[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]

Which Caddy do you own?

Yeh, I know a comparison to a Viper is a completely unfair one, but $80K for a Cadillac? Heck, this N* engine is just too much like what's in the lower market Caddys to help make it exclusive enough to justify such a higher price.

I'm thinking you mean this Mercedes as the competition to the XLR? http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/...odelCode=SL500R . I say more power to Caddy if they want to truly compete with Mercedes. Goodness knows Chrysler won't anymore. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

However, surely you have to like AMG when they have such a cool web site intro page? http://www.mercedes-benz.com/omb/amg/index_start.htm . I see SRT beginning to follow AMG's model in becoming a tuner car organization. Start with a basic Chrysler and do a Tuner Transformation. Kind of like the CTS-V concept also. It shortens the lead time and cost dramatically. Now, give me a tuner transformation of the XLR with a little over 400 HP for $80K and we're in business.