I Won a RARE 1 Owner 43k Mile Cadillac Catera at IAA / Opel Omega

[@Mc.Classic.Cars2]

I love how Randy put an old classic commercial of the Cadillac Catera in the video. Love it!

[@rjft7003]

A relatively small car for US standards and a large car for European ones. Those Opel/Vauxhall Omega were tough cars, especially the 2.5 Diesel with BMW engine. Very popular as Taxis in Germany and as patrol car in the UK.

[@B0xlife1]

Sadly the US version only has the 3.0 available

[@BAZvonRichthofen]

Known as the Vauxhall Omega in the UK often used as a motorway cop car

[@MRPAD744]

I thought it was the vauxhall Carlton in the uk .

[@JamzieUK]

@@MRPAD744that’s a different model

[@ASH.......................1976]

@@BAZvonRichthofen yeh 👍

[@ASH.......................1976]

@@MRPAD744 that was earlier,the omega was the name of the later cars 👍

[@trbstang]

A bunch of old gems! Yes, it takes us back. Thanks Randy!

[@markspence3295]

I had an omega, we called it the Vauxhall Omega in the uk. Great car, reliable and very comfortable indeed. The Australians raced them in their touring car championships. Don’t be too harsh about them.

[@manoman0]

It was, as Vauxhall or Opel, one of GM's great success stories because it was better than most VW at that time and cheaper as a Mercedes but offering very much the same comfort.

[@vauxhallvin]

I had a 2.6 liter, V6 auto. Lovely car. Self levelling suspension gas rear shocks, elite spec with a folding rear screen limo style. A car I wished I never sold. I'm from Scotland UK.

[@arniepaks]

I have a 2000 opel omega with a 2.6 liter v6 engine, it has about 130k on the clock and still runs and drives like a top. A big plus is that its a manual transmission one. Glad to see a rare car like this on your channel Randy, keep up the hard work

[@wotchyadoingalan]

The low voltage is probably a weak voltage regulator on the alternator. It's a common Bosch part and is readily available and takes around an hour to swap out.

[@herofrombelow]

I had a 98 Catera back in, I think, 07 or 08. Only had it for maybe 2 years and then a head gasket went bad, got it fixed and really wanted to keep it but it started to really nickel and dime us. Still think it was probably the most comfortable car I've owned, really smooth and quiet, great for long trips and I honestly think it was a good looking car that managed to be somewhat fun to drive as well. You definitely stole it for that price!

[@Anthonygaming02]

Old school cars make me happy too ❤❤❤ keep buying Old school cars I'll keep watching the videos 👍👍👍

[@captaininsano2777]

I keep telling him the same thing. They get the most views to from what he says.

[@StewartJ2022]

Vauxhall Omega, a UK motorway muncher, police car, motorway police cruiser, and a favoured car of the sales executives after the Ford Granada. Same automatic gear shifter as used across the range of Vauxhall's. It's predecessor, the Vauxhall Senator was an awesome " top of the range " beast of a car but the omega was more refined. Replaced by the Insignia which is an all round family favourite with its huge boot, they even made a 4x4 car version.

[@MGalaxy]

Keep up with older cars! Absolutely great idea! :) 90s/2000 era is golden for automotive.

[@Lucaat]

When it's 1999 and you are blasting down the Autobahn at 206km/h in your tuned up rice box and suddenly a black Opel Omega walks past you on the side, pulls in front of you, you get nervous because there is no hat or toilet roll in the back - and sure enough - the LED Panel pops up POLIZEI! FOLGEN! FOLLOW!

[@OOspazOO]

I wonder why we dont pull people over from the front here in the US? lol honest question. Also, I thought there was no speed limit on the autobahn or is that a meme?

[@hendrikwagner5957]

@@OOspazOO of course we got speed limits on the Autobahn, about 70% are unrestricted. But for the most part, you can’t use it due to traffic, or road works, or traffic jams…..

[@MalaiseEra]

That’s my dream garage right there. All the 80-90s obscure cars right there! Thank you for buying these!

