Cadillac Catera?

[xeene]

The Catera, due in part to reliability problems including initial tire wear issues caused by an "autobahn-friendly" alignment specification, and engine failures (for which a recall was eventually offered by GM) as well as a disappointing marketing campaign, was dropped after the 2001 model year. Consumer and automotive publications have generally reported the Catera's reliability improved significantly with the 1999 model year. Approximately 95,000 Cateras were sold in the United States in its five-year production run.

By the time the Catera was dropped, Cadillac would begin the company's current "Art & Science" design theme, and would skip a model year before unveiling the Catera's replacement, the American-designed & built Cadillac CTS, which would become a much more successful model.

In 2009, Car and Driver staff criticized the high praise that the Catera initially received, citing poor reliability and performance in hindsight.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

For the money they aren't bad. Like jesda said though they are tough to mantain for an american car.

[IanS]

Whats funny is that I joined that site in 2003 and didn't buy a Caddy until 2007.

The early Cateras had a nasty oil cooler problem that caused oil and coolant to mix. The cars were basically throwaways at 100,000 miles. The 2000 and later models were mechanically quite reliable, and their engines were carried over to the 2003 CTS (but no later).

I'd buy a 2000+ Catera if it was like... I don't know... $2000.

I dont know why they carried the engine over. They are junk. MAFS fail at random intervals because someone thought it would be a good idea to put them 10" below the throttle body, while at the same time allowing oil to build up in said throttle body due to poor PCV design.

They leak oil like crazy, and blow valve cover gaskets often. The best part is, when the gasket goes, ir fries the coil packs, which is one unit for an entire bank. Also the boots rot out and cause horrible misfires. Too bad no one sells boots, so you have to replace the entire coilpack assembly.

PS, stay away from the millenia S. Using a Miller cycle engine was a cool idea, but parts are super hard to find, and there is almost nobody who can diagnose them if you have engine problems.