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Coupes & Convertibles Cadillac XLR and XLR-V Cadillac XLR vs. Mercedes-Benz SL
63 messages, Last post on Mar 07, 2009 at 4:51 AM
You are in the Cadillac XLR and XLR-V Forum. Your Host is claires
Compare and contrast the features of the Cadillac XLR/XLR-V with those of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class models.
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should be compared to the SLK or CLK MB, bu the S Class. The fact that the market thinks the price is too high (if thats really true) is probably because either the interrior like you mentioned, even though i can't find anything to fault, or the fact that cadillac does not have a lower price roadster like MB. The XLR though, has twice the road presence of the MB, and its both lighter and faster. Its got heated and cooled seats, Bvlgair dash and anodised aluminum. What can be cooler than that? The only thing i think is missing, is a stip of wood trim in front of the passengerm where it says "XLR" on the right side of the dash, from the center stack to the start of the side door. This would make it symmetrical with the wood trim on the steering wheel. Just my oppinnion though, and not a deal breaker. Something though, i agree should have been thought of better. Like there shoudl be room behind the seats for a suitcase (meybe behind each seat) and even though the XLR has the most trunk space with the top up, meybe another inch of trunk space would have helped the car edge out the SL in that C&D comparo. Although a Road and Track comparo has the XLR in 2nd place behind the Porche. This, the way it is, is defenetley a weekend car, not a business car. Since there is little room to do much else. The execution of everything else, however is superb. The ride/handling, the platform, the roof, the leather. It is a wonderfully done car and a good flagship.
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Replying to: exalteddragon1 (Jun 25, 2006 8:10 am) Caddy is certainly turning it around with unique models and distinct designs (although to me the CTS and STS are of the "One sausage, two lenghts school" with the STS less unnatractive due to a generally cleaner appearance). The XLR and SRX work pretty well for me. Although, possibly save for the STS, none of the interiors work for me. Design, mostly with some GM parts bin pieces thrown in. As you said, not a deal breaker here (well, it was for the CTS when I was car shopping. Interior and exterior got it crossed very quickly off my list), but it is for many. And logically, the XLR will be cross shopped with the SL500 & SC430, possibly the SLK, in the hardtop convertible market. Throw in Jag XK and BMW 6 in the mix and it's a tough neighborhood. I think they should have priced the XLR closer to the Lexus, even undercut it. As far as being compared to the S Class? How? Only in price, but I doubt someone would compare a large four door sedan to a small two seat convertible, assuming they can only buy one car... Nice to see some action in this thread. And agreed, the XLR overall is a good flagship for Caddy. |
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Sedan, I mean the SL500 Roadster. Look at Cadillac's competition... SL500 - Overpriced, too many of them around, but established SC430 - Slow, Pudgy, wierd Al interrior, but Lexus 'quality' and very low price Jag XK - big fat (not enough room for its size) and soft top - not in this league BMW 6 - same as Jag, but add ugly. now check out the cadillac - Priced in between SL500 and SC430, made of 3mm thick fiberglass, hardtop by the same people who make the SL's, lighter, faster, based on a true sports car chassis, but in this price range yet unestablished. I think its a good bet that this car has all the right moves. I am too young to remember much of cadillac's 'woes' but i believe it, still looking at today's cadillacs and i think they have more prestige than MB or BMW. This is IMO but i look at the showroom and I don't see 1980's, I see Matrix II, cars that look like they were pulled from the future. The XLR is the perfect icing on this very nice cake. Its also a great car to establish and test the waters of the 70+ K segment for cadillac. They might make a sedan in this range sooner or later. The XLR especially, has exclusivity without that horrible stench of Jaguar quality. Its built better than MB too. You can see the trends now, with MB going down and GM going up.
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Replying to: exalteddragon1 (Jun 26, 2006 7:48 am) And, really, all MBs are overpriced compared to comparable cars. But, they've earned a reputation, recently tarninshed, but I don't think it's hurt them that much in the US...yet? The SC: Yes, the exterior is just odd from some angles. But, besides the lighter colored wood interior option, I find the interior just lovely. High quality. Jag XK: Gorgeous, still. Haven't seen enough of the '07, but the '97-'06 will always be stunning. Advantage of the soft top is great trunks space, but I'm not interested in a ragtop. BMW 6 I find handsome until you get to that horrible, tacked on, cheap looking, did someone attach the wrong part to the rear of the car trunk lid!!! I really can't stand to look at that trunk, it so ruins the car for me. Plus I'm not a big fan of the new BMW interiors. And I wouldn't use the phrase, "horrible stench of...quality" anywhere near a GM discussion! 
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Replying to: exalteddragon1 (Jun 26, 2006 7:48 am) Better made than the SL? Really. No one in the industry has found this to be true, only GM supporters. The gripes about Cadillac's interior quality have been far and wide and in this latest comparo they got knocked on that again. The XLR-V just got trounced by the Jaguar XK and Mercedes SL550. To make matters worse the performance gap between the SL550 and XLR-V isn't nearly as much as it was just a few months ago. The SL550 scored better in handling and the XLR-V's brakes were clearly lacking compared to the 911 and SL550. So much for that "sports car" chassis being an advantage in the luxury class. Mercedes going down and GM going up? In what world is this? GM is dying, that is the trend. It has gotten to the point where others are approaching them to see if they can be of some help, while Mercedes is having a grand year with record sales and one impressive showing after another of various products. I find it very interesting that you don't remember Cadillac's woes, but Jaguar has a stinch? Cadillac and Jaguar were both literally in the same boat during the same period, the 80's and most of the 90's. M
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Replying to: merc1 (Jul 09, 2006 9:23 pm)
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Replying to: woodlands (Jul 15, 2006 7:19 pm) M
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Replying to: merc1 (Jul 16, 2006 8:15 pm) I will say that I have never been a big fan of mercs or BMWs. However, I bought a Chrysler Crossfire and became interested in what SLK owners had to say about their cars because of the similarities to the Crossfire. Based on the comments you find it would take a fool to buy a new (or recent model) SLK. Way, way too many problems with every part of the car.
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Replying to: woodlands (Aug 07, 2006 5:06 pm) Do we really want to get into finding comments on the net about unhappy owners? GM owners would own the bandwidth on that one! M
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