Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Cadillac Catera shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Cadillac Catera offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Cadillac Catera at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Cadillac Catera? Wrong! If the Cadillac Catera is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Cadillac Catera then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Cadillac Catera? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Cadillac Catera and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Cadillac Catera wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Cadillac Catera then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Cadillac Catera site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Cadillac Catera, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Cadillac Catera, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox Automobile|name=Cadillac Catera|image=|manufacturer=General Motors (In Mexico & Europe)|predecessor=|successor=[Cadillac CTS|assembly=[Rüsselsheim, Germany
[Vauxhall Omega
Holden Commodore [luxury car|engine=3.0 L [GM 54-Degree V6 engine#L81 V6|length= |wheelbase= |width= |height= |weight= |layout=[FR layout
[Lincoln LS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class-->The Cadillac Catera was a mid-sized automobile that was largely a rebadged version of the Opel Omega MV6 made in Rüsselsheim, Germany. It was marketed in North America and other markets worldwide as an entry-level Cadillac. Cadillac's engineers made a number of luxury and safety modifications for the U.S. market, adding signifcantly to the MV6's original curb weight, as well as softening the car's suspension. Since the demise of Cadillac's top-of-the-line Cadillac Fleetwood in 1996, Cadillac wanted a third sedan. The Catera was brought to North America, and the Cadillac Seville became a top-of-the-line sedan, moving the Cadillac DeVille as Cadillac's middle-class sedan. Also, it was the only Cadillac built outside of the United States to come to North America by that time (the earlier Cadillac Allanté roadster was partially assembled in Italy).

The Catera debuted for the 1997 model year, and was subsequently updated with a new nose, wheels, interior trim, mirrors, HID headlights, stiffer suspension settings, and side airbags for 2000. Power came from a 54° GM 54-Degree V6 engine#L81 V6 to the FR layout, unlike all other Cadillacs of its day. The car's engine was made in England at GM's Ellesmere Port facility, the GM 4L30-E transmission, which was also used in the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series, as well as certain Isuzu products, was from GM's plant in Strasbourg, France. A Sport model of the Catera was offered beginning in 1999 featuring larger wheels, a firmer suspension, rear spoiler and other mostly cosmetic differences.

The Catera was marketed to younger demographic than traditional Cadillac buyers with the "Caddy that zigs" tagline, and the car generally delivered on its promise of European-style handling. The launch advertisements featured supermodel Cindy Crawford, who was paid a reported United States dollar350,000 for ads including talking to an animated duck-like creature known as "Ziggy", offered by Cadillac as follows - "Like Catera, he was hatched in Germany and has the sole mission of bringing fun to the luxury of Cadillac. He was one of six mythical, beakless, footless martins or "Merlettes" in the Cadillac Crest before we gave him big feet, a giant beak, and turned him around. He's quite a departure from his five brothers who have been part of the Cadillac Crest since the days of the crusades when the crest was the proud symbol of Le Sieu Antoine de la Motha Cadillac Family."

The car was smaller and had less power than other Cadillacs of the time. Though the Catera generally received good reviews from the automotive press, sales did not meet GM's expectations. The car was often seen as too small to appeal to the marque's traditional luxury car buyers and failed to attract as many buyers away from European luxury brands as GM had initially predicted. Some compared the Catera's short and disappointing production run to the disastrous Cadillac Cimarron of the early 1980s, although the Catera was a far better car in the opinion of most journalists and owners. The "duck's" disappearance from the company logo altogether in 1999 may have been a reaction to this failure.

A phrase in some of the car's advertising (lease a Catera) resulted in a character of CBS medical drama Chicago Hope being named for the car, Lisa Catera.

The Catera, due in part to reliability problems including initial tire wear issues caused by an "autobahn-friendly" alignment specification, and engine failures (for which a recall was eventually offered by GM) as well as a disappointing marketing campaign, was dropped after the 2001 model year. Consumer and automotive publications have generally reported the Catera's reliability improved significantly with the 1999 model year. Approximately 95,000 Cateras were sold in the United States in its five-year production run. A large (over 1600 members as of October 2006) free owners group for the Catera was founded by newspaper columnist and Catera owner Tom Meek in 2001 on Yahoo!, and serves as a primary Catera comprehensive information resource.

The Catera's basic platform/chassis continued in use until September 2006 in the North American Pontiac GTO, and until 2005 in the Holden Commodore and Holden Monaro in Australia. The European Omega was discontinued in 2003.

