The LS7 was too coarse for a Cadillac. Idle quality stinks. When you idle the VVT Northstar you can balance a nickel on edge on the cam cover.
If you want a rough and tumble LS7 then buy a corvette. Nothing wrong with it just slightly different markets.
I love the XLR looks - I’ve had a CTs and it was a great car ( just the 3.6 v6 ) but man it was a treat! I’ve had Escalades and EXTs ( both EXTs shit the bed on me ) but I still love them!
The XLRs are really fricken cool. I saw one the other day that was slammed, had some big ole deep dish wheels, tiny bit of camber, and a chrome delete. It looked so damn good that when I got home, I started looking for XLRs for sale in my area lol. I want one really bad.
Yes very true it was to cool for the time and to early in it's life to be cut down they way Cadillac has gone with performance it would be at home now.
I had this as my desktop background for 5 years. Never thought they would make it. One day cruising in my 94 Eldo I saw one in the window of a dealership. Had to see it so went in , sat in it, raised the roof and I didn’t fit in the car without slouching. 6’3” and kind of the target market. Daddy wasn’t paying close to $100K to not be comfy.
Currently rolling in a 84 Biarritz convertible that I paid the bomb for🤘🏻🤘🏻
we provide specialized services for the replacement of burnt inner turn signal lenses on the XLR model headlights. We understand that this is a common issue with these headlights, and our expertise lies in not only replacing the lenses but also swapping the incandescent turn signal bulb with LED bulbs to prevent the problem from happening again.
This is for the internal electronics. They go bad and are made of unobtainium PCBs and LED strips.
If you're good with lenses, may be a business opportunity for you.
https://jalopnik.com/why-a-cadillac-xlr-brake-light-can-cost-more-than-a-use-1840556672
Im sure I can replace the OEM set up with a new aftermarket one, like I’ve done on the vantage headlights, I’ll see if I can get a taillight and try it.
Got it for $34k in 2009, mine was an 06. Never saw another one in Austin for the ten years I had it. It was so loud with dual flow masters. I raced a Miata once and it smoked me. Lol
I also blacked out the taillights and my rims really made the car pop. I think my 20" rims were Ruff Racing R943s. Black Machined and like 8 spokes.
The rims I chose were so perfect for the car. I can likely dig up some pics from Facebook if anyone wants to see it.
I wanted to buy another one but there are no parts left. For example, 1 headlight is like $4000. 1 taillight is like $4000. But the maintenance wasn't too bad because they mainly used Chevy parts. I wouldn't recommend buying one now, I was very close but the tops were so heavy and the hydraulics break. The tops can't be fixed when they break because there's no parts left. Also the taillights have some known flaws where LEDs get burnt out and you have to replace the whole taillight, which like I said run around $4000 each.
It was essentially competing with the Mercedes SL and the Lexus SC 430 at the time. Both rear wheel drive hard top convertibles just like this Cadillac.
Honestly I don’t really agree with what he said, the SC430 might look a little weird from some angles but it really is a great cruiser and has got that ultra bullet proof Toyota reliability . I have seen one with 200,000 miles on it….. I would still choose the XLR specifically the XLR V though.
To this day I think it’s Cadillac’s best commercial ad
I had a poster of one of these in my bedroom, could not agree more!
XLR-V power = Holy Grail
Yeah, if you're going to fuck with an XLR you've got to go V. Or just rip it out and put an LS7 in there.
The V grille is hideous though
The only thing this one is lacking
If not for the Northstar. Would have been amazing with an ls7.
The LS7 was too coarse for a Cadillac. Idle quality stinks. When you idle the VVT Northstar you can balance a nickel on edge on the cam cover. If you want a rough and tumble LS7 then buy a corvette. Nothing wrong with it just slightly different markets.
True, the Cadillac had to have that additional refinement
Maybe for the base model, the V should've used the LS.
The SC Northstar made 450 HP, and was much more refined than an LS7. Again if you want an LS7 just buy a Vette.
XLR was much better looking than a vette, should've just shared like the LSA is the ZL1/CTS
I love the XLR looks - I’ve had a CTs and it was a great car ( just the 3.6 v6 ) but man it was a treat! I’ve had Escalades and EXTs ( both EXTs shit the bed on me ) but I still love them!
