[rmackintosh]

I just got back from driving a Cadillac XLR with 600 miles on it.....the owner was my dad's neighbor....and was watching us set up my dad's new motorhome today to go to the races next week....he drives up in the thing I tell him "SWEET RIDE!" and he says...."Hey, go ahead and take it out! Take it for as long as you like!" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

Well my wife is there with my daughter and 12 week old son, so I say to her..."....give the kids to grandma, lets GO!"

That car was NICE.......the interior was WAY nicer than I had thought it would have....very German car quality and finish.....leather seats that were firm and supportive but NOT uncomfortable like some....the suspension....VERY FIRM yet still smooth and luxury like...not great tires on it, but still a GREAT compromise for sport/luxury....the motor....Northstar....was peppy, more than I expect from a Caddy, but not Vette like either....

All in all a SWEET car! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Now if I could ONLY find $80,000 lying around..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[94bird]

Hey, I did the piston and rings for that engine and the FWD version while I was at Federal-Mogul. Also did one of the proof of concept versions for the 4.2L supercharged N* (over 400 HP) that may be coming out in the STS soon.

Do you think $80K is the right price for the XLR? It seems high to me for what you get. We were discussing this car about a week ago at work. Heck, for the same price you can get a new Viper. Different target markets obviously, but I think in the $60K range would have been a better target for Cadillac for the XLR.

Cadillac (CTS, STS) is definitely one of our competitors for our new car that will be introduced very soon now. Unless we hit a hiccup before launch we're going to wipe the floor with 'em. With all the trips I'm making to Mexico this year we better not hit any hiccups. I doubt you'll see any of our cars in the World Challenge though. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)