References & Links

• CateraOwners, the world's largest owners group for the Cadillac Catera
• Humorist Ian Shoales on the Catera marketing campaign

{{Infobox Automobile|name=Cadillac Catera|image=|manufacturer=General Motors (In Mexico & Europe)|predecessor=|successor=[Cadillac CTS|assembly=[Rüsselsheim, Germany
[Vauxhall Omega
Holden Commodore [luxury car|engine=3.0 L [GM 54-Degree V6 engine#L81 V6|length= |wheelbase= |width= |height= |weight= |layout=[FR layout
[Lincoln LS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class-->The Cadillac Catera was a mid-sized automobile that was largely a rebadged version of the Opel Omega MV6 made in Rüsselsheim, Germany. It was marketed in North America and other markets worldwide as an entry-level Cadillac. Cadillac's engineers made a number of luxury and safety modifications for the U.S. market, adding signifcantly to the MV6's original curb weight, as well as softening the car's suspension. Since the demise of Cadillac's top-of-the-line Cadillac Fleetwood in 1996, Cadillac wanted a third sedan. The Catera was brought to North America, and the Cadillac Seville became a top-of-the-line sedan, moving the Cadillac DeVille as Cadillac's middle-class sedan. Also, it was the only Cadillac built outside of the United States to come to North America by that time (the earlier Cadillac Allanté roadster was partially assembled in Italy).

The Catera debuted for the 1997 model year, and was subsequently updated with a new nose, wheels, interior trim, mirrors, HID headlights, stiffer suspension settings, and side airbags for 2000. Power came from a 54° GM 54-Degree V6 engine#L81 V6 to the FR layout, unlike all other Cadillacs of its day. The car's engine was made in England at GM's Ellesmere Port facility, the GM 4L30-E transmission, which was also used in the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series, as well as certain Isuzu products, was from GM's plant in Strasbourg, France. A Sport model of the Catera was offered beginning in 1999 featuring larger wheels, a firmer suspension, rear spoiler and other mostly cosmetic differences.

The Catera was marketed to younger demographic than traditional Cadillac buyers with the "Caddy that zigs" tagline, and the car generally delivered on its promise of European-style handling. The launch advertisements featured supermodel Cindy Crawford, who was paid a reported United States dollar350,000 for ads including talking to an animated duck-like creature known as "Ziggy", offered by Cadillac as follows - "Like Catera, he was hatched in Germany and has the sole mission of bringing fun to the luxury of Cadillac. He was one of six mythical, beakless, footless martins or "Merlettes" in the Cadillac Crest before we gave him big feet, a giant beak, and turned him around. He's quite a departure from his five brothers who have been part of the Cadillac Crest since the days of the crusades when the crest was the proud symbol of Le Sieu Antoine de la Motha Cadillac Family."

The car was smaller and had less power than other Cadillacs of the time. Though the Catera generally received good reviews from the automotive press, sales did not meet GM's expectations. The car was often seen as too small to appeal to the marque's traditional luxury car buyers and failed to attract as many buyers away from European luxury brands as GM had initially predicted. Some compared the Catera's short and disappointing production run to the disastrous Cadillac Cimarron of the early 1980s, although the Catera was a far better car in the opinion of most journalists and owners. The "duck's" disappearance from the company logo altogether in 1999 may have been a reaction to this failure.

A phrase in some of the car's advertising (lease a Catera) resulted in a character of CBS medical drama Chicago Hope being named for the car, Lisa Catera.

The Catera, due in part to reliability problems including initial tire wear issues caused by an "autobahn-friendly" alignment specification, and engine failures (for which a recall was eventually offered by GM) as well as a disappointing marketing campaign, was dropped after the 2001 model year. Consumer and automotive publications have generally reported the Catera's reliability improved significantly with the 1999 model year. Approximately 95,000 Cateras were sold in the United States in its five-year production run. A large (over 1600 members as of October 2006) free owners group for the Catera was founded by newspaper columnist and Catera owner Tom Meek in 2001 on Yahoo!, and serves as a primary Catera comprehensive information resource.

The Catera's basic platform/chassis continued in use until September 2006 in the North American Pontiac GTO, and until 2005 in the Holden Commodore and Holden Monaro in Australia. The European Omega was discontinued in 2003.

References & Links

• CateraOwners, the world's largest owners group for the Cadillac Catera
• Humorist Ian Shoales on the Catera marketing campaign