Test Drive: 2004 XLR

[Bruce Nunnally]

Took a short test drive in a black/black 2004 XLR today. Salesman was busy, so he helped me get the top down and the car started and let me take it out solo. Car had 13K miles or so.

The tip-in throttle response does not seem as dramatic on the XLR as in my CTS. However, my CTS has a loud intake and exhaust, so that may seem more responsive. On the other hand, once the XLR gets motivated it has brutal acceleration. So, much like the Northstar STS in acceleration characteristics, only more so. The XLR weighs 3600lbs or so, and has 320 hp, and is a 0-60mph in 5.8s and 14sec quartermile car more or less; so it is not all THAT quicker than my CTS, but I was thinking it would feel a lot quicker, especially with the top down.

After walking around this example and studying it from every angle, I was frankly not that excited about the XLR. I was more thinking 2 seats is 2 too few, and they cost a lot. After driving it, I could see getting one. The forward view is great over the long hood, although the visors seem intrusively low; this may be a seat adjustment issue, but I think is a convertible issue. The rear view is wide open, nothing in the way of any angle. The XLR was comfortable in our 94F heat with the A/C blowing full blast, so I think one could drive it as a convertible a lot more of the year here than I had imagined.

The car was not easy to get into or out of, but I feel this was a problem that the seat memory positions were certainly not adjusted for me. The seat was comfortable once I got it adjusted properly, and the steering has tilt and telescope. The push button start is interesting, and there is a push button door handle to get out. The top raise/lower is nice, and minds that you dont' do it wrong. It is all automatic otherwise, you just open the trunk and push a button and the hard top raises or lowers, and the trunk closes itself.

I didn't try any high dynamics in traffic, but the XLR has a corvette suspension, so that seem reliably wonderful.

[GreenMachine]

Theres a black/black XLR setting at the dealer close to me, thinking of taking it for a drive just to try it out....I could only dream of affording a 70,000 dollar car.

[JasonA]

The XLR is on the C6 platform, which I understand is improved over the C5. My brother has a C5 and, although it's not very easy to get into, once you're in there, the car fits like a glove. His car is the first convertible I had ever driven and the experiece is totally different from anything I've previous tried, including my old Cutlass that had t-tops. His C5 rides VERY good. Not Cadillac plush obvously, but not at all like it's handling capabilities would lead on. I would expect the XLR to also ride very good, especially on the new platform.

[Bruce Nunnally]

I agree the XLR 'fit' fine, once I was in it, but the seat memory and seat exit positions were obviously not set for my use. This was not intended as a criticism of the XLR or the way the seat works, just noted.

The interesting thing about the 2004 XLRs is that you can find several on ebay under or around $50K. As these cars get more affordable they are increasingly interesting. Yes, it is a 3 year old car now with the 2007s out, but with only 13k miles this example was just getting started.

I hope Cadillac sells a lot of STS-V's, so that there is a plentiful supply of lightly used 469hp Northstars on the market another day. The 2 seater XLR probably will be often purchased as a second or weekend car though, and benefit from lower miles per year of usage.

Here is a shot of the XLR; I took other pictures but they were mostly close-ups of details:

[Poobah]

I'm curious about something regarding the XLR:

Can the top go from open to closed and back within the confines of a typical garage? I've never actually watched one reconfigure but the photos I've seen look like the top goes so high that it would have to be done outside.

[GreenMachine]

If you can open the trunk and have clearance for that you can open/close the top, it kinda folds over on itself, I think the cadillac website (www.cadillac.com) has a demo video in their XLR page.

EDIT: yep it does, go there, click XLR Roadster at the top, Features>>>Convertable

[cardio-doc]

Thanks to Bruce for taking the time and effort to look at a car for me that was local to him. I really appreciate it, Bruce.

cheers,

~Doc

[ted tcb]

Thanks to Bruce for taking the time and effort to look at a car for me that was local to him. I really appreciate it, Bruce.

cheers,

~Doc

Ahh, black on black ... the only colour allowed on Doc's driveway