I guess the style has caught me...... I have been looking at these cars, and I think I might want one...... I mean, a 7000 price for a 98 model with around 75k..... Not bad if you ask me....
So what do you think of them...... performance wise, how good are they..... Is acceleration equal to the Q (I doubt it)....
Opinions on cadillac catera.....
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Jeff Williams
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2000 Infiniti I30t
2004 Infiniti M45
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Performance isn't so hot compared to the Q - the Catera only has a 200hp V-6, I remember the 0-60 times were not very impressive (like high 7's...basically a stock S13 could beat it). It's heavy for being the Caddy that "zings", surprisingly heavy...over 3500lbs IIRC. Handling is pretty good for a sedan, it's RWD, doesn't have that crude, numb feeling that the older FWD Caddies had. Feedback is good. It's based on an Opel platform...Vectra, maybe?
Overall it's pretty mediocre as a luxury sedan, really not in the same class as the Q, even J30 class would be a stretch IMO. Maybe more like a heavy G20 alternative minus the reliability.
Overall it's pretty mediocre as a luxury sedan, really not in the same class as the Q, even J30 class would be a stretch IMO. Maybe more like a heavy G20 alternative minus the reliability.
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nuQ
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2009 Dodge Caliber SXT - Location: Bethlehem PA
OUCH!!! THINK ABOUT IT!! One thing I learned about owning cars,,,,,no matter how great a car looks, if it's boring to drive, it gets old REAL quick. Performance is the key,,,,,and it's hard to replace the performance of the Q. It looks understated buy classy and sporty at the same time, with incredible performance. I still look forward to taking her for a long drive with nowhere in particular to go and the stereo cranked!!!!! Just my opinion, and cars are definitely a matter of taste,,,do what makes you happy!!!!!! Jeff
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docsmile71
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Don't do it!! The Catera is another Motown flop. "The Caddy that Zigs?"
They are dirt cheap and valued accordingly. If they were such a good deal they would be getting snatched up all over the country. Go buy a Lumina, they have the same styling.
Read this http://www.epinions.com/auto_M...views and see what the owners have to say.
They are dirt cheap and valued accordingly. If they were such a good deal they would be getting snatched up all over the country. Go buy a Lumina, they have the same styling.
Read this http://www.epinions.com/auto_M...views and see what the owners have to say.
[quote=" Meantime [B It's based on an Opel platform...Vectra, maybe? . [/quote]
Opel Omega.The near flagship of Opel Motors.
Opel is a old and well established German manufacturer, that was bought by GM during the great German Depression of 1922-26 (GM ownership didnt stop it from making war material during WWII, Opel factories were always mysteriously excluded from US Bombing)
Mostly an econo brand roughly comparable to dodge here.
Bitter Automobile makes a tuned and improved versions of these cars usually based on the flagship Opel Senator.
Fred..
Opel Omega.The near flagship of Opel Motors.
Opel is a old and well established German manufacturer, that was bought by GM during the great German Depression of 1922-26 (GM ownership didnt stop it from making war material during WWII, Opel factories were always mysteriously excluded from US Bombing)
Mostly an econo brand roughly comparable to dodge here.
Bitter Automobile makes a tuned and improved versions of these cars usually based on the flagship Opel Senator.
Fred..
elwesso wrote:Its not that I dont LIKE it, I DESPISE IT!!
Golf carts are RWD...... So are cars supposed to be this way??? NO!!! Maybe for little econoboxes, but not for a REAL car, IMO......
docsmile71 wrote:He dun like FWD.
Despite being FWD, 95-99 Maxima handles better than many RWD. Try Mazda6, and tell if FWD matters to you. Do you drive most of the time using controlled oversteer? What is your the statement based on?
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nuQ
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2009 Dodge Caliber SXT - Location: Bethlehem PA
like i said before,,,,if you're goin' caddy, do it right,,,,
A 69 DEVILLE CONVERTIBLE!!!!!!!! i read an interview with iggy pop (don't tell me you've never heard of him, wes!!!LOL). anyway, he said he's driven all kinds of $$$$cars, but the one that gets more stare's, questions, thumbs ups, is his 69 deville convertible, even more than his testorossa!!!!! do the right thing, hang on to Q, or find the mint deville vert'! nuff said----right hitman!!!