[@IKhanNot]

Randy on a lot of GMs there's a ground wire going to either the fuse box or part of the chassis of the car that either gets loose or corroded. That can lead to a low voltage reading on the gauge. If you test the alternator with a meter and it's charging well then it is almost always that ground wire.

[@darrenlub]

Sell it quick before something breaks. U wont find parts for it. Had one, loved it.

[@Samza92]

If it has common opel omega parts, theres plenty here in finland

[@rustyshackleford1687]

Really glad to see that you're focusing on making the content that you really want. That's got to make working on this channel that much more fun. I love seeing this era of cars. I was born in 80s so I remember when these were what was driving around on the road. We're nearing the end of these cars being easily found in running condition so these videos cataloging them will help preserve the memory of them for many years to come.

[@2003cobramustang]

I do remember these. Great example of a caddy. Can tell the person who had it really cared for it.

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

In the UK the 3.0 MV6 was about the best you could get. Theres a guy in Scotland with a channel called "Once Driven Forever Smitten" and he covers everything Vauxhall, Opel, Cadillac, and SAAB, Which of course were all GM Cars. Its actually a really good channel!!!

[@AVC-Works]

Love the Catera! I never heard Omega's were that bad here in Europe. Seem to me the alternator cage is exactly saying what your Volt meter is saying.

[@jacksonkalisch2943]

I love this new older direction of this channel

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

The Fuel door locks and unlocks with the remote locking Randy!!!

[@gabriel_lim82]

A fully charged battery is around 12.6v. Some alternator just runs a little more effectively. It charges up when required and frees the engine from extra load

[@Bread-is-L1F3]

Love the new direction with the older 90's cars...

[@ddjthemultimusicalrapper]

Been watching your channel since the 2008 Hyundai Tiburon back in 2020, because I bought a salvage title Tiburon and fell in love with it and wanted to know about bleeding he clutch and slave cylinder, now I watch almost all of your videos and love when we get to see new cars that you have bought, Thank you for the amazing content Randy, can't wait for the next car review/test drive video

[@jeffshrewsbury5223]

TastyClassicsUK, another KZbinr, did one of these a couple of months ago. Took me a while to warm up to 'Opel Omeeega' , not our usual 'mega' pronunciation. Fun looking auto!

[@ares9304]

That Opel V6 is one of the best engines ever built.

[@adrianmugavin2840]

Same body as Australian Holden Commodore. VT/VX model. We had 3.8 V6, 5.0 V8 or 5.7 V8. We had Sedan, Wagon or Ute options.

[@GreenHawkDrive]

The Caddy that Zigs!

[@ruckusrodkustom8140]

Nice score! I love seeing these cars get saved!

[@Rastapirate1]

I almost bought an 82 EXP and those sunroofs are removable once its open you squeeze the handle you open it with and lift it all the way up and out. And those Cateras are awesome and the platform was supposed to be for a LT1 V8 but they never put it in it but some people have swapped them and then they are a beast. I love Cateras.

[@garyruark9506]

My parents had a 98 Catera. Mom's car. She loved it. After 5 years they sold it to a friend and she drove it for at least 10 years. Trouble free car.

[@lirr408]

You got the Saab, I am glad. I remember when the EXP first came out and the Mercury LN7. Best of luck with the fleet.

[@billinsa9752]

Gotta say, I enjoy watching you buy, review, fix up and send down the road these old forgotten cars.

[@lancecooper4646]

29:32...yeah id like to see the charge rate with the revs held up above idle cos that's where you're doing your actual driving👍

[@Lane-jq3ed]

I really like where your going👍 I remember when this Caddy came out, and only seen a rich retired guy driving one😅

[@gidget4971]

I love seeing the older cars too. They are stronger vehicles and just need regular maintenance.

