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Cadillac XLR and XLR-V

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac XLR-V, Cadillac XLR, Coupe, Convertible

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#126 of 199 Re: XLR V [213xlrv] by laurasdada Apr 21, 2006 (9:38 am)
Replying to: 213xlrv (Apr 20, 2006 8:03 pm) Nice update on the XLR-v. I'd be pleased w/ 25+mpg as you describe. Premium here in Boston (home of the future World Champion Red Sox) has well crested $3/gallon. My TL is consistently returning 23 mpg in mixed driving that averages around 30mph. I'd guess at an avg. of 82 I'd get ~30mpg.   Accepting the fact that interior beauty/quality is in the eye of the beholder, I thought I'd just paraphrase what I found to be a humorous quote from Bob Lutz. I believe it was printed in Autoweek some time back and Lutz was responding to the "cheap" interior materials used in the CTS. To paraphrase, "The materials we used are actually of high quality and expensive. We just made them look cheap..." Not sure if it was tongue-in-cheek or an admission of guilt!   Good to see this thread active. I appreciate the XLR updates. And enjoy the Phil/Merc banter... Replies to this message: 213xlrv (Apr 22, 2006 11:34 am)
#127 of 199 Re: XLR V [laurasdada] by 213xlrv Apr 22, 2006 (11:34 am)
Replying to: laurasdada (Apr 21, 2006 9:38 am) Let's talk about interior materials for a moment, since the XLR/XLR-v seem to take flak on this. There was a time when GM interior plastics were cheap and flimsy. At Chrysler they still are. Ford was the first domestic manufacturer to seriously address this problem. But no more. I think Lutz' comment was disarming and acknowledgment that in the CTS GM hadn't come quite far enough in perception of quality. The materials are fine and reflect a specific techie aesthetic. However, they don't conform to a tactile and visual aesthetic championed by the Euro makers and mimicked by the Japanese, and to some extent by Ford. However, unlike many European and Japanese car interiors, I expect the CTS-v and XLR-v interiors to be quite durable.   As one who has traveled extensively for business, I've always been amused by the premium perception of Mercedes and BMW brand status here in the US. Here, there are no cloth-seats in a Mercedes. But land in an airport in Germany or Belgium, for instance, and slip into a clattering Mercedes E or BMW 5 scummy rattlebox with cloth seats and a stick, and you see how little they differ from "ordinary" cars. You never look at a Mercedes as a status brand again, when you come back home. I've seen these cars much worse for wear than a 250,000 mile Crown Vic in New York. The interior plastics to me have appeared to wear poorly, not matching the durability of many high-mileage American interiors of late.   Then of course, here in L.A. there are a gazillion used German cars with years and miles piled up on them, up and down Lincoln Boulevard. Take a look in some of those cars and you'll be disabused of any notion that BMW, Mercedes, Audi interiors are something special beyond the first 2 years of their life.   As Ford and GM pull back from fleet sales to rental car companies, Toyota is now diluting their brand with godawful strippers at the airports. But when you do get a Chevy or a Cadillac, its interior is invariably less worn than a Toyota's. It's shocking sometimes how quickly a Toyota interior loses its luster from rental abuse, when the odo reads 3,000 miles.   Are German car interiors "better"? Well, they have developed a specific tactile character for touch satisfaction and many people have embraced that soft-touch, sanded finish as a reference for luxury. However, it has become light-soaking and boring, and not particularly durable based on what I see when time and miles accumulate.   But in a market where many US buyers of luxury cars like the XLR-v and SL lease for short terms or buy them outright for brief inclusion in the family fleet, the initial owner only has perhaps a 2 year perspective on the interior or the rest of the car. The Cadillac techie interior aesthetic is a departure from the superficial coddled norm established by the Euro makers. That introduces friction for market acceptance at the same time it lubricates acceptance by people looking for a fresh alternative. Based on the materials I see in the CTS-v, I think that interior will show very little wear in 4 years, with the possible exception of the suede inserts on the seat upholstery, and even that might surprise me. For a real step up, you'd bypass the poseur Germans and go straight to Maserati, if interiors are foremost of your car criteria.   Phil
#128 of 199 Re: [skeezix] by merc1 May 08, 2006 (1:53 am)
Replying to: skeezix (Apr 19, 2006 11:16 am) Are you looking at the new M5 or the old one? Big difference. The new M5 will scorch a CTS-V, period.   M
#130 of 199 Re: XLR thoughts [riceowls] by katcar May 08, 2006 (9:05 am)
Replying to: riceowls (Jun 27, 2005 8:21 am) I am seriously shopping for a hardtop convertible. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the SLK and the XLR. My hsb likes the XLR but I'm not convinced yet (it's my car). I was immediately impressed with the XLR styling but also love the new SLK look.   I'm concerned about the lack of trunk room in the XLR. I look forward to long weekend drives but need room for at least small luggage. When I examined the XLR with the top down there seemed to be no trunk space at all. Am I wrong?   From the Edmund's consumer feedback it seems the SLK has some trunk space with the top down. I still need a looksee on this car.   I'm also concerned with the price difference. Is the XLR worth the additional funds compared to the SLK?   Would love to hear some feedback.   Thanks! Replies to this message: laurasdada (May 08, 2006 4:12 pm) katcar (May 09, 2006 5:06 am) laurasdada (May 09, 2006 5:52 pm) 213xlrv (May 13, 2006 4:01 pm)
