Does anybody know whether the 2001 Cadillac Catera needs premium, or is it just recommended?Found one with 37k miles and was thinking about looking at it. What is a good price to pay for one of these?

STAY AWAY from it at all costs. They are by far the most unreliable car I have ever seen. They are german also, making parts very expensive. They are notorious for eating head gaskets, water pumps, electrical problems, etc. Just too much to list. I strongly advise you to stay away from it. My friend had one and he hated it with a passion.

Here we go, I got some parts costs for ya.

From Rockauto

Radiator - $528
Water pump - $50
O2 sensors 3 or 4 needed - $60 a piece
Throttle position sensor - $89
Fuel injectors - $187 a piece
Fuel pump - $333
Alternator $284

This is just an example of some common parts.

You'll need to know the engine compression ratio before knowing if it needs 91+ gas.

As for the price of parts, those are a bargain compared to what I have paid for parts, I will agree that the Catera is not a very reliable car.

If it provides any solace, the final 2001 year of the Catera was the most reliable. This is relatively speaking, however

never mind I will stay away. Looking for something more reliable.

cateras are a rebadged opel right?

Yes, rebadged Opel Omega. Even the Germans were embarassed of the build quality of the Omega/Catera.

A) I wouldn't go by Rockauto'* prices for parts

B) For a car with the engine it has etc, those aren't bad. No they're not bargain priced used S1 parts, but that'* not always a bad thing...

Just a fyi cateras EAT tires for dinner, i see them all the time in our shop for inner tire wear because of the rear camber is set so far for handling on them. tires DO NOT last on them.

and no an alignment wont fix because theres no adjustment in it at all.