[@nopadelik9286]

Nice find .. over here in Germany you won't get one in such a mint condition with thia few miles on it for that money. I just checked online, you can get one with 200k miles on it for this money, maybe even not running / driving. Lowest mileage i found right now was 65k, for sale for 6000,- $

[@normiels3]

Digging all the underappreciated oldies, even if some of them weren’t the greatest of their time.

[@chrasm8]

Every day is like Christmas for this guy. Love it.

[@kcstein5956]

The 3300 and th125 combo found in the century/skylark is the most reliable combo ever made IMO 💯

[@stevenhinds4907]

Randy I had a 1999 Catera The taillights went across the rear end A good look Loved that cat The gas door is an issue in on this car Beware parts are very expensive When washed and waxed it looks beautiful Will keep my eyes on this one Thanks Randy!

[@georgescarvids]

Great Video!! Tying in the OG TV AD for this one is a nice touch that, I hope you continue. I almost forgot about "The Caddy That Zigs" and Completely Forgot about the Ford EXP. There are deals to be had out there. I just bought a 13 Grand Caravan SXT with 188K miles myself that I should be less than 1500 with Taxes and Everything.

[@dcpoolsvc]

Loving the current fleet. These are the cars I’ve been around and look forward to seeing them all!

[@NoahClay6]

I do remember the Catera and have seen a couple out there. This one looks really well taken care so probably a great deal. I love that interior and definitely the alternator causing low voltage. Love these 80s and 90s stuff Randy keep them coming! Great video as always!👍

[@ylokartul]

I still have an Omega. Mine is manual. Very comfy car, i've really enjoyed it over the last 2 years. great video!

[@MapOfEurasia]

Fun facts: In Europe, Opel managed to stuff under the hood 3 unusual engines: - A detuned M51D25 BMW turbodiesel (indirect injection) 6 cyl. in the Omega 2.5 TDS - A detuned M57D25 BMW turbodiesel (common rail) 6 cyl. in the Omega 2.5 DTI - A V8 LS1 from the Corvette C5, that was almost ready to launch but they had allegedly flex plate issues and they scrapped the entire project because they didn't have a fitting transmission for the car at the time (unless doing extensive mods to the firewall/chassis or a new transmission housing for the application). *EDITED, sorry I was mislead by urban legends on that beast, the Omega V8 was never sold*

[@Krzysztof_88]

The V8 was a prototype but these were never sold to the public

[@jaromor8808]

wrong about the V8, never sold

[@LaitinenVeeti]

You are almost right but it had never V8 option. It was only concept and few prototypes made but it never made to public production sadly. If it have made to production it would been very exclusive and nice. In Europe Omega had very many engine options. Base motor was 2.0 8V (later 16Valve) NA bensin, option motors were 2.2 16V NA (most commonly find) 140hv bensin, 2.0dti (later 2.2dti) Opel first gen commonrail diesels (most common diesel on B series), 2.5 V6 NA, 2,6 V6 NA, 3.0 V6 NA, 3.2 V6 NA Bensin (Opel/GM own motors) and BMW 2.5 liter R6 diesel (Indirect injection (also known as PRE-Chamber diesel) and 2 last model years was Common rail versions). And also we had Omega Wagon version also, USA got only sedans.

[@robertbeattie9000]

Correct about 2.5 turbo diesel BMW engine is best old time I use veg oil in tank no problem lol.

[@LaitinenVeeti]

@@robertbeattie9000 Older Indirect pre-chamber type 2.5dti that is possible but newer common rail does not work on veg oil.

[@glefifty]

I absolutely LOVE this fleet.

[@dextrogen11]

Great cars, especially the Opel Omega. I still drive one of these (since 2006), with the 2.5 DTI-Turbodiesel. No trouble. Very reliable.

[@omarouriaghli4424]

Had one in Spain was the opel tho very advanced for its time

[@secondchairmm]

I remember when these came out and that commercial always stuck in my head. You found one in amazing shape! Nice find!

[@pedroadelino100]

If i was Nick i would grab this car to be my first car.Its in excelent condition. Randy, what a found !

