1998 Cadillac Catera (Opel Omega) Start Up, Exhaust, and In Depth Review

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say thanks for bearing with me and the lack of uploading lately. I have a ton of videos to upload including vintage, exotics, new models, and some unique things to come. I have recently moved into a new house for my 4th year pharmacy school rotations and have been packing, unpacking, and dealing with all of this for a while. Now I'm finally able to slowly start getting back into the groove of things. I will also begin working on a new update video fairly soon to let you all know what has been happening lately. Thanks a bunch and enjoy the future vids to come!!!
~Kyle
Hello and welcome to Saabkyle04! KZbin's largest collection of automotive variety! In today's video, we'll take an up close and personal, in depth look at the 1998 Cadillac Catera, aka the Opel Omega in European markets. During this presentation, we will take a 1st person look at what the vehicle is all about beginning with the start up, performance data, fuel economy, the occasional track data, and build quality. Also, I will teach you how to use most of the interior and exterior features in a detailed fashion, that before, you could only get from going to a dealership yourself! Throughout the video, I will highlight key styling and unique differences about the vehicle, any available options, and of course it would not be an enthusiast car video without the good ole engine portion with rev and exhaust note with interior and exterior perspectives. A thorough tour/review of this car designed to give others a greater overall appreciation of the vehicle.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHANNEL SEE BELOW: In this channel you will find in depth reviews/tour of automobiles from all over the world, presented in a more detailed fashion than ever before. Basically, this gives the viewer the chance to view the most detailed 1st person look you can get without going to an actual dealer yourself! Every video is consistent in the way I present so viewers know what to expect in my presentations. I treat every vehicle with the same respect whether a 1960 Chevrolet Impala SS or the 2012 Lamborghini Aventador. I film all types of vehicles from past, present, and future while broadening the knowledge of the automotive enthusiast. You will see everything from vintage, brand new, exotic, mainstream, old, etc. I am very proud of this channel and have built it up from amateur videos years ago to what you see today. I wanted to share my love for the automotive world with the rest of the world. Be sure to explore the massive video variety, have fun and enjoy The Driver's Seat of KZbin!
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[@BodySculptTV]

I owned this car for a few years, I was extremely happy with it. I began ordering parts from Europe and made it into a middle of the road Euro Cross Breed. Lowered it with Vogtland Springs, Changed its headlights to Opel Projector style and had 275 50R16 Tires on it. It drove amazingly, unfortunately it was a very heavy car mated to a weak 200Hp engine that was maxed out with no room for growth. Putting a turbo or supercharger would have blown it up. A few people tried putting an LS engine in it but it was too cramped. The interior was gorgeous and lasting. It was in no way comparable to a Cadillac Cimarron, the Cimarron was utter garbage. If I found one of these for cheap and good condition I might make it a project car, perhaps make it electric or use one of the new smaller displacement turbo Cadillac engines on it. Glad I owned and enjoyed it.

[@billybellend1155]

The Omega was surprisingly well built for a GM. It was one of the first cars to have HID xenon headlights fitted as option.

[@Bartonovich52]

Yeah... the Lincoln Mk VIII had them in 1995.

[@franciscopaci7807]

@@Bartonovich52 my 1995 7 series also has xenons

[@tomislavlovricic7665]

I drive 98' Opel Omega 2.0 with 400k on the clock and LPG. Best car i ever had.

[@onetouchgarage4503]

U got sooooo lucky. Lol

[@tomislavlovricic7665]

+Christopher Noble yes i was.. its a good car.

[@WorldEvents2024]

+Tomislav Lovricic You got super lucky. I have 73,000 miles on my 2000 Sport model and I've had 100 problems with it. -__-

[@tomislavlovricic7665]

What kinde of problems?

[@jungyeonoppa7381]

+Tomislav Lovricic LPG fuel ?

[@MinnesotaChevy454]

Ah yes, the Cimarron phase two...

