Here she is:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=313962133&dealer_id=66016645&car_year=2005
My girlfriend has wanted an XLR for a while and found this one last night. I'm gonna take a drive down with her and test it out, maybe she'll buy it, next weekend. She comes from a big Caddy family - they have a DeVille, SRX and an Allante now.
Opinions? Have at it...
Buy it for her and then have someone professionally photograph the XLR and Allante together (and the DeVille if it is a coupe!). :praise:
Looking good. Interesting color. I seem to recall that most were either sold in silver or red.
There's something that's very "old" about the XLR. Don't get me wrong, it still looks pretty good, just very dated.
Quote from: CALL_911 on January 21, 2012, 03:05:06 PM
There's something that's very "old" about the XLR. Don't get me wrong, it still looks pretty good, just very dated.
+1
The interior, especially, looks very dated. Much more so than a comparable year SL.
Still, I would probably take an XLR over an SL just due to exclusivity.
I'm not a big fan of the XLR.
Based on the C6, only worse, and more expensive.
Quote from: Lebowski on January 21, 2012, 03:47:53 PM
I'm not a big fan of the XLR.
Based on the C6, only worse, and more expensive.
You beat me to it! IMO The styling hasn't aged as gracefully as the C6. Side note: Why didn't GM use the Caddy steering wheel in the C6 instead of the Cobalt wheel? :nutty:
Styling is still good for jet-black IMO. The creases and angles just look dated on other colors.
There is a certain uniqueness about the XLR. How many did they end up selling?
Quote from: Galaxy on January 21, 2012, 05:25:23 PM
There is a certain uniqueness about the XLR. How many did they end up selling?
15k
Good idea, so-so execution. GM should have pulled out all the stops. Aside from its current crop of cars, when was the last time GM got an interior 100% right?
I remember thinking that the interior was pretty nice at the time... :huh:
Quote from: Laconian on January 21, 2012, 05:37:38 PM
I remember thinking that the interior was pretty nice at the time... :huh:
Not for the $70,000+ Cadillac was charging for those things, in 2004 at that.
Quote from: thecarnut on January 21, 2012, 03:22:27 PM
+1
The interior, especially, looks very dated. Much more so than a comparable year SL.
Still, I would probably take an XLR over an SL just due to exclusivity.
Exclusivity be damned. Only a very brave (or foolish) person would take an XLR over a Merc SL. You have to pity the original buyer of this car. I estimate he/she lost somewhere around $45K-$50K in depreciation alone. Over the course of seven years, that's like setting fire to a $20.00 bill every day.
Similar money will get you this:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=311256200&dealer_id=396745&car_year=2005&model=SL_CLASSCLASS_SERIES&pager.offset=50&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&search_type=used&distance=500&min_price=23000&rdm=1327204978765&marketZipError=false&sownerid=51876305&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2013&showZipError=y&dma=NASHVILLE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&first_record=51&isFlashPlugin=true&default_sort=priceDESC&address=37221&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=27000&make=MB&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=597&standard=false
Or this:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=312711813&dealer_id=66881675&car_year=2004&model=SL_CLASSCLASS_SERIES&pager.offset=50&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&search_type=used&distance=500&min_price=23000&rdm=1327204978765&marketZipError=false&sownerid=51876305&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2013&showZipError=y&dma=NASHVILLE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&first_record=51&isFlashPlugin=true&default_sort=priceDESC&address=37221&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=27000&make=MB&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=469&standard=false
Why would you pity the owner of an XLR any more than the owner of a Mercedes-Benz SL? You just showed us that the SL depreciates as badly.
Dirt cheap. I never liked those wheels though.
Quote from: 93JC on January 21, 2012, 09:39:22 PM
Why would you pity the owner of an XLR any more than the owner of a Mercedes-Benz SL? You just showed us that the SL depreciates as badly.
Oh, I pity both. It's just that the person who bought the SL got the better car even though they burned a lot of money too. This perfectly illustrates why buying new is a suckers game.
Somebody has to or there wouldn't be any used new cars for the rest of us.
In my region, SLs are way more popular than XLRs. I guess it's obvious that the SL has more demand, so it follows that it might carry more panache, but in my book the XLR is a more unique and attention-grabbing vehicle.
I've toyed with the idea of an XLR as a second car a few years down the road. It's like a love child between a C6 and an SL, but to be honest, I'd rather have either a C6 (6MT convertible) or an SL over an XLR, given similar price points. But I guess I can understand wanting one of you're a big Caddy fan.