[@Vetteman372]

Minimum 13.8 volts to 14.4 max for your Alt. anything below you need a new alternator

[@ChristianRThomas]

That's what I thought too, so I don't know what the person saying 12.7V was fully charged had in mind. In my experience 12.7V is where batteries that are starting to fail tend to stop. You'll have a bit of time left before you replace it, but the battery is telling you that you've been given due warning. From the alternator perspective it's probably a voltage at which the discharge curve is flatter, having already blown off the surface charge and the top end of what I imagine is theoretically an exponential curve, so it equally could well be telling you that your alternator isn't charging and needs its diodes replaced. This is a real pig in modern cars (not sure if 1999 counts as modern) as all sorts of electrical "faults" can pop up from nowhere with an undervoltage supply. I think it's pathetic that manufacturers still haven't accounted for this after at least 40 years of using microprocessors. A weak battery or alternator can turn a dashboard into a Christmas tree of warnings, none of which have any basis in reality and it's about time we started telling them that's unacceptable.

[@stevecarder3581]

I love your "back to the 80' 90's and '00" theme. Ah, the memories. I'm with you those cars were the best! I drive a 1997 Lexus LS400 and wouldn't trade it for ANY new car.

[@OzOneAu129]

Fun fact. They had this vehicle redesigned in Australia as the VT Holden Commodore. (they did use similar components)

[@hakanhellgren]

Hi Randy, i used to have a Opel Omega GL, bought it new and drove it 80000 km i two years it was 2,0 liter engine and 5 speed manual gearbox, very confy and quiet.

[@robertclubs9908]

Awesome show Randy. Thanks

[@craigwi1412]

I had one just like this one , never had a problem other than water pump , battery and tires. Your voltage is showing 13.5 or so that is fine as long as it is not in the red.

[@jasong3652]

I always liked the Catera even though it had tons of issues! Kinda nostalgic for me, back in 2000 my girlfriend at the time’s dad had a first gen Catera. I always thought it was a nice car and enjoyed the trips in it but it seemed like it was in the shop ever other week and it was only a couple years old and only had about 30k miles on it. One thing I remember was that the voltage gauge was alway pegged out on the high end.

[@bobbyjohnson6355]

I had one of these back in the day, dealership was offering super low 1 year leases. Served me well for the year I had it, I think the center rear view mirror adjusted with the memory seats

[@motorwolfe]

now that's a find - those Omegas are underrated cars, I drove one just like this for 5 years. Cadillac hated this car and GM forcing them to sell it, so you can only imagine what their service was like. the first 2 years ('97-'98) they had defective timing belt tensioners that would grenade the engine (interference plus bore-scoring, an engine-out repair). by the time they got a handle on it for '99, the reputation was already seriously damaged and sales kept slipping even after the '00 facelift & addition of the sport model. the car also has problems with the oil cooler sitting in the V of the motor which, when the seals start to go, will either a) drip oil down into the chamber causing a big blue puff of smoke on cold startup, or b) cross-contaminate the oil/coolant simulating a bad head gasket. the CKP sensor tends to fry because of being routed waaaaay to close to the exhaust header, and let me tell you it's a real son of a biscuit to change and re-insulate. but they do drive rather nicely with excellent ergonomics, good steering feel, solid brakes, and competent ride/handling balance. other items of note: - the foglights wrap around the side of the bumper incorporating a second set of lights which illuminate to the side when you put on your turn signal. literally and figuratively brilliant. - the glovebox door is a thick, hefty, vinyl-wrapped foam sandwich around a solid aluminum core plate supported by a tiny gas-charged strut the size of a pen. which is cool. the glovebox LOCK however is a plasticized piece of crap that will spontaneously explode, spraying impossibly tiny parts and springs throughout the cabin which you will never find. - they sure didn't cheap out on engineering the trunk hinges with that trick Lexus-quality setup. - headlights are adjusted using an allen key from the FRONT, NOT the back, or... . repair forums used to be littered with Catera owners whining about their broken headlight assemblies. - if you disable the stability/traction control, it will happily neutral-steer through wet onramps. - in Europe they weighed about 300lbs (or approximately 1.07 motorwolves) less with a more aggressive tune and a manual, and served as police cars.

