I have heard too many bad stories and good stories about this car. Recently purchased 2000 catera with 40,000 miles. didn't got the performance that I was expecting. Today It will be around -30 to -40 with windchill in twincities, MN. So yesterday I thought I must change oil as I don't know what kinds of sh** was in there and I was suspecting that there is a coolant leak. I usually use Amsoil synthetic on pretty much all of my vehicles. I didn't had time to do it DIY. So took it to pepboys. Have them throw in 5W30 Royal Purple(buddy of mine uses this brand in his vehicles) as they were running out of mobil1 synthetic. Pour about half a quart of Lucas synthetic oil stabilizer. Got on the road, whrrrrrrrooooommmmmmmm, Yup, Really caddy that zips. My next thing flush the sh** out of tranny as well, fill it up with Amsoil or Mobile1.

P.S. While they were changing the oil I asked them to see if they find any moisture in crankcase. And they said no they didn't. So, I belive that there is no coolant leak for now.

The Caddy that "zigs"... I'm not sure what they meant by that because it was, BY FFAARR, the slowest Caddy in production.. Sorry to say that if you were expecting a good performer, you purchased the wrong car.

However, if you wanted a pretty classy-looking car that handles well (maybe that's what they meant by "zigs") for a great price, you got the right car...

Not too many people have reported problems with the 2000s.

I have to wonder about something though, why would an oil change increase performance? When I've had cars that ran/performed better after an oil change, it was because I was letting them go to 5k between changes using real oil. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems to me that if you're seeing that much of a difference, the damage has already been done.

not sure of the reason, but i belive that someone was running dino 10W30 for a long time or something and may be a clogged filter also. I assume that when engine got a new filter and got some fresh air to breath, it sparked right up. I am assuming that when a tech said he didn't found any moisture in oil that means there was no coolant mixing going on, I trust this tech because he did some good trouble shooting on my brother in law's 1999 infinity (old way: listening to noise).

Post some pictures in our image section when you get some time. I rarely ever see a Catera on the road. I like 'em...

0-60 8.5 seconds , qtr mile in 16.5

Not that bad considering a 92 STS gets about the same times. :shhh: Its pretty much geared for top end power.



Anyways, how oils make power is that they significantly reduce friction in the engine- enough is reduced that the engine actually makes more power because theres less resistance.

I understand the the theory Jeffery. I just find it odd that it would be so noticable.

I have always noticed difference when you change a clogged filter. Oil may or may not but clogged filter! I always notice it.

The Catera's might not be much off the line compared to an STS but I'd wager that it will out-handle anything else Caddy has (XLR and new STS excluded since they're years ahead in technology). The handling is what I like about the car. That's probably what they meant by "zigs" as in zig-zag curves. Now, if they would have put a manual tranny in the car, then we could have some fun.

Could the Catera outhandle a CTS? I've never driven either...

I haven't driven the CTS either. Seeing as it's the successor to the Catera and the name stands for Catera Touring Sedan, I would hope that they improved on the old model. The CTS-V would certainly blow the Cat's doors off in all respects.

The CTS-V will blow most cars away, period. I want one...

The CTS is "very" responsive off the line, much more than the catera, The Catera feels sluggish compared to it. I would much rather be driving the CTS, but the Catera does seem to have a smoother ride, the CTS is a bit stiffer in the suspension.

I've driven both the CTS and Catera and the CTS will hand the Catera its behind. THe Catera is no slouch but the CTS really handles nimble. I am trying to keep acceleration out the equation. Also, the CTS has a manaual, the CTS auto only. This really helps the CTS.
To be honest what impressed me most about the CTS was the quality of plastics, leater and space. THe CTS in comparison, loses to the Catera there.

~Hi all~

Once I seen CTS at first I always wanted one. My choice have changed in a few ways. First I talked to a owner which sad that his CTS had a few problems with it. Then I got to race one from a stop light. It was auto and one of first CTS that came out. At first we were neck to neck then I got of to about half a car. CTS engine is not a whole lot more power over Catera. In fact it's just like a Catera engine just re-designed and also 3.2L I think. But again thanks to my modifications that helped me. I think I would not buy CTS for myself. I like Catera Sport more. What I think Caddy should done is re-design Catera even more and fixed all the problems. Maybe have a supercarged model optional. Too bad .... ....

Good luck all