'98 Cadillac Catera, $500

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura) 07/17/2016 at 18:00 • Filed to: None

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28

110k miles.

Issues: ABS sensor not relaying wheel speed to the control unit, causing Check Engine Light to come on. Also, something with “secondary air.”

I am told that everything is obsolete and unavailable for this car in the United States.

Does anyone have any experience with the Catera?

PS9 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 18:03

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I though Caddy was the one who made the Catera?

dogisbadob > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 18:10

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*Cadillac Catera :p

No firsthand experience, but I know the older ones are shit, but the 00-01 is MUCH better in terms of reliability

And of course, you can probably get parts from Europe and find a good forum. Secondary air is common on newer cars, but not so much in 98. It adds fresh air to the exhaust.

There might be some Catera/Omega forums that could help

S65 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 18:15

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It needs a 1JZ swap

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > dogisbadob 07/17/2016 at 18:15

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That’s what I was thinking.

dogisbadob > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 18:17

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Also, what codes do you have?

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 18:18

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I’d say $500 is totally worth it for a super rare one-off Oldsmobile.

whoarder is tellurium > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 18:26

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Off the top of my head:

Heater control valve failures which causes a coolant leak

Valve cover gaskets leaking and valve covers warping

Oil to water cooler in the valley going bad and mixing coolant in the oil

Timing belt tensioner recall

EBTCM controller faults

Abnormal tire wear (due to alignment)

Would definitely go for a refreshed 00-01 model like dogisbadob said, but it doesn’t get that much better.

Dave the car guy , still here > dogisbadob 07/17/2016 at 18:27

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Its not an extremely bad car but parts availability was crappy even when the cars were newer. Some had real issues but I’ve known a couple of guys who bought ones that people needed to unload and drove the cars for years after DIY repairs of the regular problems. The water control valve for heat is known to fail, bad auxiliary water pumps, the cooler mounted in the intake fails, many owners didn’t do timing belt resulting in bent valves when it goes, cylinder head crossover leaks, and various trim issues. Most parts can be gotten new but lots are discontinued at the dealership. RockAuto , and local parts stores should be able to keep one running along with a few wrecking yard trips. If I recall some suspension parts new or in aftermarket are rare or pricey. If the check engine light is on its not likely from a wheel sensor but the speed sensor on the transmission would more probably be the culprit.

Remember the commercial?

http://jalopnik.com/5971363/the-19…

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 19:12

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CP. Should pay you for taking that sorry piece of shit.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PS9 07/17/2016 at 19:13

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*Opel

JeepJeremy > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 19:14

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The Caddy that zigs

PS9 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/17/2016 at 19:52

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Come on with that. You know what I meant.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PS9 07/17/2016 at 20:06

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Got in post edit.

boxrocket > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/17/2016 at 22:55

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$500?!

That’s about $1500 more than I’d spend for one in good, running condition.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dave the car guy , still here 07/18/2016 at 09:39

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Too many issues. I’m going to pass. Thanks for the thorough reply.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whoarder is tellurium 07/18/2016 at 09:40

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Sounds like the best examples would be problematic, at best. I’m going to pass on this one. Thank you for the thorough reply!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 07/18/2016 at 09:41

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Why don’t you tell me how you really feel about it?

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > S65 07/18/2016 at 09:43

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And it’s spinning both rear wheels.

Dave the car guy , still here > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/18/2016 at 09:51

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No problem. Our Chevy shop had a Cadillac franchise for 5 yrs so I saw a lots of those through the shop.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dave the car guy , still here 07/18/2016 at 12:19

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I got some great Oppo on this. Thank you.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dave the car guy , still here 07/18/2016 at 18:58

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Dave, do you have any experience with this engine?

http://oliphantchuckerbutty.kinja.com/chevy-vvt-v6-3…

I’m looking at a ‘13 Impala with 69k miles and a salvage title. The Impala is already a car that does not hold resale value, and if the salvage history isn’t gorey, well, it’s a lot of car for $6,800. Or less, if the guy is negotiable. (Comparable Ford Fusions hold about 30% more resale value...)

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whoarder is tellurium 07/18/2016 at 19:02

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Do you have any experience with this engine?

http://oliphantchuckerbutty.kinja.com/chevy-vvt-v6-3…

whoarder is tellurium > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/18/2016 at 19:16

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What model year? I think the early 3.6 VVT had timing chain issues, but later models were fixed.

Other than that, just the potential for carbon build up (with direct injection).

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > whoarder is tellurium 07/18/2016 at 20:20

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2013

Dave the car guy , still here > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/18/2016 at 22:13

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Yes, some are prone to timing chain, tensioner and guide wear if oil change intervals weren’t followed. Parts alone exceed $500 real quick. Check for stored codes if no engine light. I’ve always thought GM Dexos is better than the average synthetic blend but why not have full synthetic to prevent even more wear. I think they’ve cheaped out because of the several years of warrantied maintenance that come with many late models. At least at 69k if the codes come up clear and you can run it without setting new codes you can start with full synth and hope for many happy years of driving. Prior to 2010 GM hadn’t hardened the chain surfaces on High Feature V6s enough making those a worse gamble, with a 2013 you’re less likely to have an engine issue. I’d look over the body repairs carefully and be concerned about the salvage title. Best to make sure the car is safe and wasn’t fixed on a budget.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dave the car guy , still here 07/19/2016 at 00:53

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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Dave the car guy , still here 07/19/2016 at 00:58

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I'd go full synthetic. Valvoline? Mobil 1? Amsoil?

Dave the car guy , still here > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 07/19/2016 at 07:32

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Mobil 1 , Pennzoil Platinum or Castrol Edge are my preferences. Amsoil is too difficult to get in some regions without online ordering.