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Cadillac XLR vs. Mercedes-Benz SL

63 messages,  Last post on Mar 07, 2009 at 4:51 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Cadillac XLR-V, Cadillac XLR, Convertible

Compare and contrast the features of the Cadillac XLR/XLR-V with those of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class models.

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#59 of 63 Re: Cadillac has to go over the top to Compete [ny3uvl714] by jlmartin Jun 22, 2008 (6:13 am)
Replying to: ny3uvl714 (Jun 19, 2008 7:52 pm) I do get your point, we simply do not agree. For my comparative evaluation Mercedes-Benz's SL550 should offer more than an interior that looks like a coupe, a nice coupe, but so common and familiar. And again when you option the SL550 to the level of Cadillac's XLR, the SL550's interior becomes a sea of buttons and for my requirements that does bode of a better interior design, but less. Mercedes-Benz’s SL550 is my least favored interior design of what I have evaluated. I very much wanted to like and purchase Mercedes-Benz's SL500 over Cadillac's XLR, but every time I compared these two wonderful luxury sports cars, Cadillac's XLR simply impressed me as the better design.   I wish Cadillac all the sales success, but quite honestly I do not select my luxury performance roadster on who sells the most cars, but instead on the best designed luxury sports car, bar none. Cadillac's XLR was my first preference in 2005 and I purchased it over Mercedes-Benz's SL500. Now, fast forward to 2008 and my mission is to replace my 2005 Cadillac XLR with a new luxury performance roadster. So I evaluated Jaguar's XK convertible and Mercedes-Benz's SL550 and I prefer the styling of the new Jag over the SL550. But the Jaguar XK is missing some key features, and advance technology. Jaguar does not offer a hardtop convertible only a softtop and telematics are not offered at all, which is surprising when you consider Jaguar's XK is latest platform to hit the market. So, the Jaguar's XK is eliminated early and now this leaves again a purchase decision for 2009, Cadillac's XLR or Mercedes-Benz's SL550   For my comparative evaluation, I reviewed Mercedes-Benz's SL550 again and for 2009 there are some styling changes for the SL550, but less appealing than the previous year, in my view. I will give credit the new front end looks more aggressive and less common compared to last year’s model, but it looks less refined. The rear exhaust design is refine and simply gorgeous. In order to evaluate what Cadillac has to offer in the XLR, I attended the 2008 Cadillac XLR Rendezvous III in Bowling Green KY. This annual Cadillac XLR owner event was the world preview of Cadillac's 2009 XLR. From a styling perspective, Cadillac's designers created changes that are subtle but stunning. From the new Cadillac XLR Platinum front end to the functional vents to the absolutely gorgeous rear end and exhaust design, Cadillac has somehow enhanced the beautiful and exotic styling of the XLR. So again from my perspective Cadillac's XLR offers a more modern, exotic exterior design.   Power remains unchanged for Cadillac’s XLR and Mercedes-Benz’s SL550 for 2009 and both offer competitive performance to each other in driving experience. But again, Cadillac offers the better design with the XLR ‘s Performance Car Architecture and Magnetic Ride Control which translates to a luxury sports car that is quiet, smooth riding, but handles your favorite twisty roads with precision. Mercedes-Benz’s SL550 is just as quiet, smooth riding and handles your favorite twisty road with precision. The difference between the Cadillac XLR is it feels better to drive than the Mercedes-Benz’s SL550 to my taste. I strongly suspect it is the 400-600 additional pounds the SL550 has to carry, which again I evaluate as the lesser design when compared to Cadillac’s XLR.   After attending the 2008 Cadillac XLR Rendezvous III event and returning home to Connecticut, I called my Cadillac dealership and informed them I would be replacing my 2005 XLR with a 2009 XLR model. For me, I simply want to purchase the best designed luxury roadster that meets my requirements and Cadillac’s 2009 XLR is my first preference.   JLM Replies to this message: laurasdada (Jun 22, 2008 8:11 am) jlmartin (Jun 22, 2008 6:43 pm) ny3uvl714 (Jan 27, 2009 12:27 am) jlmartin (Mar 07, 2009 4:51 am)
#60 of 63 Re: Cadillac has to go over the top to Compete [jlmartin] by laurasdada Jun 22, 2008 (8:11 am)
Replying to: jlmartin (Jun 22, 2008 6:13 am) I appreciate your thoughts on this topic. Of course, you are absolutely correct in your reviews/opinions and I envy that you are able to purchase such lovely toys!   Former Ct. resident here. Did you drive the XLR year round? I'm guessing not... Replies to this message: jlmartin (Jun 22, 2008 6:43 pm)
#61 of 63 Re: Cadillac has to go over the top to Compete [laurasdada] by jlmartin Jun 22, 2008 (6:43 pm)
Replying to: laurasdada (Jun 22, 2008 8:11 am) Hi laurasdada,   Thank you and I actually do drive the XLR all year but not as much when snow falls except when the streets are clear. Driving the car all year long is a real benefit in my view.   JLM
#62 of 63 Cadillac must go over the top to compete. [jlmartin] by ny3uvl714 Jan 27, 2009 (12:27 am)
