[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)

[rmackintosh]

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)

Tell you what....I'LD BUY THAT DAMN CAR!!!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I loved it...only complaint I had was the HUD....hated it....dialed it out of my view...maybe if you get used to it.....

As for price......I think they are going for the little Mercedes hot rod $80,000 thingy....don't like Mercedes, so I don't know the name of it....although that IS one Mercedes I would "allow" in my garage! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Yeah, the price is kinda high I think...but I don't know all the technology in it off the top of my head. I think it would NOT embarrass itself against the Mercedes though.....in fact PERSONALLY, I'ld go for the Caddy over the Mercy! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Don't think saying it is NOT what you could get for the same price in a Viper is even close to fair.....WAY DIFFERENT CUSTOMERS and MARKETS. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Don't think $60,000 is gonna work, cause they have other offerings in that range that the XLR is supposed to "be better than"....so the $76,000 base is probably not far off looking at it that way....

I am actually one who LIKES (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) the new Caddy's for the most part--I own one (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ....I know, I know..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) ....I also like the new Magnum and other new Dodge products too...again two different markets for two different folks....room for both I am sure!

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