Need Advice Buying 2001 Catera Sport

[guardian44]

Am shopping a "2001" Catera Sport priced at $7700. Car has under 40K miles however Carfax is worrisome, at least to me. No accidents, but it was first on lease for two years and then bounced around a LOT, without a long term fixed owner. The car has been auctioned six separate times! Through it all, car has held its appearance for the most part. Both interior and exterior are in good shape with only minor exceptions. Car has had some dealer prep: some leaks fixed, new pads, cleanup no doubt. Tires are decent, not new. It has desirable bells and whistles: Bose, sunroof, and the rest. Car has spent its life in the rust belt, the NE. So it has seen only salty winters.

Another confusing issue for me: the car carries a build date of 05/00. Can that really be a 2001 Catera? Were the 2001 cars built that early??

I badly need input: How does this price sound to the group? Should I continue to search or grab this car? Is it really a 2001?

Thanks

[THE_MUT]

My Ex Was Halfway Runover By A Catera. I Ran Out Of Gas.

[MagicRat]

The ownership trail may indicate it was a lease repossetion, due to non payment by the original owner. 2 year leases are very rare, usually its 3-5 years.
I do not think the build date is anything to worry about either.

I would be concerned about the condition of the vehicle, though.
The mileage is below average........is it possible the car was wrecked/written off and rebuilt? I know carfax normally would report such things, but not always......

IMO get a thorough mechanical inspection by an independent mechanic. Pay him for an hour or 2 of his time and have him look at all the usual stuff as well as signs of major damage and body work.

Also look here for some owner written reviews. Cateras seem to have a couple of problem areas that seem to pop up regularly.

www.carsurvey.org

[xtreme barton]

i agree with catera's and problems.

like mentioned above just ahev a mechanic do some looking into it..

have a compression test done and have him take a look at the chassis structure..

[xtreme barton]

also check out the value of it at

www.kbb.com