A lot to pay for a moderate-mileage domestic that is well out of warranty. The Northstar is not a long-lived engine unfortunately...
I've heard that too.
Quote from: Laconian on January 21, 2012, 11:43:23 PM
I've heard that too.
So have I. Funny thing is, despite the Northstar's ticking time bomb reputation, a coworker of mine has a mega-mile Seville SLS and his Northstar has been a paragon of reliability.
I had a couple in the store the other day with a nice shiny black Z convertible. Apparently they wanted a XLR but their indie mechanic talked them out of it. After a decade of problems the northstar is still as big of a turd as it ever was.
When it debuted in 1990 the Northstar was a world class engine (on paper) beating ze Germans in power and efficiency, let alone towering over the rest of Detroit. Time would show though that it was only good for ~100K miles and repairs were mega expensive (the starter was in the "V" of the block under the intake manifold). It's a crime GM hardly sunk a dime into it in the ~20 years it was in production, let alone replace it.
Quote from: GoCougs on January 21, 2012, 11:32:43 PM
A lot to pay for a moderate-mileage domestic that is well out of warranty. The Northstar is not a long-lived engine unfortunately...
I don't know about the Northstar, but a same year Corvette, which started at like 20-30K less, costs the same.
I love the XLR. Go for it.
Quote from: Raza on January 22, 2012, 08:43:47 AM
I don't know about the Northstar, but a same year Corvette, which started at like 20-30K less, costs the same.
Sure does.....
Quote from: Raza on January 22, 2012, 08:43:47 AM
I don't know about the Northstar, but a same year Corvette, which started at like 20-30K less, costs the same.
Eh, she's not really looking for a sports car (like a 'Vette) as much as a "sporty" convertible to drive around in on sunny days. She has an SUV already for bad weather that she'll keep. Also, not go all H&H on you, but she's just a big time Caddy fan and has loved the car since it first came out. If it was me, I'd buy any of the SL models posted, but that's just because I'm way more of a German car fan.
I'm not overly concerned about the Northstar. It'll take her probably 6-7 years to even make it to 100K. She works a few blocks away from where she lives and the only other place she drives is to the beach near me on the weekend, about 40 minutes away.
SLK sounds right up your alley. Seems like you can get a newer SLK for the price of an XLR, but don't quote me on it.
Quote from: Madman on January 21, 2012, 11:58:35 PM
So have I. Funny thing is, despite the Northstar's ticking time bomb reputation, a coworker of mine has a mega-mile Seville SLS and his Northstar has been a paragon of reliability.
Yeah, actually I know someone who just sold a Seville with over 180K on the original engine. A couple issues here or there over the years but he said it was a pretty reliable car.
What about an Eos? It's not RWD XLR, but if she's just looking for a nice convertible, the Eos seems to be right that way, but with an extra row of seats, and far better economy (and likely reliability).
Quote from: 2o6 on January 22, 2012, 02:11:30 PM
SLK sounds right up your alley. Seems like you can get a newer SLK for the price of an XLR, but don't quote me on it.
Quote from: TurboDan on January 22, 2012, 02:09:33 PM
but she's just a big time Caddy fan and has loved the car since it first came out.
Sheesh!
It sorta screams Chick Car or Dr's car. Since your GF is a chick, it's acceptable for her to drive one.
The 80yo porn shop owner down the street that recently committed suicide drove a burgundy XLR to and from the mailbox. (sad story)
Quote from: Laconian on January 21, 2012, 05:37:38 PM
I remember thinking that the interior was pretty nice at the time... :huh:
it is. Granted, its marginally inferior to the a comparable Mercedes; but its within spitting distance. Much of the badgering it gets for its interior is just plain old brand bias.
Quote from: TurboDan on January 22, 2012, 02:09:33 PM
Eh, she's not really looking for a sports car (like a 'Vette) as much as a "sporty" convertible to drive around in on sunny days. She has an SUV already for bad weather that she'll keep. Also, not go all H&H on you, but she's just a big time Caddy fan and has loved the car since it first came out. If it was me, I'd buy any of the SL models posted, but that's just because I'm way more of a German car fan.
I'm not overly concerned about the Northstar. It'll take her probably 6-7 years to even make it to 100K. She works a few blocks away from where she lives and the only other place she drives is to the beach near me on the weekend, about 40 minutes away.
Nah, just saying the XLR is a good value at 25K.
SL
Quote from: Laconian on January 22, 2012, 03:59:47 PM
The 80yo porn shop owner down the street that recently committed suicide drove a burgundy XLR to and from the mailbox. (sad story)
Who is going to inherit his vast porn collection? :lol:
XLR purchased. Final price $22,500.