[@deniset2356]

Two of the ugliest Cadillacs ever made.... The re-badged, slightly tweaked Cavalier, and this Catera, just reminds me of a cheap car that someone slapped Cadillac emblems all over. There is nothing sporty or luxurious about that car. *shudders*

[@glendaly6367]

The Caddy is a Cavalier with leather seats.

[@Titanic19127]

MinnesotaChevy454 classic Nazi engineering

[@DolleHengst]

@@Titanic19127 The US needed a nazi and nazi engineering to put a man on the moon. Just sayin'

[@vishS14]

@@DolleHengst ik bedoel maar

[@Grajjje]

This was one of my favorite cars back when I was a kid

[@bodieofci5418]

In Britain it was called the Vauxhall Omega. I had one for a couple of years. It went like stink and was really comfy. Recommend it!

[@deadbeatproz]

Thanks for the tutorial, I just bought a 98 Catera today for a G, it's immaculate with new tires and runs really good. For a G can't beat it. Thanks to you I now know I have a sport button. Thanks man.

[@RocBoiBaccInTown]

How the car holding up? I just purchased one

[@bmwmsport11]

These things are rare. Thanks for the video.

[@georgelee7282]

These things are all over the place cheap as dirt. Many with nice bodies and interiors. I would LOVE to get one and do an LS swap on it. Nice little sleeper toy. Could surprise a few of my friends in the G8, SS, GTO, Caprice PPV club :)

[@cjdacka]

Is that because it's similar to a VT Commodore?

[@juelzm149]

Mr Lee that is a DAM good idea!!

[@wsx2000lol]

George Lee did you know that is almost like a Pontiac gto but sedan?

[@ramenraccoon159]

Hey I know I’m quite late but are there many people in the US that do LS swaps on cars like these? Because I want to LS swap my Omega in Germany and I don’t know where to do it so maybe I could get some advice in the US

[@TheEspenK]

@@ramenraccoon159 Search Opel omega, its basically the same car but 2-door in GTO, Monaro and 4door Omega or VT. Use engine-mount and engine-bay-layout from GTO and you can register as converted by GM-parts

[@harysuper]

Why do people hate these? They are RWD, and have German roots and this platform even shares a lot with the Holden Commodore and the Middle eastern Lumina which are pretty good cars.

[@SmellySnowBalls]

Becouse Cadilac putted bad engines in them, the european version is so much better then the US. Can't understand why they didn't just realesee them as ople with all the same motors and interior as the europe market

[@sequentialtt0415]

@@SmellySnowBalls Because that will benifitted Cadillac from losing it's share at that time because the name was given to (maybe) Opel or Chevrolet at that time but i guess why don't they just sell the VT Commodore there just by swapping a new Cadillac badge with a V8 all from Australia?

[@harysuper]

ElseWhere 47 they should have used the Commodore/Lumina instead of the Opel. But the Opel was a good car. I guess Cadillac wanted only the 3.0 and having a V8 would hurt sales of the FWD Deville and later the DTS. That’s my assumption. Also Caddy seemed to cut corners with this car. A long wheelbase like China’s park ave would have been nice but at least later we got the CTSV, G8, SS, and Caprice PPV so the wait was worth it.

[@TheEspenK]

@@SmellySnowBalls Same 3.0-Liter in US as the EU-3.0-liter (X30XE)

[@DrProfNiceGuy]

@@TheEspenK I think that too. And iam from Germany and we have 5 of them ;-)

[@vibingwithvinyl]

Later (2000+) Omegas were much more reliable. Those 90's models have a poor record of reliability.

[@CynicalBastard511]

The Opel Omega B served as a base for the Holden Commodore VT, VX, VY and VZ as well the variants based on each of them, including the Holden/Vauxhall Monaro sold in the U.S as the Pontiac GTO.

[@alexklein455]

This would be amazing with a supercharged 3800 😭

[@gerardcrabb4556]

They fitted that in Australia...

[@kyto21]

My parents had an Opel Omega 2.5 v6 Caravan back in 04, They sold it because of electronic problems but is was the most comfortable car they've owned.

