[elvin315]

I don't know about that. Beauty's only sheetmetal deep. I own a 2001 Sport but can appreciate the subtle changes that Cadillac made to to the 1999 Catera in creating the Sport. I'd like the pre-facelift front facia better (except for the "bumper guards") if GM hadn't used variations of it on the Chevrolet Lumina, Corsica, and Beretta. Even the 2003 Impala has a hint of 1999 Catera. GM used it on Buicks and Oldsmobiles too. I like the side skirts on the '99 Sport better than the ones on my '01. The alloy wheels look better in the bare finish rather than painting them like on my '01. They'd be even better if they were 17 inchers.

The real deal is inside. I absolutely love the charcoal and black interior. Mine is charcoal and light grey. The contrast is bold but I prefer the darker colors. And those front buckets. Why they didn't carry over I don't know. Those are some serious sport seats. I think Recaro made them. If I ever find a set in my shade of grey leather, watch out. Get in my way and I'll trample you. Notice the lack of plasti-wood interior trim.

Like I said before, the '99 Sport had a stiffer suspension which was carried over as the standard suspension for the '00-'01 Catera. The '00-'01 Sports got an even stiffer setup. Cadillac introduced the Drive By Wire system in 1999 so the engines have the drooped snout plenum and coil on plug ignition among other things. Even the Omega didn't get them until the 3.2L engine debuted in 2001.

The little Catera group in Cadillac tried but without support the Sport was the last go at improving the Cat. GM killed the Catera/Omega V8. It had cooling issues that with a little developement could have been resolved. But the CTS was on its way, a car that had Cadillac's full support, so goodnight Catera.











Elvin