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« on: 26 January 2007, 08:58:23 »
Greetings from Buffalo, New York. My name is Elvin Rivera and I am the proud owner of a Cadillac Catera Sport. I believe it's equivilant to an Omega MV6. Maybe someone here can verify that for me. My "Cat" is a platinum 2001 Sport version with 53,000 miles. Your Omegas and our Cateras share the same 3.0L V6 powerplant but we get only the 4-speed automatic transmission. We also get the transmission's Sport setting in addition to Traction Control and Snow Mode. The Catera Sport has 17 inch wheels with 235/45-17 rubber. The suspension settings are decidedly firm, with self leveling shock absorbers on the rear. No Cadillac before the Catera ever handled like this. The resulting ride is closer to Corvette than Cadillac.
I absolutely love this car. It's had a few issues that I've had to address like weeping valve covers and a leaking heater valve but I expected things like this with a used car. Cadillac issued a recall regarding the timing belt tensioner and my car had its replaced at 18,000 miles so I guess I'll be due for a new belt and tensioner fairly soon. I wish there was a way to convert the belt to a chain but regardless, I accept this as part of owning the best handling car I've ever owned.
Handling is more important to me that top speed bragging rights. As big as this country is there are no autobahns on which to explore the far end of the speedometer. When the money appears I'll add lowering springs, premium sport dampers, and strut braces front and rear. I'll probably need upgraded control arm bushings and wheel alignment eccentric bolts too. I'm also shopping for bigger brakes or at least drilled/slotted discs with ceranic pads. I used to club race slaloms years ago, before being a responsible father took precedence, and would like to start again now that my kids are both done with college.
You can keep your BMWs, MBs, and Audis. I prefer Opel's styling, especially over the origami look that Cadillac has embraced. I seriously dislike their creased and folded sheetmetal. I've already added a personal touch to my Cat with new 17 inch wheels that wear Michelin snow tires for winter driving. I'd like to add a few body pieces like a front spoiler and side skirts to make her stand out. I don't want to go over the top, just some subtle updates. Those kits are hard to come by over here as the Catera was never a big seller. There's little aftermarket suport for her here so I'll have to order from the UK or Germany for what I want.
I generally like the 3.0L engine. I've owned motorcycles for almost thirty years (I currently ride a Kawasaki Concours, a GTR1000 to you) so I'm used to high reving engines, and boy does this engine like to spin. Sounds like a racecar. I do wish it didn't seem so delicate. The 3.0L doesn't enjoy a reputation for reliability over here. Among the complaints are leaking valve covers, seizing timing belt tensioners, leaking waterpumps, an oil cooler which contaminates the engine's coolant, and numerous electronic bugs. The biggest weakness is the timing belt which destroys pistons and valves when it lets go.
Like I said before I love the car, but would consider an engine swap. Is the 3.2L an improvement? Does it suffer these problems? Will the 3.2L swap easily with the 3.0L? Are the electronics the same for both engines? Cadillac uses the 3.2L in their CTS so they are available but if they're not an improvement why bother swapping. While I'm not looking for more power, the LS1 5.7L V8 would've been nice. Obviously they're plentiful here and have lots of aftermarket support. The Aussies put one into their Commodores. I wish Opel/Vauxhall had done the same.
Wow, I just realized I've droned on for too long. I apologize. I guess now you all know how long winded and boring I am. Still, I'm afraid it won't prevent me from posting from time to time. "I am what I am, and that's all that I am." Thanks for being patient.
Elvin
