The only question is.... can you live with an auto transmission?

 

Test drive a mid-$70K Caddy is one thing, owning one is another story. Beautiful interior, powerful engine but dislike the frontal view. Auto Reliability section of 04 Consumer Reports Buying Guide does not show a single Caddy model from 95-02 with a better than average overalll reliability. I would like to have better than average overall reliability for a vehicle that is above average in price

 

i agree

 

I like the XLR alot, but I can think of a few other cars that are better for the money, or maybe a little more...

Shawn

 

I like your idea TX, but I don't think the dealership will be too kind to a 17 yr old kid who walks in and asks to drive their brand new baby. Oh, and I haven't had the pleasure of driving an SC430 or new SL either. Guess I'll just have to wait.

James

 

they let me, when i was 18... at least lexus did... i got to drive a gx470 and sc430 bc i told them i was checking them out for my dad....

he had an ls430, so i drove that....

my aunt had the last old style 7 series, i drove that. (haven't got to drive her 03 7.45)

and i havent been able to drive the new s class, the mercedes dealer didnt take me seriously

just pretend like you are looking for a new car, if you have to, drive in in your parents car.... if i rolled up in my dads ls430, they believed that i could really afford those cars and i had a better chance of driving them....

 

GS400998 hit the nail on the head....I agree completely. A test-drive is one thing; living with a car day in and day out is quite another. The XLR has a nice LOOKING interior and appears well-screwed together, but how will it hold up over time? That has traditionally been Cadillac's weakness...and was the Catera's downfall.

 

It may be in the 70's, but at least its of a high quality then a C5. I have sat in a few C5's, and honestly (no offense to Vette drivers), the interior materials seamed of the exact same quality of the Olds Intrigue I used to drive. But from what I've heard on Car And Driver, the interior materials of this Caddy were definetely upgraded to feel more solid than the other GM cars. I must give it up to GM for finally realizing this and doing something about it. Styling-wise its a love-it or hate it car... just like the SC. As many people as I know who love the SC430, I know just as good of a many who totally do not prefer it. From what i've read though about its driving characteristics, its supposed to give its competitors a pretty good run for its money. I'd still take the SL personally... i think its the most beautiful car ever built... with or w/o that 3-point star.

 

Word is this was the onlt tranny slated for initial release........ Apparently GM has/is working on a 'paddle-shift' type tranny for both the next XLR and upcoming 500-hp Z06!

 

if its anything like the Dodge-Autostick... watch out world...

 

Why is that ?? I don't know much about the Dodge-Autostick...

Shawn

 

sounds promising... but I hope this doesn't mean that the upcoming z06 will only be available with the paddle shifters... Because that would be

To me, some cars just require that 6-speed manual with a clutch, and the Corvette is one of those.

 

From what I've heard the paddle shifters will just be paddle shifted automatics. Not the sequential transmission found in M3s, Ferraris, etc. This may be an option on the Z06, but I'd rather go clutch on the floor and 6MT thana torque converter with a 4 speed paddle shifter, especially on a 500 hp car.

James

 

Hehe, sorry I was being sarcastic. Auto-stick is the cheap system they have on Statuses (plural, Strati?) and all those car to shift manually. When I was valet parking, I drove several and messed around with them, they take a good 3 second to respond to you upshifting or downshifting.

 

Yes, ........as far as just LOOKING at it......the interior is gorgeous, but will it hold up with years of use and wear? Shoddy materials have been one of Caddy's biggest problems (see my earlier post). The SC430 also has a gorgeous interior that DOES hold up. We'll see......maybe this time Cadillac has finally delivered on its promises.