[@Wesley_C]

This is a best forgotten car, very beautiful car, this body as Opel/Vauxhaull Omega.

[@SvennsCarchannel]

By the fact that i have worked at a Opel dealer in Norway fore several years i can say a littele bit about the Omega (Catera). The fact is that it isn`t as bad as many says, it is a fabously comfortable car to ride, soft and gentele not any of a sportscar! Mechanically it is pretty bulletproof but there are some electrical faults to be aware of such as positionsenors fore both crankshaft and camshafts! And fore the 2.0 16V 4 cylinder engine and the 2.5 24V V6 its very important that (continued)

[@knight280700]

I'm from the europe and i have got Opel Omega Wagon with 2.0 diesel engine and this is very cool car. In the europe omega is one of the biggest sedans. Its successor is the Opel Insignia in the U.S. market known as the Buick Regal.

[@davidcarter3830]

My father has one in this color and despite its weight and horsepower it has some good pickup.

[@davidjames666]

Easy revving that beast, that timing belt is the Cateras, Achilles heel, and if it gos, the interference engine will smash the valves faster than you can say "the car that zigs"

[@haydensproductions4716]

😂😂😂

[@devinthierault]

David James you can't zig zag the cad cat

[@marlenejeffries788]

does anyone know where the actuator door is on the 1998 catera is? my drivers side is blowing only cold air, and I need heat right now.

[@davidjames666]

I do not. Sometimes a recalibration will help fix a stuck actuator on a vent door. It's easy! Turn to full hot and wait a 20 seconds then full cold and wait 20 seconds. Repeat this 5 times. It will try to force the actuator to open and close fully. Hopefully it puts the vent back in operation. Also check your heater core valve. With full heat, both hoses should be hot. I am not familiar with your model.

[@DrProfNiceGuy]

Der Zahnriemen reist halt wenn man den Wechselintervall nicht einhält, ist bei jedem Auto mit Zahnriemen so du dummes Menschenkind ! Use Google Translate !

[@luisinhoens90]

23k miles on a 14 year old car (no matter if the car is good or garbage) is still pretty impressive!

[@dbrown51967]

a vauxhall omega in the uk. i drive a 2001 model and love it.

[@sumadijajesrbija6877]

i cant belive in that i have opel omega it is very good car

[@FanDeAlguersuari]

a friend of mine has an Opel Omega, and I have talked him about the Cadillac Catera. Today it's his birthday. This video is gonna be his gift. Sure he likes it

[@Pinkyswear]

your pronunciation of Rüsselsheim was pretty good actually :)

[@jeepguy95]

The Bose sound system was also available on the Catera. Great car, looks nice (:

[@mikewestwood567]

I used to have a Vauxhall Omega 2.6 CDX, loved that car so much!

[@10camss]

We had a neighbor that had this car and I always loved it because it looked so different (in a good way) from the traditional cadillac designs. Almost with Cadillac would have stuck with a rounded shape instead of the boxy look...but I guess that is there heritage.

[@rossnomore]

Yeah, I genuinely thought that was a real language, one which uses numbers in words. You are so wise, teach me, master of the internet

[@rootbeerfan6]

Kyle thanks for showing this Car. I have only seen one Catera and it was on a highway. None of the local Caddy dealers have ever had one on the lot.

[@civickyd04]

I purchased a leftover '97 Catera in March of '98 and it was the biggest POS I've ever owned. It was in the shop for 4 of the 6 months I owned it. Major electrical issues!

[@GTAMADDOG]

My nan has a Vauxhall Omega. Apart from the Vauxhall Carlton it's the only Vauxhall I can be bothered with. America must've got the parts-bin specials, because it's a pretty good car really, over here anyway.

