Catera? Malibu?

**DopeStar 156** · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-04, 12:20 AM

I drive a 99 Chevy Malibu and I parked one day next to a Cadillac Catera and notices a lot of similarities. Are they the same car? Much like a Camaro and a Firebird are the same? They seemed to be the same length and had similar looking aspects.

**Vesicant** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-04, 12:34 AM

Nope

The Malibu is I believe, based on a Saab 9'3, and the Catera is based on an Opel Omega which shares very little if any with Saab (mainly only the engine).

Im surprised, this is the second time ive heard of people thinking and/or mistaking the Catera with a Malibu

.

Reguardless, there you go... question answered.

**DopeStar 156** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-04, 12:43 AM

Oohh... Ok thanks. The only car I'm sure about was an Oldsmobile which I believe was a Cutlass. They both look perfectly identical. I'm also suspecting the Pontiac Grand AM being another. Well thanks for the knowledge!

**Playdrv4me** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-06-04, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefferyG

Nope

The Malibu is I believe, based on a Saab 9'3, and the Catera is based on an Opel Omega which shares very little if any with Saab (mainly only the engine).

Im surprised, this is the second time ive heard of people thinking and/or mistaking the Catera with a Malibu

.

Reguardless, there you go... question answered.

I dont think the previous Malibu had anything to do with the Saab, the 04 does share architecture with it. The previous Malibu shared platforms with the current Impala and as mentioned, was a dead ringer for the more luxurious and now defunct Olds Cutlass version.

**Vesicant** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-06-04, 10:56 AM

Hey dope, you ever have any problems with your Malibu? I hear they are a Barrel full... tailight problems, brake & driveline problems, HVAC Problems.

STS · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-04, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JefferyG

Hey dope, you ever have any problems with your Malibu? I hear they are a Barrel full... tailight problems, brake & driveline problems, HVAC Problems.

you shouldn't be talkin jeff.... you own a catera.

**Vesicant** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-04, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STS

you shouldn't be talkin jeff.... you own a catera.

Bah, I havent had any MAJOR problems with my Catera... yet?

El Dobro · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-04, 09:05 PM

The Catera has a closer relative in the L-Series Saturn. They even share the same engine. The suspension is different though because the Saturn has FWD.

**Vesicant** · #9 (**permalink**) 03-07-04, 09:47 PM

I agree...

I wonder about the L-Series and if that will have the same oil cooling problems the Catera did... from 2000 up its been "fixed" but occasionally you'll still find someone with a problem. Not only that, but the tensioner failures still show up, in any year really; but not so much 2000 +.

El Dobro · #10 (**permalink**) 03-07-04, 10:07 PM

The V-6 Saturns have the oil cooler leak, but so far, there's no problem with the tensioners.