A 69 DEVILLE CONVERTIBLE!!!!!!!! i read an interview with iggy pop (don't tell me you've never heard of him, wes!!!LOL). anyway, he said he's driven all kinds of $$$$cars, but the one that gets more stare's, questions, thumbs ups, is his 69 deville convertible, even more than his testorossa!!!!! do the right thing, hang on to Q, or find the mint deville vert'! nuff said----right hitman!!!
A year ago these teens were in a Catera (black with black tints all around) and they were next to me. I was just cruising and followed them for a bit. However, they started driving a little crazy so I kind of backed off. They were tailgating and cutting people off. I could here him floor the car at times.
Anyways, he later stops for gas at the gas station and so did I. He had his hood up and I asked him what happened. He said his engine was smoking because he drove it too hard. lol I just drove away with a smile in my head and realized how much I love my J.
Oh yeah, he claimed to have 300 hp with mods. I could only see blue spark plug wires thats all. I dont know what perfomance mods he had that would boost him up to 300.
Anyways, take care.
Later...
Anyways, he later stops for gas at the gas station and so did I. He had his hood up and I asked him what happened. He said his engine was smoking because he drove it too hard. lol I just drove away with a smile in my head and realized how much I love my J.
Oh yeah, he claimed to have 300 hp with mods. I could only see blue spark plug wires thats all. I dont know what perfomance mods he had that would boost him up to 300.
Anyways, take care.
Later...
Merkur owner
I have the Ford version of the Catera, The Merkur Scorpio. Theme and variation on " Why don't we import a real German car for the American Market?". Well because a "real German car" costs real German Deutsche Marks. No matter how you slice it the result is less for more.
I got the Scorpio at a bargain price because it could not shake the American perception from the dealer network. The car is not terribly unreliable, but the market is so small that problems are hard to fix. The Infiniti J30 is a very similar car to the Scorpio (4 doors, V6, RWD, independent suspension, etc...) with a little more power and a little less brakes.
The big perceptual difference between the cars is timing. The J30 is just a few tenths slower. Not in 0-60, but in downshifting the transmission at a stop sign, pulsing the anti locks, and turning in the steering. This really does make a difference. These are really little finesse, or tuning issues, but the Germans did do a better job.
The parts are not that glorious and are found on plenty of other American cars. I guess that the tuning and details of a German car add up to a different experience that is worth giving up that dollar value difference.
Given the pros and cons, the Infiniti experience has been better for me. Factory and online help is much better, parts are cheaper, and I have more faith in Infiniti sticking around.
I got the Scorpio at a bargain price because it could not shake the American perception from the dealer network. The car is not terribly unreliable, but the market is so small that problems are hard to fix. The Infiniti J30 is a very similar car to the Scorpio (4 doors, V6, RWD, independent suspension, etc...) with a little more power and a little less brakes.
The big perceptual difference between the cars is timing. The J30 is just a few tenths slower. Not in 0-60, but in downshifting the transmission at a stop sign, pulsing the anti locks, and turning in the steering. This really does make a difference. These are really little finesse, or tuning issues, but the Germans did do a better job.
The parts are not that glorious and are found on plenty of other American cars. I guess that the tuning and details of a German car add up to a different experience that is worth giving up that dollar value difference.
Given the pros and cons, the Infiniti experience has been better for me. Factory and online help is much better, parts are cheaper, and I have more faith in Infiniti sticking around.
My father-in-law has a Catera and I HATE IT!!! If you are fairly tall (I'm 6'2") you can't see out of the low wind shield. Add to that, the interior rear view mirror blocks the view from just to the right of straight ahead all the way to the right A pillar. Its like driving while looking through a toilet paper tube.
My father-in-law is 5'5" and he loves it.
My father-in-law is 5'5" and he loves it.
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Repo Man
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elwesso wrote:I love it!!! Its classic GM for you..... Drive her hard and she splodes!!
Im glad I have a high performance engine that can be run at the redline daily for 250k+ with no ill affects!!!
Easy Wes, both my dad and I have had Buick engines that ran like demons for looooong periods of time and they never exploded, even when experiencing some knock. The performance v8's are also solid performers and my 3800 engine in my Grand Prix didn't even get hot when I took it through driving school (on a roadcourse).
The Catera is definitely not known for it's performance or reliability nor it's looks (at least in a positive light). I would not buy one and I DAMN sure wouldn't let go of a Q to buy one.
I found a '95 Deville with a cloth top and 54k miles that is in cherry condition that you could get for 8 or 9k where I work. I'll even get it financed for you!