"Replacement XLR" rumors continue

[XLRATING]

Another possible shared platform with the Corvette. I understand the need for economies of scale, but I really think the cross-brand confusion that created when they did that with the XLR helped lead to the end of the XLR. When the inevitable comparisons come up, GM is NOT going to let the Cadillac version top the Corvette.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/cadillac-president-hints-2017-mid-engine-corvette-real-130047708.html

 

[bajarick60]

Another possible shared platform with the Corvette. I understand the need for economies of scale, but I really think the cross-brand confusion that created when they did that with the XLR helped lead to the end of the XLR. When the inevitable comparisons come up, GM is NOT going to let the Cadillac version top the Corvette.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/cadillac-president-hints-2017-mid-engine-corvette-real-130047708.html

Wow just what Cadillac needs...

 

[Crimson Pearl]

Buick Cascada

On a related subject, have you seen the Buick Cascada?

2016 Cascada: Luxury Convertible - Buick

 

[ccclarke]

Another possible shared platform with the Corvette. I understand the need for economies of scale, but I really think the cross-brand confusion that created when they did that with the XLR helped lead to the end of the XLR. When the inevitable comparisons come up, GM is NOT going to let the Cadillac version top the Corvette.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/cadillac-president-hints-2017-mid-engine-corvette-real-130047708.html

The biggest factor contributing to the low sales volume and eventual demise of the XLR was it's totally unrealistic pricing. Near the end of its production run, they jacked the base price up another ten grand! In its defense, the XLR has held its value better than any late model Cadillac I know of, though that doesn't begin to justify the initial pricing.

GM made the same mistake with the ELR and have sold less than 2000 units, even skipping the 2015 model year due to new unsold 2014's (still) on the lots, even with heavy discounting (after the initial release) which only served to marginalize early adopters who paid full price.

The dealers in my area aren't ordering 2016's, so they have to be special-ordered. . . tough to buy a vehicle without a test drive, so this strategy is counter-productive, though I can understand why they're hesitant after being burned the first time.

With certain consumable parts for the XLR out of stock, how well do you think the ELR will be supported parts-wise for owners wishing to keep their vehicles for extended periods, with such low production rates?


In the future, Cadillac will continue with hybrid technology, but will limit its implementation to cars in production as an option - like AWD. Until gas prices inevitably creep back up, we'll continue to purchase all the SUVs we can get our hands on in this country - as evidenced by strong (for Cadillac) SRX sales.

I would be very surprised to see Cadillac enter the market with another two-seat roadster anytime soon, rumors notwithstanding. The Ciel was an interesting concept.

CC

 

[rexster314]

Kinda on the same subject. I'm curious if Cadillac dealers added an extra "premium" charge to the new XLR when it originally came out in 2003 like the Ford dealers did to the retro T-Birds. In the case of the T Birds, this only served to sour the potential buyers and affected those sales for several years.

 

[XLRATING]

I absolutely agree the XLR was overpriced - & it just made it more glaring when it frequently ended up being compared to a Corvette. Once people hear the horsepower difference alone I still get the question "why would you want a XLR instead of a Corvette?" Of course there's way more to it than horsepower ... but most aren't going to understand paying more to get less in that department.

Likewise most of the current Cadillac line up seems overpriced for whose going to be buying them. At least for the 3d generation CTS's I've looked at, they really take a nose dive in value on the used car market. Not to mention they've had a tough time moving the new ones.

The Buick Cascada does make it interesting as to whether Cadillac might come out with some form of convertible, as now Cadillac is the only GM brand that doesn't have a convertible in its line up.

 

[cubby558]

The only 'premium' was on the Nieman-Marcus edition in the 2004 model, that sold out in minutes in their holiday catalog in December 2003. There were a lot of XLR's that were leased rather than purchased outright. I would guess most sales were at MSRP with no discounts.

Kinda on the same subject. I'm curious if Cadillac dealers added an extra "premium" charge to the new XLR when it originally came out in 2003 like the Ford dealers did to the retro T-Birds. In the case of the T Birds, this only served to sour the potential buyers and affected those sales for several years.

 

[cubby558]

Convertible

My guess on a Cadillac offering a convertible, won't be offering another 'halo' XLR type car, but rather an ATS and/or CTS convertible to compete with BMW and Mercedes. If they don't go that direction, they will never be a viable competitor to either one, as they are targeting sales for the younger buyers currently going for the 3 and 5 series BMW and the C class Mercedes.

