2001CadillacCateraCadillac Catera2001 Cadillac CateraSedanSedanRWDAfter mildly successful front and rear styling enhancements and a revised interior last year, the 2001 model year brings forth few changes for the Catera. OnStar 2.6 in-vehicle safety, security and information service, vented rear disc brakes and the Solar Protect windshield are now standard on all models. The Catera Sport receives new seats and projector beam headlamps are now standard on the base Catera.Roomy interior, fun to drive, comfortable seats. No manual transmission, troubled history, several worthy competitors cost less.Cadillac was the first domestic luxury automaker to attack the entry-level market head-on with the introduction of the Catera. After its first full year on the market, Catera rolled up sales of 25,411 units, making it the most successful launch of an entry-luxury model in U.S. history to date. Based on the European-market Opel Omega MV6, the Catera features a 200-horsepower, 3.0-liter DOHC V6 engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Built in Russelsheim, Germany, the Catera is touted by Cadillac as a blend of the best of German and American engineering. Alas, Cadillac encountered a number of stumbling blocks after the Catera's launch. First-year cars suffered serious electrical problems. An attempt to install standard side airbags in 1998 was a complete failure: thousands of Cateras sat in the dockyard for months waiting to have the flawed systems removed before finding their way to dealerships. In 1999, imports didn't begin until six months into the new model year when a redesigned fuel tank was deemed problematic. And last year wasn't any better when problems at the factory forced the delay of the 2000 version. Furthermore, despite rear-wheel drive and a powerful engine, Catera didn't appeal to enthusiast drivers who wanted a manual transmission. After tidying up the design and fine-tuning the suspension last year, Cadillac continues attempts to remove the tarnish from the Catera nameplate by adding vented rear disc brakes, OnStar's new version 2.6 and a Solar Protect windshield to the Catera and Catera Sport. Outside, the Catera's sheetmetal remains unchanged; The Catera Sport's cabin has been tweaked this year, downgrading the 10-way power driver's seat to an eight-way power seat that mirrors that of the passenger. Audi A4BMW 3-SeriesInfiniti I30Lexus ES 300450,000450,000450,0006100,000NANANA63 litersV6200 hp @ 6000 rpm192 ft-lbs. @ 3600 rpm192.2 in.70.3 in.56.4 in.3770 lbs.107.4 in.38.7 in.38.4 in.54.6 in.55.9 in.54.9 in.55.2 in.42.2 in.37.5 in.14.5 cu.ft.StandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedGoodPoor18 gal.17 mpg / 24 mpg306 mi. / 432 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$29,112$31,3057.35%$640N/A3% of the Total MSRPCATERA (4A): 3L V6 DOHC SMPI 24-valve engine (requires premium unleaded fuel); driver's selectable multi-mode 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 310 amp battery with rundown protection; engine oil cooler; 120 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, traction control, 3.90 axle ratio; dual stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; auto-leveling suspension, front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; power recirculating ball steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 18 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; front and rear body-colored bumpers; body-colored bodyside molding; clearcoat monotone paint; projector beam halogen fully automatic headlamps with daytime running lights, delay-off feature; additional exterior lights include cornering lights, front fog/driving lights; driver's and passenger's powerremote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels; P225/55HR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; dual-zone front air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts; AM stereo/FM stereo radio, clock, seek-scan feature, cassette player, 8 speakers, theft deterrent, window grid diversity antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote trunk release, power remote fuel door release; cell phone pre-wiring, 3 power accessory outlets, front and rear lighter elements, ash tray; driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, emergency S.O.S. (OnStar); instrumentation display includes tachometer, oil pressure gauge, water temperature gauge, volt gauge, exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, low oil level, low coolant, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, door ajar, trunkajar, service interval, turn signal on; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, tracker system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with front and rear 1-touch down function; heated washer fluid jets variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment, lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 2-way power adjustment, 6-way adjustment, lumbar support; 40/20/40 folding rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, center pass-thru armrest; front and rear height adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert with carpet lower, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, simulated wood door panel insert, simulated wood console insert, chrome interioraccents; interior lights include dome light with delay front and rear reading lights, door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, refrigerated/cooled box, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, cargo net, cargo tie downs, cargo light, concealed cargo storage; chrome grille, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and body-colored door handles.