#131 of 199 Re: XLR thoughts [katcar] by laurasdada May 08, 2006 (4:12 pm)
Replying to: katcar (May 08, 2006 9:05 am) Hello, Kat:   "I'm also concerned with the price difference. Is the XLR worth the additional funds compared to the SLK? "   I hate to be master of the obvious, but only you can answer that question. What do you need/want/desire/value and how much are you willing to pay to fulfill those variables? Is the XLR worth many more $ than a Corvette convertible, it's kissin' cousin?   While I've casually shopped both, I never noted top-down trunk space, but I don't think you'll get much more than 6 cu ft. in any HT convertible with the top down. I think you are correct, though. With top down, the trunk is quite limited in the XLR. But not as miniscule as the Lexus SC430.   Have you investigated the new Volvo C70, VW Eos and rumored BMW 3 series and Lexus IS HT convertibles?   Lovely choice you get to make, though. Be sure to post as you compare/contrast and buy. Replies to this message: katcar (May 09, 2006 5:06 am) laurasdada (May 09, 2006 5:52 pm)
#132 of 199 Re: XLR thoughts [laurasdada] by katcar May 09, 2006 (5:06 am)
Replying to: laurasdada (May 08, 2006 4:12 pm) Laura,   I have a lovely choice & a lovely husband! I've been observing various models on the road to see what visually appeals to me. I've also looked at the XLR the dealership but not the SLK- yet. I recently researched Edmunds on hardtop convertibles which was extremely helpful.   The hardtop is my number one factor follwed by reliability, comfort and power (I like my horses!).   I previously owned a '86 Fiero GT - great style, excellent engine quality, great horsepower - it was an exception to the Fiero rule. I'd like to experience the sporty feel & performance of this car but with more comfort since I'm no longer in my 20s!   I have looked at the Volvo but it's not sporty enough. Actually Motorweek on PBS had a segment on it last week. I'm not a VW person and for the money I'm spending I want something a little more unique than the BMW 3 series. Also, half our execs have the BMW roadster- too common.   My hsb thinks the XLR is worth the difference but I'm more practical-minded. I'm not convinced yet but hoping. Replies to this message: laurasdada (May 09, 2006 5:52 pm)
#133 of 199 Re: XLR thoughts [katcar] by laurasdada May 09, 2006 (5:52 pm)
Replying to: katcar (May 09, 2006 5:06 am) It's interesting that you mention reliability and are shopping a GM vs. Mercedes! GM with its (probably well deserved since the '70s, but getting better?) less than stellar reputation for building reliable cars and Mercedes with its somewhat recent well-publicized quility woes.   Having written that, I think Cadillac has been building better cars for the last couple of years. Maybe XLR owners here could chip in on the build quality/relibility of their cars. I just re-read a lux convertible comparo (on-line, forget which of the Big Three car mags it was and it was a couple of years old) and the XLR was the only one that had top operation glitches (they had to manually fold in one of the small rear windows, if I recall, when lowering the top). The XLR did fare well overall, but the MB SL came out #1.   My only Fiero story (well, mentally I'm still in my 20s...!) was catching a ride with my friend Lori who had a black Fiero. Driving along and suddenly the driver's side window just fell into the door! "Not again!" she said. I think, unfortunately, she had a typical Fiero...   I, too, went the practical-minded route in my most recent purchase. I was shopping Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans (darn family!), the usual suspects. And the MB E Class. I really wanted the E, but my practical New England tendency got the best of the "just go for it" voice in my head. Voila, very happy owner of an '05 Acura TL. Nice car, the E. But I just didn't see the extra $20k. I'll take the savings and apply it to my mid-life crisis toy. I actually think I'm a bit late for the crisis?!   Anyway, looking forward to your shopping reviews and decision process.
#134 of 199 XLR vs. other cars... by claires HOST May 10, 2006 (8:40 pm)
Folks, if you'd like to compare and contrast the features of the XLR vs. German or other autos, you're welcome to start another topic for that purpose. This topic's for discussing the features of the XLR/XLR-V. Continued off-topic posts will be removed, as will disrespectful ones.
#135 of 199 Re: XLR thoughts [katcar] by 213xlrv May 13, 2006 (4:01 pm)
Replying to: katcar (May 08, 2006 9:05 am) None of these 2-seat retractable hardtop roadsters have much trunk space with the tops stowed. When I travel for a weekend with my wife we usually do not have the top down for the freeway drive to the destination so it doesn't matter. With the top up, the XLR/XLR-v cargo space is comparatively vast out back. With the top down, we can carry two soft overnight bags and one small additional item if nothing is overstuffed. Two briefcases or computer bags are no problem. For a day trip I see no impediments to making it with only top-down space available.   Is the XLR or V worth the extra money over an SLK or Corvette? The SLK is cramped and feels like a toy to me -- not remotely comparable as an automobile. The XLR shares the Corvette's underlying platform and the Vette is much lighter because it is a sports car, not a luxury GT. Which you want more is up to you. If you want pure performance, the Vette is your ride. If you want a luxury sporting GT, the XLR is the better variant, but with less ultimate grip and power-per-dollar.   Phil

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