 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
This has been a great car and a real bargain. Mine was purchased as a low mileage certified car and is still flawless after over 100k miles driven over some very rough Detroit freeways. I have every option including sunroof, factory chrome wheels, rear sunshade, and Bose system...and every thing works. The dealer has replaced small items like the headlights under warranty and has done a … good job of normal maintenance without ever overcharging or suggesting unnecessary service [I've owned a BMW 6 Series that always needed expensive service]. The ride is firm enough without being harsh...good even over Detroit's rough roads, and the steering is still tight. MPG = 28 highway at 75 MPH+
It's my own fault
3 out of 5 starsDavid H Myers, 02/18/2015
2001 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
After my wife totalled my Chrysler 300, she bought a 2001 Catera from our mechanic. The sold it to us for $600 + $2,400 in repairs. It seemed OK at first. I suppose I shoudn't have let her buy such an old car. The water pump went, then the fuel pump, then the key lock. As stated by others, the sunroof has a mind of its own. I am spending, on average, about $600 / month to keep this thing … on the road. It still needs from front end work. They don't make the part for the electronic anti-theft key anymore; mechanic had to order the part from MO. I have put my wife to task to do something about this thing. We have to get rid of it. Getting rid of it was one of the six happiest days of my life. They don't call it a Cadillac Caterrible for nothing. I dumped it.
PERFECT CAR - NO PROBLEMS
4.88 out of 5 starsPAveL, 05/01/2009
2001 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
I bought cadillac almost year ago with 86k miles. sport package, winter package, xenon headlights, bose audio, 17 inch rims and many more. ABSOLUTLY NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR!!! Vehicle in great shape without breaking the budget. perfect car for every day luxury transportation. Reliable and comfortable.
What A Lemon
2.25 out of 5 starsEileen, 10/25/2010
2001 Cadillac Catera 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
This is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned; and I've owned many. The engine blew at 77,000 miles and needed a total rebuild. Then the rear went, as did the radiator, and the battery. The radio goes on and off at will, the oil light does the same. The rear windows, if you make the mistake of lowering them, will come back up when they feel like it - sometimes it takes days. As … of today, I have been riding around with a garbage bag covering my window and it's been down for 3 days! The rear lights, including the blinkers, also work when they want to. The electronics in this vehicle are a joke. What a piece of junk.
2001 Catera Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $31,305 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $303/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Catera include:
- Alarm
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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