[@locotrucker46]

I'm as excited as you are for all the 80s and 90s cars that you are bringing to the channel.

[@chynacash3138]

Those Cadillac Catera's had amber LED rear turn signals which was a really advanced feature back in 2000 for any car, they also could be optioned with HID headlights - The exterior lighting is what I remember most about these "facelifted" Catera's.

[@krevo6c]

That's one of the cars i allways wanted to see on the channel. Here in Germany its known as the last great sedan Opel has ever made. They also came as a Caravan and with a BMW 6 Cylinder Diesel Engine from the E38 5 Series.

[@Krzysztof_88]

E38 is 7 series and that diesel was offered in almost every BMW at the time

[@FrancescoDoria114]

In my opinion the Opel Insignia was also a great car. Insignia B sold less than the A and the VW Passat, but personally I have always found it to be a better line than the Passat. I can't comment on road behavior (considered the same as the competition) and engines, as I haven't tried them.

[@krevo6c]

@@FrancescoDoria114 From the outside a Insignia A looks like a appealing car, but the chassis and drivetrains are terrible. Maintenance cost is super high and the durability is also questionable. Insignia B is a lot better from what i know.

[@FrancescoDoria114]

@@krevo6c Strange. Here in Italy the trade magazines have never spoken badly about the chassis. In terms of gearboxes, yes, Opels have never shone. In terms of maintenance, they should be like a Passat.

[@r.e.krealestate23]

In 96 wow I was 19 years old and fresh out of high school this car is clean and was dope When it came out a great buy class of 95' let's go

[@jeffcicale]

PLEASE keep these old school cars comin', same taste here and no we are not weird haha!

[@rickywilliams7961]

Randy. Excellent idea to show the actual commercial on Catera. Maybe, you need to show others commercials on your purchase cars like the Dynasty, Saab etc. Nice job.

[@FrancescoDoria114]

The Saab 9-3 is beautiful. This car shared the platform with the Opel Vectra C, including the diesel engines: I believe also the petrol ones. I don't know the Catera, but the Opel Omega B was quite popular in the 90s and early 2000s, because it was still a fairly long car for the time, at least here in Italy. It has now become quite rare, like the beautiful Opel Calibra.

[@willwilliams6112]

I had lots of those Chrysler dynasty and new Yorkers and the biggest thing why they wouldn't run was timing belts and they are so easy to change its unbelievable why someone walks away from the old car for that love the content Randy your my favorite u tuber

[@kamseihra]

In Europe that’s a big car! Known as Vauxhall Omega in the UK and Opel Omega in Europe

[@Cooperdonny325]

I love seeing older quirky cars like this Randy! Please keep them up 😄

[@finleymchale2010]

I love the Opel/Vauxhall Omega Such a beloved piece of metal

[@robertf4540]

I have always liked those cars too. Maybe they weren't the greatest and most reliable, but I think they are nice looking. That one is really clean.

[@chrish4317]

I love how you are putting the commercials

[@robertarnold8146]

Out of all those cars you showed, I want the Dynasty! Awesome collection. Looking forward to videos of some of these and hopefully that Dynasty

[@soulraver822]

In the Europe it's known as Opel Omega. For now it's became rare car in even Europe where we had a lot of these pearls. People still lookin for those in good condition, it's become a retro nice car.

[@damonroger3184]

You should fix up/clean up the HHR abd turn it into like a shop/transport vehicle. Something you use to pick up parts and move stuff around. It's a cool little car and I doubt anyone's gonna want to buy it with 500k miles on the odometer.

[@TeenMechanic]

You know… I bet you could sell that Catera on Cars&Bids! Haha. Doug Demuro’s auction. It’s weird, AND CRAZY low mileage. When you’re done with it that is.