[@Astonvanquishs]

it's nice that you mentioned that the car is also sold in Europe as Opel Omega for people who maybe did not know. I recommend to say it for every car if you have the chance

[@theprotagonist8000]

I own '96 CD reflection Opel Omega with 470 000 showing on clock. Never had engine failure with 2.5td. Common problem with this car is electronics bosh pump and rust. Mine is black metallic with darkened rear lights (looks sportish and badass) Great and reliable car overall, atleast from my experience.

[@DanielStancex]

+David Kis Probably because it's a BMW engine.

[@knight280700]

Yes it`is. And that same as opel omega it's producing in wagon version too. Which is not available on the U.S. market. Curiosity about the Opel Omega. This was to be produced with 5.7 liter V8 engine from Vette.

[@BluePancake1000]

This is nicer than most new cars today!

[@adamY2K]

Great variety Saabkyle04 .. Really respect you for uploading tours on cars like this!

[@IsderaCommendatore]

There were also a Omega with 3.6 liter twin-turbocharged engine with almost 380 bhp

[@thom-mark6443]

Owned a 2000 back in the day (black/tan with chromes and loaded). Great looks and great fit and finish but it still managed to be the worst car I ever owned. My mechanic used to joke with me that he was able to put a pool in his backyard from the money I spent fixing the thing. He finally convinced me to get rid of it.

[@MarkMck1994]

The Vauxhall Omega, as its known in the United Kingdom was always again, a respectful car. Infact it was that respectful, Police Force's used them for the Roads Policing (highway patrol) Pardon if I'm wrong, but as far as I am aware, the Roads Policing in Essex still use them today.

[@antonbowers4007]

love this car ive got the 2001 2.6 Vauxhall Omega

[@BigMacOsaurusRex]

Beautiful car. For me, the rear is more beautiful then the Opel Omega.

[@chrisgabrilska8336]

I remeber that car my neighbor from across the street had one that was white but it’s in the garage in my opinion that car is rare

[@EricScottMedia]

My Dad had one of these. His sales job had certain requirements, and one was that it had to be American so he bought a Catera because he knew it was really and Opel.

[@frankmueller77]

You did NOT misspronounce Rüsselsheim - big compliment

[@kappete1]

this car has new new new new new new new car smell.

[@DrCharlesMontague]

The Catera was a car with loads of potential, let down by terrible quality and lack of training for technicians. I once read an account by a GM employee who said an executive came into their office and told them to outright ignore any customer complaints or the like about the Catera, as GM would not be covering the horrendous amount of warranty repairs. Depreciation was something to behold too, these cars have a curious place on the market now as oddities though. As usual, great vid Kyle!

[@Theshowtruckchannel]

hey kyle. nice of you to put opel omega in the title as well. not many peo[ple in the states know that brand, because they are only sold in europe. it's great to find out that the car of my father in law is called a cadillac catera. also fun to know that your suzuki reno is a chevrolet lacetti in the netherlands, that is the car i drive. it would be great if you get a chace to review a suzuki reno. great videos, you are doing an awesome job here.

[@DanielBlaney]

in a time of almost all fwd cars this was rwd which is why it is cool.

[@lazyjames15]

Oh wow i only knew about the Opel a Vauxhall omega, because i live in Britain, i didn't realise there is so many variants. my dad used to own the Vauxhall Omega 2.5 V6, very rapid car when you want it to be, very smooth as well.

[@PantomimeHorseMusic]

Just checked their Web site, if I were in NC I'd buy this. It's a great deal. To me, these cars will always be Holden Commodores. I've always loved Australian cars.

[@vwestlife]

The Catera's radio has C-Quam AM Stereo reception -- something you don't find in most car radios anymore!

[@deadbeatproz]

Dude turn on the radio and bust out some Rick James. Lol

[@MrThestig8]

The styling was bland, yes, but it was the beginning of one of the biggest brand turnarounds of history. While the Catera was a failure, it paved the way really for the CTS, which, as we all know, saved Cadillac from it's death. You gotta thank the Catera really.

[@ShanesAutos]

ive a friend (I live in ireland) who has an opel omega that has tuned and modified for drifting.

