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Cadillac Catera

124 messages,  Last post on Feb 22, 2013 at 2:20 AM

You are in the Cadillac Catera Forum.

What is this discussion about? Cadillac Catera, Sedan

    

Messages Page 1 of 13

#1 of 124 Hello & Welcome! by KarenS HOST

Sep 06, 2001 (8:44 am)

Please take a moment to introduce yourself and share some details about your Catera!
 
My name is KarenS and I am the host of the Edmunds.com Owner's Clubs. Please let me know what discussions you would like to see in your Club folder. I will create them ASAP. You may want to take a look through the other clubs to get ideas for discussions.
 
Also, if you are interested in a live chat, I can arrange that for you. All Club chats are set up on
 
Tuesdays:
4:00-5:00 pm PT/7:00-8:00pm ET
 
-or-
 
Thursdays:
5:00-6:00pm PT/8:00-9:00pm ET
6:00-7:00pm PT/9:00-10:00 ET
7:00-8:00pm PT/10:00-11:00pm ET
(The latter may be rather late for East Coasters, but is available if you want.)
 
Let me know if you are interested in a chat and the day/time convenient for you.
 
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
 
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs

#2 of 124 Merckx Signing In... by merckx

Sep 06, 2001 (3:35 pm)

First of all,I would love to get a chat going.Of all the slots you mentioned,Thursday from 9:00 to 10:00 ET would be best for me,but Monday at same Eastern Time would be even better.I do the Mercedes chat on Tuesday.But let's DEFINATELY do it!
I am a 12th grade English teacher by trade,and I love it,but I have been a car entheuist my whole life.Until recently,I've always had prosaisic cars,a 1971 Torino sedan given to me by my father in 1977,a 1981 Chevy Citation I bought new ,and a 1993 Taurus I also bought new.All this time,and way before,I'd suscribed to CAR&DRIVER and read all the other car mags,too.
Last March,I bought a 2001 Passat 1.8T 5spd.-I REALLY love it!Last May I bought a 2001 Catera(sage with convience package).It is the first "nice" car I've had,but every time I drive it,it is still an utter THRILL!I espically love the rather heavy steering and the stiff suspension.I think it handles like a dream-very Mercedes-like- at half the price of an E320.
I used to race road bicycles and an still an avid follower of the pro scene in Europe.
More later...

#4 of 124 Black on Black by dhvyl

Sep 16, 2001 (5:34 pm)

I bought a used 1998 Catera. The car seems to be a standard basic package that doesn't have the CD player, sunroof, or chrome wheel. But then again, I saved about $3000 on my vehcile cost without these fearures. Non the less, I still like this car. Trying to get use to a rear wheel drive vehicle is taking time but after putting this car on the highway last weekend, I am very pleased with its performance. Also, I think that the Catera has a definite edge in interms of interior stlying because of the combine Germanic and American detail. The Catera give you and America feel of Luxury with a Germanic feel richness of quality that I real like. The doors on the Catera close with authority and not harshness. I was equally impressed with the Load level feature that the Catera has incorporated into the vehicle design. I would encourage anyone who is looking for a preowned vehicle to take a look at the Catera. If you want to spend about 16,500 to 18000 on a new vehicle, treat yourself to German design and buy a 1998 Cadillac Catera. One of the nice things that I have seen about used Cateras is that most of them have not come back from lease looking extremely tattered and run down. My black Catera still has considerable tire tread at 45,000 miles and the body has no apparent scratches or damage. Also my VIN had a clean title history. I enjoy driving but didn't want to be in the poor house with a monthly car note. The Catera fit my budget and needs perfectly. Also my friend think that the car looks "way cool" :o). Now, if I can just find a CD Changer for the trunk.

#6 of 124 New 98 Catera Owner by jacrab

Apr 07, 2002 (12:39 pm)

I purchased my Catera about a week ago, and so far so good. This car drives great. I will be coming back here from time to time to provide updates.

#7 of 124 Catera 98 Stereo by jacrab

Apr 07, 2002 (12:43 pm)

Could someone tell me about the bass in their stereo system. I was at another catera site last night, and a lot of the owners in the area of strengths gave it to the stereo system.
My stereo doesn't seem to have a lot of bass compared to other car stereo's I've heard. Also, the radio stations doesn't seem to come in to clear at times.
 
Any suggestions.

#8 of 124 Crankshaft Sensor by htexbb

Dec 04, 2003 (10:50 am)

I have a 1998 Catera and was having problems with the car stalling out. After a few minutes (sometimes) it would start up. Had it at the dealers 3 times with no help. Finally it stalled and I had to have it towed to the dealer but it started right up. Fortunately while they had it hooked up it stalled and they determined it was the crankshaft sensor was going bad. Has anyone else had this problem? Also is this covered by a warranty? It is costing $450 for part and labor.

#9 of 124 Cam cover oil leak by dhulboy

Jan 06, 2004 (10:39 am)

Anyone else have a cam cover oil leak? Especially anyone who does their own mechanical work. Gaskets were extremely expensive ($60 ea.)and I haven't been able to find them anywhere except at a Cadillac dealer. I'm not familiar with overhead cam engines, it is normal to have oil stay in the cam cover ? Is it normal for oil to enter the spark plug cavity when the wire is removed ?

#10 of 124 Crankshaft Position Sensor strikes again! by jestermi

Jun 27, 2005 (6:04 pm)

The crankshaft sensor appears to be a growing problem with Catera's. Mine started as a problem restarting when hot. Then the engine would shut off while driving it. My '98 was in the shop 3 times. First diagnosed with corroded battery contacts, then a new battery installed, then a new fuel pump. This was very disappointing as my Catera has had no problems (other than that stupid cupholder breaking apart and regular alignments). I gave up on it until coming across some discussion threads that pointed to the crank sensor. My local dealer wanted over $400 to change it but couldn't guarantee it was the problem. The feeling I was left with was their extreme desire not to work on my car. So I got the GM service manuals from ebay and did it myself. Now the car is running and I saved big $$$. The sensor can be found online for less than $100.

Messages Page 1 of 13

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