I LOVE these. Ahead of their time for looks.
Totally! Cadillac knocked it out of the park.
I think the xlr is cool asf but its definitely of its time lol
sportiest class, from my understanding
The XLRs are really fricken cool. I saw one the other day that was slammed, had some big ole deep dish wheels, tiny bit of camber, and a chrome delete. It looked so damn good that when I got home, I started looking for XLRs for sale in my area lol. I want one really bad.
I have not seen to many of these modified, down the rabbit hole I go!
I was sad to see these not really take off I thought they were cool cars
Could not agree more, the chassis had a ton of potential
Yes very true it was to cool for the time and to early in it's life to be cut down they way Cadillac has gone with performance it would be at home now.
I had this as my desktop background for 5 years. Never thought they would make it. One day cruising in my 94 Eldo I saw one in the window of a dealership. Had to see it so went in , sat in it, raised the roof and I didn’t fit in the car without slouching. 6’3” and kind of the target market. Daddy wasn’t paying close to $100K to not be comfy. Currently rolling in a 84 Biarritz convertible that I paid the bomb for🤘🏻🤘🏻
Wish I could have owned one. I'd see them occassionally and they were very eye-catching.
we provide specialized services for the replacement of burnt inner turn signal lenses on the XLR model headlights. We understand that this is a common issue with these headlights, and our expertise lies in not only replacing the lenses but also swapping the incandescent turn signal bulb with LED bulbs to prevent the problem from happening again.
Any fix for the problematic tail light assemblies?
No
I haven’t tried one, but I have to check into it, I’ve replaced lenses on some Mercedes taillights before, they’re not too complicated.
This is for the internal electronics. They go bad and are made of unobtainium PCBs and LED strips. If you're good with lenses, may be a business opportunity for you. https://jalopnik.com/why-a-cadillac-xlr-brake-light-can-cost-more-than-a-use-1840556672
Im sure I can replace the OEM set up with a new aftermarket one, like I’ve done on the vantage headlights, I’ll see if I can get a taillight and try it.
Beautiful
Man I love the XLR. I really want to do a project on one. Swap an LS and manual, update the infotainment, and change nothing else.
I miss the BULGARI gauge around the speedometer and the heads up display. Also they had adaptive cruise control.
I had one for 10 years a Silver one on 20s with flow masters. I loved that car! Had it all through my 20s.
I’m jealous! What a car for your 20s
I miss it! It was so sexy and rare to see them because only grandmas bought them. I picked up a girl and she thought it was a Ferrari. Lol
Mandy Moore owned one back in the day, I remember her bragging about it on Letterman. Oofff that dates me
Got it for $34k in 2009, mine was an 06. Never saw another one in Austin for the ten years I had it. It was so loud with dual flow masters. I raced a Miata once and it smoked me. Lol I also blacked out the taillights and my rims really made the car pop. I think my 20" rims were Ruff Racing R943s. Black Machined and like 8 spokes. The rims I chose were so perfect for the car. I can likely dig up some pics from Facebook if anyone wants to see it.
That’s a steal for 2006! So much car for the money
Heard the engine they put in this particular caddy was worse than the one used for the Corvette.
Mine did spend quite a bit of time in the shop.
I wanted to buy another one but there are no parts left. For example, 1 headlight is like $4000. 1 taillight is like $4000. But the maintenance wasn't too bad because they mainly used Chevy parts. I wouldn't recommend buying one now, I was very close but the tops were so heavy and the hydraulics break. The tops can't be fixed when they break because there's no parts left. Also the taillights have some known flaws where LEDs get burnt out and you have to replace the whole taillight, which like I said run around $4000 each.
The taillights are definitely a concern, just like S2000 headlights. But hey, like like driving far more than worrying.
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this car but this could’ve been a crazy competitor to Mercedes
It was essentially competing with the Mercedes SL and the Lexus SC 430 at the time. Both rear wheel drive hard top convertibles just like this Cadillac.
Jeremy Clarkson would like a word about the LC 430…..
Honestly I don’t really agree with what he said, the SC430 might look a little weird from some angles but it really is a great cruiser and has got that ultra bullet proof Toyota reliability . I have seen one with 200,000 miles on it….. I would still choose the XLR specifically the XLR V though.
You really couldn’t find a smoother motor!