RagTop69

Just saw a Cadillac XLR in traffic. WOW! What a great looking version of the C6 Corvette, not that the Corvette isn't great looking. I checked them out on line and I see that they were built in Bowling Green on the C6 platform but powered by a 320 hp Northstar V8. So they were more of a competitor for the Mercedes SL roadsters than for the Vette, but that Cadillac styling sure looks impressive. They seem to command similar prices to the C6s on the used car market. I'm betting they will start to increase in price based on relative rarity. I still prefer the C6/LS3 combination, but the XLR is a real eyeball attracter. Maybe it would get me fewer stink eyes when I park in the handicap spaces.

Gearhead Jim

Some friends of ours had a C6 convertible and an XLR with the folding top.

They could get both golf bags in the C6 but not even one in the XLR. And had some quality issues also.

It may be just right for what you want, but generally I consider the XLR as a good example of why GM went bankrupt.

USA1 427

Saw one in a brilliant blue once that knocked my socks off. But I'm happy with my Vette.

Ron'sGS

I never cared for the styling of the XLR. I also heard there was a lot of problems with the Nortstar engine.

J3TVETTE

It should have come with an LS3 to be honest.

sjw91

And the trunk lid design was cheap and stupid. If there's any water or debris on the lid, it all dumps into the trunk when folding the top. Not a bad looking car, though.

cmonkey713

GM has tried to build a two seat luxury car several times and have failed on so many issues. Rumor has it they will try again with the C-8 Corvette platform. I hope not!

sjw91

Remember the Allante? Beautiful looking car, but an absolute piece of junk...

The SL owns that tiny segment. I can't imagine Cadillac ever selling enough cars to make it profitable.

jrose7004

Had a neighbor that had a black one with chrome wheels! Looked pretty good!

OlyC6

I've always liked the "look" of the XLR and if they could resolve some of the finicky "technical" issues that occured during the lifetime of the model... and keep a similar look... I'd take a shot at ownership...

Here's a pix of a 2004...


Out of curiosity on used XLRs out there... did a quick check on TrueCar....

ByRiver

The XLR has the same looks as the Pontiac Aztec SUV.

OlyC6

Nahhh... NOTHING in the universe looks like an Aztec!! (And that's not a positive comment!)

owc6

I was under the impression that the XLR was a C5-based car.

It predates the C6 by one year.

Virtual Geezer

I agree.

07MontyRed

No, it was C6 based even though it beat us out by a year (not that were was a huge difference in the C5 and C6 architectures).

Later models used a 440hp supercharged engines that made it go well, but it still had some issues they never seemed to solve. It was an interesting looking car and I still enjoy seeing them. They only made ~15,000 of them over 4 or 5 years.

MH663

I loved the look but would NEVER own anything with a Northstar in it.

91RS

The XLR-V was the only one that came with the 4.4L Supercharged Northstar LC3, same engine that the STS-V used. The RWD versions of the Northstar are very reliable, they weren't plagued with any of the head gasket/bolt issues the FWD ones had. The biggest problem with the LH2 and LC3 N*'s is that they'll leak (which is pretty much the standard for any luxury car: BMW, VW, Audi, Mercedes, Land Rover, etc.). The engine is the least of the worries about XLR ownership.

triple black c4

The wife and I toured the corvette factory years ago and we were able to see the XLR being built also. We enjoyed the tour very much and hope to get back and do it again. When touring the corvette (C6's) were being built on the line with different people at each station and the XLR was assigned a crew that followed the build from start to finish. I don't remember the numbers but there were considerably more C6"s built per day than XLR's

ruxvette

Jeez, I thought this was an 8 year old thread...

91RS

They only made about 15k XLR's from 04-09.