2004 Cadillac XLR; Promises, promises: This time, Cadillac has lived up to them

[NFS4]

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=reviews&loc_code=index&content_code=03527936

 

[Nemesis77]

TRUE CONFESSION: WE WENT out to drive Cadillac?s new flagship, the XLR, fully prepared to come back and call it a complete and utter loser. We expected to meet a car that was too heavy, too slow and poorly built. We anticipated squeaks and rattles, a power convertible top that was a nightmare, a wobbly steering column and shaking rearview mirror.

Do they really expect that from a hi-end car that is supposed to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes? Damn, Cadillac really did suck in the past eh?

As to this car.... It's fugly

 

[Chadder007]

But, does it still warrant the price of the outrageous BASE PRICE or : $76,250....... H@ll NO!

 

[UNCjigga]

Too bad you have to pay ~$80k for a decent car from GM! I guess it means the new C6 'Vette is something to look forward to.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Nemesis77

TRUE CONFESSION: WE WENT out to drive Cadillac?s new flagship, the XLR, fully prepared to come back and call it a complete and utter loser. We expected to meet a car that was too heavy, too slow and poorly built. We anticipated squeaks and rattles, a power convertible top that was a nightmare, a wobbly steering column and shaking rearview mirror.

Do they really expect that from a hi-end car that is supposed to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes? Damn, Cadillac really did suck in the past eh?

As to this car.... It's fugly

i think they meant vis-a-vis audi, bmw, and mercedes

 

[J Heartless Slick]

Originally posted by: Nemesis77

TRUE CONFESSION: WE WENT out to drive Cadillac?s new flagship, the XLR, fully prepared to come back and call it a complete and utter loser. We expected to meet a car that was too heavy, too slow and poorly built. We anticipated squeaks and rattles, a power convertible top that was a nightmare, a wobbly steering column and shaking rearview mirror.

Do they really expect that from a hi-end car that is supposed to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes? Damn, Cadillac really did suck in the past eh?

As to this car.... It's fugly

"When we said as much to the Cadillac officials at the launch, the reply was quiet: ?Well, we can?t really blame you. We?ve only done everything to earn your skepticism over say, oh, the last 30 years.?"

Wow Detroit being honest about the quality of their cars!

 

[Nemesis77]

Originally posted by: J Heartless Slick

Originally posted by: Nemesis77

TRUE CONFESSION: WE WENT out to drive Cadillac?s new flagship, the XLR, fully prepared to come back and call it a complete and utter loser. We expected to meet a car that was too heavy, too slow and poorly built. We anticipated squeaks and rattles, a power convertible top that was a nightmare, a wobbly steering column and shaking rearview mirror.

Do they really expect that from a hi-end car that is supposed to compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes? Damn, Cadillac really did suck in the past eh?

As to this car.... It's fugly

"When we said as much to the Cadillac officials at the launch, the reply was quiet: ?Well, we can?t really blame you. We?ve only done everything to earn your skepticism over say, oh, the last 30 years.?"

Wow Detroit being honest about the quality of their cars!

Heh, I'm reminded when BBC's Top Gear did US Tour and they test-drove a Cadillac (don't remember which model). As they were driving it, they commented "This car's primary rival is the Mercedes E-class. And this Cadillac undercuts the Merc by xxxxx dollars. Only problem is that it's nowhere near as good as the Merc"

Ouch!

 

[Shantanu]

But, does it still warrant the price of the outrageous BASE PRICE or : $76,250....... H@ll NO!

LOL. That's because you don't have $76,000 to spend. Those who do, seem to have taken a liking to this car, as the first year's allotment of XLR's sold out a long time ago.

The price (which includes all options), undercuts the Mercedes SL500 by a good $15,000. For those in Beverly Hills and Palm Beach who have it all and have seen it all, this is the hot new car to have.

There are also stellar reviews of the XLR in this month's Automobile and Car and Driver magazines.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Shantanu

But, does it still warrant the price of the outrageous BASE PRICE or : $76,250....... H@ll NO!

LOL. That's because you don't have $76,000 to spend. Those who do, seem to have taken a liking to this car, as the first year's allotment of XLR's sold out a long time ago.

The price (which includes all options), undercuts the Mercedes SL500 by a good $15,000. For those in Beverly Hills and Palm Beach who have it all and have seen it all, this is the hot new car to have.

There are also stellar reviews of the XLR in this month's Automobile and Car and Driver magazines.

The XLR STILL got beat by the SL in Automobile's mag

And if people can spend $76,000 on a car, they are bitchin' about saving a measly $15,000 when they can get a Mercedes. Mercedes > Cadillac

 

[Dacalo]

but... but... it's a GM!

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Shantanu

But, does it still warrant the price of the outrageous BASE PRICE or : $76,250....... H@ll NO!