[@UndergroundKingz187]

hey kyle great review as usual. and you pronounced the city name quite right. keep up the awesome work! greetings from germany

[@arbytaufik5944]

O My God... I Really like this car...

[@DolleHengst]

I wouldn't mind importing a Catera to Europe. Parts are available everywhere, and i think it looks even better than the Omega.

[@42luke93]

The car you never realized existed.

[@celsovera91]

I cant believe it took cadillac three attempts to make a successful luxury compact. First it was the cimarron, which was basically a rebadged cavalier, then the catera, which had reliability issues and now the cts, which is cadillac most popular car next to the escalade.

[@shacks29]

...Catera screams European market....funny the CTS and the STS screams Japanese market. lol

[@jooger69]

shax Actually if you compare it to the original Opel Omega it screams American market. It's unfortunate that the American touches seem much lower quality than the original European equipment.

[@shacks29]

jooger69 But the Catera looks so much better than the Omega even before the facelift!!! Way more class....I am pretty sure if the had introduced the catera on the German market instead of the omega the success were much bigger than the Omega!

[@snakecold6755]

+shax Ford: German Ford and US Ford one company. German Ford: Transit, Mondeo, Fiesta, Ka, Orion, Kuga, Ranger truck... etc US Ford: Mustang, F150, F150 Raptor, Expedition, Excursion, Fusion, Escape, Excursion, F250, Tunderbird...

[@shacks29]

ankhaa battulga What is your point???

[@jungyeonoppa7381]

+ankhaa battulga so you mean the Ranger in the Fiests is built in the Germany ?

[@benfrank212]

the 99 and the 01 were the best years for that car. I currently own a 99 sport and i love it. Have you had any issues with your cateras lately?

[@DrProfNiceGuy]

No no, the best Ones are the last from 2002/2003 ! But the 99er are good too.

[@evanwaller5207]

My mom had one of these when I was a kid and it broke down at least once a week... the Cadillac dealer knew us by first name lol

[@KniffoBerlin]

Don´t forget the Opel Sintra. It was identical to the Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Pontiac Trans Sport, Pontiac Montana, Buick GL8.

[@beachbum0014]

Wow, comparing this to Cadillac of today (especially the CTS-V), Cadillac has really come a long way.

[@smithraymond09029]

I remember these things as well as the ad campaign slogan, "The Caddy that ziggs". My supervisor at my first real job had one and bragged about it. Garbage car, garbage job, lol. I thought it was a Chevy Cavalier.

[@Andrew-tr5zg]

There was 2.5/3.0 then 2.6/3.2 v6 was introduced later on here in UK, was called vauxhall omega replacing the vauxhall/opel senator. Both cars very popular with traffic/highway police here.

[@PFieroGT87]

Dammit Kyle, I was supposed to be asleep over an hour ago. You duped me with your videos again.

[@mattheweburns]

Thanks for your videos, they're very informative and consistent. I have always wondered about these, thought it was a cavalier with different trim, bring a leash and drag this dog home!

[@Osmium192]

I encourage you to do as many 1990's vehicles as humanely possible. Also: motorcycles.

[@Slacksfifth]

I own 2 a 99 and a 01 catera love em, would buy more if i had more space

[@NWB1989]

These cars are somewhat of a cool and different alternative to any BMW or Merc lover or enthusiast, but reliability is horrendous. They're a classic now and maybe a perfect car to take on local car shows as well as a V8 6-speed or 5-speed manual swap.

[@emilianoperezdominguez8642]

INCREDIBLE BUT FORGOTTEN & RARE

[@halflifemasta]

according to kyle, every engine is smooth wth

[@4dshow]

People should Search the 1999 Holden Commodore VT,that's the very best use of this platform! The S has a L67 and SS has a LS1

[@gentle285]

I have learned that I have to defend and express my opinion because nobody else besides me will do that. If I even gave you a few funny minutes and laughs with it, I was happy to please you. Have a nice day!

