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3-18-2003
by Trevor Hofmann
1997 - 2001 Cadillac Catera - European Handling Meets Domestic Luxury
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| 1999 Cadillac Catera. (Photo: General Motors) |
Do you remember the Catera? If not, chances are you'll remember its marketing campaign. Touted as the Cadillac that 'zigs' when introduced in 1997, the rear-wheel-drive sport sedan partially derived from GM's European division Opel, lived up to its performance-oriented marketing pitch.
But it wasn't all about driving dynamics. The Catera was of course being sold within GM's most premium domestic brand and therefore needed to offer top-tier luxury appointments. Leather and woodgrain were featured as were all the expected power accessories, making the new model fit for North American tastes.
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| 1999 Cadillac Catera. (Photo: General Motors) |
Cadillac did a nice enough job that the car received the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's (AJAC) Best New Luxury Car for 1997. So why didn't it face off as well against Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz as GM hoped it would?
While European car aficionado's questioned the new model's unknown quality and reliability, and others were simply not willing to be seen in a domestic vehicle, the main reason it wasn't a runaway success came down to styling. From the front end the Catera looks a little too Chevrolet, not unattractive but not quite in the same league as other luxury cars, or other Cadillac models for that matter.
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| 1999 Cadillac Catera. (Photo: General Motors) |
The rear, well, its full-width light bar seemed outdated before it was new, a throwback to the 1980s that hardly tugged on the sophisticated upwardly mobile business professional heartstrings Cadillac was targeting. Instead of pulling younger buyers away from the imports, the Catera was left to steel a few domestic buyers from Lincoln and Chrysler while offering GM buyers a new, exciting alternative.
Inside it was quite roomy, easily seating five adults in comfort. A pass-through bag is hidden behind the center armrest to allow storage for longer items like skis when two passengers are sitting in the back, and split folding rear seatbacks when more loading space is required. The trunk itself offers a fairly substantial 411 L (14.5 cu ft) of cargo volume.
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| 2000 Cadillac Catera split folding rear seatbacks. (Photo: General Motors) |
With skiing in mind the Catera's standard traction control was helpful in snowy conditions, an especially important feature in rear-wheel drive cars. Even in the dry it kept the 200-hp 3.0-L V6 engine's 192 lb-ft of torque in check during speedy getaways. OK, it didn't exactly light a fire under the tires, mostly due to the car's 1,710 kg (3,770 lb) curb weight, but for the time its performance was decent enough. Fuel consumption, however, was fairly good at 11.0 L/100 km (22 mpg) combined city/highway.
Model year 1998 saw the introduction of a few safety and convenience features, a 3-point seatbelt in the centre rear position, an updated traction control system and an optional electric rear sunshade, really handy for infants and small children who are especially prone to direct sunlight. ABS brakes and dual front airbags were already standard on the 1997 car, while side-impact airbags were optional. What's more, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Catera high marks for offset crash testing.
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| 2000 Cadillac Catera interior. (Photo: General Motors) |
The following year Cadillac updated the throttle system to a drive-by-wire setup, improving reaction and feel, while a new sport package added a dose of visual and dynamic excitement, with a decklid spoiler and specially tuned suspension.
The biggest changes waited until model year 2000, when both the interior and exterior underwent modifications. While the cabin's styling was updated it was now possible to get the Catera without leather. The replacement of its full-width taillight with much more attractive traditional taillamps was welcomed, giving the car a more sophisticated appearance. Also, a more efficient transmission oil cooler improved reliability and side airbags plus OnStar communications added to the standard safety features. The Sport model was also updated in 2000, with 17-inch alloy wheels on H-rated Goodyear tires and high-intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights.
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| 2000 Cadillac Catera. (Photo: General Motors) |
The last two years of the Catera's production are the obvious best bets, but all years represent extremely good value. Especially when factoring in the Cadillac's stellar reliability. Over its five year tenure, the model received only one recall campaign, and that only for incorrectly dealer installed child seat tether anchors in 1997. But the early cars had a few inherent problems worthy of keeping an eye out for. First, if the car has passed the 100,000 km mark check service records for a replacement timing belt, it's due. Oil leaks around the outside of the cover can also be a problem, although not as major. Also problematic is the crankshaft pulley that if defective can lose its harmonic balance.
If you're looking for a little North American luxury combined with European flare but would rather not break the bank, the Ruesselsheim, Germany built Catera might just be an ideal companion. Its agile handling, full array of luxury features and higher than average reliability make it a good bet. The fact it can be bought for a much lower than import price factors well into the equation too.
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