Drove it back to NJ and the thing is just awesome in seemingly every way. Never knew the Northstar could produce such a cool exhaust note until I heard it in this car. Very tight handling, hugs the road like a champ. Very low to the ground, though – she'll have to be careful pulling into driveways and parking lots. Gas mileage is awful, but who cares - you don't buy a car like this to worry about such things.
On another note, shopping at the dealership, Motorcars Washington, in Chantilly, VA, is a very cool experience. We dealt with owner, Jared (sp?) who is a young guy, really into cars, and you can tell he loves every minute of being in the business. He resells very high end used and rare cars (most of the cars in his garage were $100K-plus) and had lots of cool stories to tell. Said he's trying to get his hands on a Veyron at the moment, believe it or not.
I told him when the Land Rover is paid off, I might be interested in maybe a 5-6 year old SL-Class. Pretty serious about that one too, actually.
Congrats.
Pics!
wat
Quote from: Soup DeVille on January 22, 2012, 05:37:13 PM
it is. Granted, its marginally inferior to the a comparable Mercedes; but its within spitting distance. Much of the badgering it gets for its interior is just plain old brand bias.
Nah, the build quality/materials were noticeably worse.
Still, it's a hell of a car, especially at 25k
Quote from: TurboDan on January 29, 2012, 12:32:21 PM
I told him when the Land Rover is paid off, I might be interested in maybe a 5-6 year old SL-Class. Pretty serious about that one too, actually.
When that time comes we'll be here for ya! :ohyeah:
Congrats on the XLR! :cheers:
It epitomizes the GM Science & Technology styling philosophy. A friend of mine has a bright red XLR. I quite like it.
man, we are great critics, eh? chuckle, chuckle :lol:
what is important is your girlfriend's opinion, dan, and how lucky the rest of us would be to have a wife or partner opting for such a controversial, yet ultra special car! you "done" good, bro...
So, she has the high end convertible and you have the white mumsy SUV?
Quote from: Raza on January 30, 2012, 06:50:09 AM
So, she has the high end convertible and you have the white mumsy SUV?
I'm kinda locked into some type of SUV ownership as long as I have a boat, which will be forever. OTOH, after a couple years I'm going to pick up a two seater and just use the LR2 for SUV-ish type purposes. One step at a time.
Quote from: Raza on January 30, 2012, 06:50:09 AM
So, she has the high end convertible and you have the white mumsy SUV?
I like the fact that you call his car momsy while driving a jetta college chick car, and he ends up defending himself.
Quote from: SVT32V on January 30, 2012, 10:46:05 AM
I like the fact that you call his car momsy while driving a jetta college chick car, and he ends up defending himself.
It's a 2.0T with a stick. Let's see how many college girls drive a Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T with a stick.
Quote from: SVT32V on January 30, 2012, 10:46:05 AM
I like the fact that you call his car momsy while driving a jetta college chick car, and he ends up defending himself.
I was gonna make a Jetta crack, but I actually kinda like certain versions of the Jetta, his being one of them. Ironically, however, the only person I know personally who has the 2.0 Wolfsburg is actually a chick.
Quote from: TurboDan on January 30, 2012, 03:26:10 PM
I was gonna make a Jetta crack, but I actually kinda like certain versions of the Jetta, his being one of them. Ironically, however, the only person I know personally who has the 2.0 Wolfsburg is actually a chick.
Eh, I'm used to the jokes. The don't really bother me. Truth is that it's a great car and that's what matters to me. Anecdotally, though, I see more guys in MkVs than girls.
Quote from: TurboDan on January 30, 2012, 08:42:19 AM
I'm kinda locked into some type of SUV ownership as long as I have a boat, which will be forever. OTOH, after a couple years I'm going to pick up a two seater and just use the LR2 for SUV-ish type purposes. One step at a time.
Boo-urns.
(http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Carl/IMG_3184.sized.jpg)
Quote from: omicron on January 31, 2012, 05:23:01 AM
Boo-urns.
(http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Carl/IMG_3184.sized.jpg)
(http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/808/excellent.gif)
Quote from: omicron on January 31, 2012, 05:23:01 AM
Boo-urns.
(http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Carl/IMG_3184.sized.jpg)
Yeah, but I also want to be able to drive on the beach. To go fishing at the beach at Holgate, NJ, you have to walk almost two miles across the sand out to the ocean for the best fishing – carrying all your gear in the process. It's way, way easier just to pay for the $25 permit and drive out there.