 

[ccclarke]

The only 'premium' was on the Nieman-Marcus edition in the 2004 model, that sold out in minutes in their holiday catalog in December 2003. There were a lot of XLR's that were leased rather than purchased outright. I would guess most sales were at MSRP with no discounts.

Correct - The (99) $85,000 "Ultra-violet" Nieman-Marcus XLR holds the record for the fastest-selling item ever placed in their catalog.

Interesting. . . I've never heard of a leased XLR, and don't recall any leasers ever posting on any of the XLR forums. How many were there?

CC

 

[rexster314]

The only 'premium' was on the Nieman-Marcus edition in the 2004 model, that sold out in minutes in their holiday catalog in December 2003. There were a lot of XLR's that were leased rather than purchased outright. I would guess most sales were at MSRP with no discounts.

Most Ford dealers were adding on their own premiums on top of MSRP upwards of 10,000$ just cause they could. A 39000$ car was all of a sudden 50000$. The TBird was projected for a 5-6 year run to begin with, something I feel that Cadillac did the same thing. Talk about a cheap interior!

 

[XLRATING]

I've often wondered if GM ever intended from the beginning for the XLR to be in production any longer than it was, or just use it as a tester for upgrading the Corvette etc. So if it sold well, great, if not then use the technology on other cars. Financially that may not seem to make sense, but sometimes a set amount of funds can get dedicated in strange ways (and after all, that was the pre-bankruptcy not-so-"old GM").

 

[onalaska]

From what I can tell Cadillac never did much to advertise the XLR. I only found out about it when I went to a dealer to look at the CTS-V and they had a XLR on the showroom floor. The dealer just laughed when I told them I wanted to test drive a CTS-V with the six speed manual. They said they never considered ordering one because a Cadillac with a manual would never sell. I bought my XLR when it came off lease and was for sale at a local Cadillac dealer. They had a number of them for sale at the time.

 

[cubby558]

Every Mary Kay pink XLR was a lease. After the end of the lease, they were to be returned to Cadillac to remove the Mary Kay pink paint. However after the demise of the XLR, there were still some MK cars out there and Cadillac didn't take them back to re-paint them. Probably didn't want the expense of re-doing them. I know of one in my area that the rep bought the car after the lease and it is still pink. The 06 V I owe was a lease and went back to the dealer when ended, They sent it to the GM auction and that is when my dealer bought it for me.

. . . I've never heard of a leased XLR, and don't recall any leasers ever posting on any of the XLR forums. How many were there?

CC

 

[ChicagoDave]

Correct - The (99) $85,000 "Ultra-violet" Nieman-Marcus XLR holds the record for the fastest-selling item ever placed in their catalog.

CC

It held the record for a while ... until 2010 Camaro

The most vehicles ever moved in the shortest time happened in 2010. Chevrolet had just released the Camaro, and while they are commonplace today– the Camaro had grown men weeping when it debuted the Detroit auto show.

Chevy allotted 100 examples of the Camaro Convertible to Neiman Marcus, at a price of $75,000 each, and they were gone in three minutes.

 

[pure zen]

Bowling Green Plant,,,,,

In defense of the XLR's higher cost than a Corvette,,,,,you'll have to remember the XLR was 'hand assembled' in a couple of small, closed off rooms at BG until finished. As opposed to faster pace assembly line running full bore in a huge area, building several hundred cars per day. We have both a '05 Vette and '05 XLR,,,and with the added amenities and hydraulics in the XLR, one can see and feel the difference. jmo

 

[ccclarke]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but these are nothing more than pretty pictures of a hypothetical line of Cadillacs;-- not just an updated XLR. --And not from GM.

As such, these don't even rate a 1 on the rumor scale.

The chances of a roadster from Cadillac are less than slim for the foreseeable future. The next halo car will likely be the CT8.

All rumor-mongering aside, while it's fun to speculate, Cadillac has it's hands full with new models as it transitions to a Euro-competitive, alphabet-soup naming convention stable of vehicles to fill the various niches of the global market.

--China being the new focus to establishing brand recognition as the Europeans did in the US, twenty-plus years ago (to great effect.)


CC