LOL. That's because you don't have $76,000 to spend. Those who do, seem to have taken a liking to this car, as the first year's allotment of XLR's sold out a long time ago.

The price (which includes all options), undercuts the Mercedes SL500 by a good $15,000. For those in Beverly Hills and Palm Beach who have it all and have seen it all, this is the hot new car to have.

There are also stellar reviews of the XLR in this month's Automobile and Car and Driver magazines.

The XLR STILL got beat by the SL in Automobile's mag

And if people can spend $76,000 on a car, they are bitchin' about saving a measly $15,000 when they can get a Mercedes. Mercedes > Cadillac

I think that's true but the segment of buyers for the XLR seems to be a tad different and more rewarding the brand loyalists. I'd still get an SL or Z8 no contest.

I just wonder if the car is really that much of an improvement over a fully-loaded 50th Anny Vette.

 

[NFS4]

I just wonder if the car is really that much of an improvement over a fully-loaded ZO6 50th Anny Vette.

Quality wise inside and out: 10x better
Performance wise: helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll no

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: Shantanu

But, does it still warrant the price of the outrageous BASE PRICE or : $76,250....... H@ll NO!

LOL. That's because you don't have $76,000 to spend. Those who do, seem to have taken a liking to this car, as the first year's allotment of XLR's sold out a long time ago.

The price (which includes all options), undercuts the Mercedes SL500 by a good $15,000. For those in Beverly Hills and Palm Beach who have it all and have seen it all, this is the hot new car to have.

There are also stellar reviews of the XLR in this month's Automobile and Car and Driver magazines.

Actually, yes I do. But I would not get this car. I would get a European car for that much that is actually worth it compared to anything from Detroit.

 

[Toasthead]

Who buys caddy's nowadays...these dont look like they would appeal to 70 year olds ( the main caddy purchaser for the last 300 years)

 

[NFS4]

who do, seem to have taken a liking to this car, as the first year's allotment of XLR's sold out a long time ago.

You make that seem like some incredible feat. Mercedes sells around 15,000 SL's a year.

 

[Shantanu]

The XLR STILL got beat by the SL in Automobile's mag

Beat is such a strong word. I'd say "edged out" is more like it. The comparision was price-blind. Even the Automobile editor's were doubtful as to whether the SL500 was really worth the extra $15K. Automobile said the XLR had a better interior, cleaner exterior styling, and superior handling to the SL500.

Originally posted by: NFS4

who do, seem to have taken a liking to this car, as the first year's allotment of XLR's sold out a long time ago.

You make that seem like some incredible feat. Mercedes sells around 15,000 SL's a year.

Given that the car isn't even out yet, I'd say it is. We'll see how the SL is selling next year when there's added competition in the segment. Last month the Cadillac CTS outsold the entire Mercedes C-class line. Not bad, considering the CTS only has one variant whereas the C-class has around 7. Once the Bowling Green plant is running at capacity in a year or two, I wouldn't be surprised if the XLR did the same to the SL.

The special Nieman Marcus edition of the XLR, which was $85,000, sold out all 100 units within 14 minutes.

 

[NFS4]

The special Nieman Marcus edition of the XLR, which was $85,000, sold out all 100 units within 14 minutes.

And your point is??? Ford's super duper cavier laced special edition of the Thunderbird sold for like $50,000 and sold out in 15 mins. Now look at it.

 

[ElFenix]

damnit why do they pair high end cars with sh!tty bose audio?!!!?!!!!!??

 

[notfred]

eucalyptus wood

Since when do people actually build stuff out of eucalyptus?

 

[EvilYoda]

I actually really like how this car looks...and I hurt my neck pulling a double-take when I saw one in person last week. Gotta love living around the Big 3's HQs...just saw Caddy's new SUV on the ride home from Ann Arbor 30 minutes ago.

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: Shantanu
Automobile said the XLR had [...] cleaner exterior styling

I think the XLR is a pretty sweet car. It's fairly quick, competitively priced even though it's very expensive, incorporates a number of interesting technological enhancements, plus it has the requisite folding hardtop. But even though it looks pretty good (way better than any other Cadillac), IMO it doesn't compare to the SL. The SL is one of the most beautiful cars around.

XLR - nice, angular styling that works much better than the CTS.

SL 500 - drop-dead gorgeous.

 

[CraigRT]

Doesn't look too bad.. reminds me of a CLK or something almost esp. from the back corner shot.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
damnit why do they pair high end cars with sh!tty bose audio?!!!?!!!!!??

Been in a couple of cars with Bose audio and to me it sounds pretty nice, gotta remember companies most likely get volume discounts when dealing with Bose whereas the discounts might not be nearly as good with other brands.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Dacalo
but... but... it's a GM!

LOL, that's what they said about Toyotas 30 years ago.

 

[Heifetz]

Sure they may have the performance worked out, but they need to put some engineers to redesign the way the car looks. It's hidious.


Heifetz