[@CorneliusLive]

That car has a sports move in it. It makes the transmission shift different. When you post a button down, it's like a superstift.

[@alpaljl]

Loved the fleet update at the beginning. Been a few weeks since I tuned into the channel. Also, this video made me realize I like Cateras now... Oh boy.

[@ruckusrodkustom8140]

Nice score! I love seeing these cars get saved! Great car for Nick

[@ThriftMachine]

Those are fantastic cars, it can actually handle unlike most Cadillac from then

[@grahamalldred7769]

Enjoyed the video Randy. Many thanks 😊

[@locotrucker46]

I love 80s cars. 90s cars not quite as much but I like some of them too.

[@charliebruckman8661]

When this came out i wanted one so bad but my father in law told me to hold off. Never buy the first year. But God i love those. My 7 month old grandson and i are watching you now. You're more popular to him than Ms. Rachelle.

[@benwah6993]

I love the variety of cars that you are buying! Many that I would love to have. Congratulations on your success Randy!

[@deanpeterson5387]

I had a 98 catera one of the best running cars ive owned had it for 10 years

[@jacobtonge5386]

The Catera was a great find Randy. Haven't seen one in many years. Be well

[@thomasharris5151]

Sell the CADDY ASAP! Please!!!! I loved the car idea but it fell short! It was Fool’s Gold….! ☠️Horrible engine design, electrical gremlins, etc! BUT….ill take it for $1999😎👌🏾💎 I like it too

[@joeromani9108]

It'd be interesting to compare with the Lexus IS300

[@lancecooper4646]

@@joeromani9108 now Joe...we all luv the GM product...but compared to Toyota/Lexus...they're absolute trash...the IS300 is a ball tearing legendary sports sedan....

[@AA-ti3nr]

⁠​⁠@@lancecooper4646GM or not, Omega was never a luxury car or sports sedan and sticking a Cadillac badge didn't change that. It simply didn't belong in that market segment. Just another badge engineering disaster.

[@matthewc3120]

That Skylark design is 🤢 Hated that pointed front end design but people bought them. I've owned HHRs before and lots of people hate them. To each their own. 😊

[@joeromani9108]

@@matthewc3120 I considered Skylark to be for people that didn't like the Century.

[@LOUISIANAMAN1984]

I love all the cars you have i cant wait for the dodge dynasty

[@KNIGHTOFELEMIA-i7i]

I remember the Catera being junk my grandfather had one. Hey if you find it cool and excites you good right now you're like a kid during Xmas time which is good.

[@jeremyaustin9103]

A long long time ago a colleague has one of those in plain white....2.0 manual. The two of us used to deliberately wear white shirts when visiting customers. It was the fastest car in the overtaking lane .... despite not being that quick

[@ratfink2570ify]

The 4.9 was used in Cadillacs until 1996, have had a few 94 devilles. The northstar was used in the concors until 96 when it became standard.

[@worldhello1234]

An Opel Omega with a Cadillac badge in great condition. ☺

[@Papaskunks420]

My opinion I am very happy that he's got these 80 90s car brings back some very good memories and yes and some bad but love it

[@MoonFox_5989]

I will also say I believe that body style was also sold here in the Upside Down as a VT / VY Holden Commodore, but featured the venerable 3800

[@bbocir477]

That catera has a heated windshield! Those worked awesome in frost conditions.

[@HSK-Driver]

I had the Opel Omega B MV6 Station Wagon here in Germany, it is the same car like yours. But in the Interieur it is a little bit other than the Cadillac. The Cadillac looks in the exterior much better than the Omega, i like this car.

[@bk_goatkim679]

These 80’s and 90’s car content will be fun. Before my time, but feel like I’m time traveling! Keep it up randy we love the grind!

[@branhicks]

That voltage is definitely a problem. You can probably make it honk with the fob through the settings in the stereo. You'll have to check the manual

[@michaelparker2225]

Just saw catera for 7 thousand dollars with 46,000 miles yes you got a deal!