Replying to: jlmartin (Jun 22, 2008 6:13 am) Im disappointed but not surprised that our Cadillac XLR has been cancelled as of February 2009.   I've enjoyed Cadillac convertibles for 34 years, ever since Grandma drove me to the beach with the top down way back in 1975. It was the weekend after she bought her new Eldorado and my first ride in a convertible. Eight years later I turned 16 and Grandma gave me the Eldorado.   Currently own an 04 XLR and a 93 Allante and love them both. Having followed Cadillac for most of my life and being painfully aware of its recent history, I've always felt our XLR needed more refinement and marketing support to avoid following in Allante’s footsteps as a short lived one generation car.   When the XLR came out I caught a lot of flack for my first post:   4-10-2003 Next Generation Northstar Needs MORE POWER!!!   I am pleased to see Cadillac going after the 2 seat hi-lux market segment with its XLR. I am displeased that Cadillac still thinks it can get away with putting in merely adequate horsepower in a flagship model. The pretty but flawed Allante had only 200 hp until 1993(last year of production), its competitors featured 300+ hp V8 and V12 engines. Cadillac’s balky manual top, FWD and modest performance made Allante seem half assed. This time Cadillac has: correct for its segment RWD and an automated convertible hardtop. Unfortunately 315 hp is not enough when you pay $75,000! Currently 400+hp is the class standard.   Again someone is asleep at the wheel.   WAKE UP CADILLAC!!! In order to regain market share you have to WONDERFULLY OUTDO THE COMPETITION while providing the same price point. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Despite Cadillac's shortsightedness I bought my XLR anyway and enjoy it daily.   Last summer I felt XLR was endangered and received disagreement for this post:   6-19-2008   Back in 2003 I felt the XLR was sharp, but not impressive enough to compete strongly against luxury imports. OF COURSE I GOT LOTS OF GRIEF from folks with their heads in the clouds or worse.   Sales figures of XLR have proven what i knew 5 years ago.   The standard $80k XLR should have the current 443hp XLR-V engine and equipment   The $100k XLR-V should add the 550hp supercharged CTS-V engine paired up with an automatic.   Both should have an ultra luxury interior copied directly from Cadillac’s Sixteen concept.   This may seem like overkill, but during the last 20 years Cadillac has lost much prestige and money. To regain prestige, Cadillac must go above and beyond what the competition is doing at the same price. --------------------------------------------------------------------------   I caught even stronger disagreement when I spelled out my concern about the XLR's future:   6-20-2008   What no one seems to admit here is that Cadillac has lost tons of prestige and sales and is now playing catch up in its own domestic market. To regain that credibility, GM must go over the top with its newest Cadillac models. Yes the XLR weighs less and looks better at the curb than the europeans. However it is not over the top enough in performance or interior presentation to stand high above the competition. For XLR to succeed and continue production, just being competent wont cut it. Class leading road performance, reliability and interior decor are crucial. Without these attributes and generous amounts of smart advertising /promotion/PR , Cadillac will continue as an also ran in its own home market and the XLR will go away . I want Cadillac to be #1 in the US luxury market.   I am passionate about American cars, especially Cadillac and have always been concerned for the jobs of those making American cars. I have never bought an imported/import branded car. My XLR despite its shortcomings has been a very good car, it would have been a pleasure to buy another one.   What puzzles me are the negative or strongly dissenting forum responses to my pointing out areas where our cars could stand some improvement.   Is it that some of our folks here are in denial, just like GM has been for so long? Replies to this message: jlmartin (Mar 07, 2009 4:51 am)
#63 of 63 Re: Cadillac must go over the top to compete. [ny3uvl714] by jlmartin Mar 07, 2009 (4:51 am)
Replying to: ny3uvl714 (Jan 27, 2009 12:27 am) Greetings All,   I share agreement in the opinion Cadillac required more advertising of the XLR, due to the segment of this market is very limited and I view this to be the weak link for XLR sales, not the product itself. That is not to say more power and improvements are not required to remain competitive and superior in this segment of luxury performance roadsters. That said, recently I evaluated Cadillac's 2009 XLR Platinum, Jaguar's XK Convertible, Mercedes-Benz's SL550 and Aston Martin's Vantage Convertible to replace my 2005 Cadillac XLR. All of these luxury performance roadsters are world class products.   From a pure design perspective, there are only two luxury performance roadsters that reach to the level of exotic and they are Aston Martin's Vantage Convertible and Cadillac's XLR Platinum. I simply adore both of these designs and for different reasons they are my first place picks. Cadillac’s XLR Platinum advance engineering, technology, systems integration and features are superior. The Aston Martin’s Vantage Convertible detail interior craftsmanship, palate selection of color and materials are superior. But clearly the performance design of Aston Martin’s Vantage Convertible is more in line with Cadillac’s XLR-V. However, both give up a small measure of ride comfort and overall refinement for the performance advantage. This brings me back to Cadillac’s XLR Platinum. It embodies all of the best attributes of an exotic designed sports car GT coupe, luxury performance roadster and one of the most advanced technology sports cars produced on the planet.    I have decided to replace my 2005 Cadillac XLR and the best luxury performance roadster for my requirements is the 2009 Cadillac XLR Platinum. I placed my order with my Cadillac dealer and we take delivery today. For my requirements, I simply want the best the world has to offer in a luxury performance roadster and Cadillac’s 2009 XLR Platinum gets the sale.   JLM

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