[@yorkigayiafgani2984]

THE VT COMMODORE KILLS THIS

[@StuinthaHouse]

I believe you're thinking of the Cadillac Cimmaron which went out of production 10 years before the Catera was on sale.

[@JJS321]

Thing that used to make me laugh in the UK on the Vauxhall Omega is the timing kit (tensioner etc) would often go before the belt itself. The rocker cover gaskets are also notoriously bad on these.

[@kapkap2342]

1998 Cadillac Catera (Oprl Omega), 28,856 miles

[@SJSharkWannabe]

Sounds like you may be using a different microphone/speaker for your voiceover segments, or does it sound different b/c you're recording those parts in a different room?

[@dave11686]

Great vid as always Kyle!

[@videoshares]

Here in englandmits known as the vauxhall omega, they were available in 2.0 four cylinders and 2.5 and 3.0 v6's. Dont know where they were made though but gm vauxhall have a big factory in luton

[@roydied15]

i drove one of these at work a few weeks ago and it was a BLAST! i would totally buy one had they not had the woeful reliability issues that everyone claimed.

[@soundseeker63]

Looks just like the Vauxhall Omega I had many moons ago but with strange full width rear light clusters that give it a rather 80s look from the back!

[@stansmith4054]

Fun fact: CTS stands for Catera Touring Sedan!

[@slyguyaction]

Another great review Kyle. Thanks man!

[@SirNippletonMcSugarteets]

Such a rare car...I’ve only ever seen one in once in my life, and it was a junkyard car with graffiti on the doors. It was in the junk lot at the back of my high school...we had an auto mechanics shop.

[@mercurysable9921]

I've seen two of them, both were pre-facelifts

[@heatherwhelan1093]

I bought a 98 catera loved and still do only if I can get the transmission fixed its like mint yet motor still strong I would hate to scrap such a rare and beautiful car

[@jimmbobb]

Very clean, very proportionate styling. I never understood why the Catera and Lincoln LS didn't sell better than they did. I did think this car shared a platform with Malibu though. Perhaps the Catera inspired the Malibu's styling.

[@BLOEDVLEK]

I have the opel variant of this with the same engine, its a great car, 208HP, fully optioned, rear wheel drive :)

[@Alayye]

LOL...I had a 98 Northstar and it gave me a bunch of problems. It only had 78,000 miles on it, but it use to overheat all the time.

[@sekopiski]

The CTS that came after this also had an Opel engine. Basically the same unit as in the Catera, but 3.2 litre and some other minor improvements.

[@TheCarArchives96]

the 1997-2001 Cadillac Catera was assembled in Rüsselsheim, Germany

[@TechHeadHD2]

I like the Vauxhall omega :-) I reviewed one a week back and I would like to see one of these :-)

[@starxlr7863]

Great review.....but I still prefer the Deville, Seville and Eldorado for Cadillac's. These are really not bad cars. I remember when they came out and they still have a very good overall build quality. These are still much nicer and also more roomy than the newer CTS cars.

[@sebascc007]

The drive train itself sucks, but the car is in the opel omega platform which is a good platform for tuning. A good engine and transmission swap can make this a cool car.

[@Voodoo_One]

Nice :D Got a 1992 Lotus Omega with 377hp, that is based on the first Opel Omega A produced from 1988-1992 (?) Only "Opel" i let myself see in, the other ones don't have quality/prestige (these days)

[@H31MU7]

You have to admit, from this mistake was born the wonderful CTS! Cadillac eventually learns!

[@Foxchase92]

Nice vid, but one thing: You used the wrong Opel Omega on those pics. That's the Omega B FL, which was released in 1999. Since this is a 1998 Catera, it's based on the Omega B, which was released in 1994 and lasted until 1999 before its facelift. The greatest difference between the Omega B and Omega B FL is the front, where the grille is integrated in the hood on the B FL. And then you have the slightly refreshed tail lights.

[@russkiy1]

Your reviews are awesome and very informative. Great job! You should do a review of a 2007/2008 Acura TL Type-S!