[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]

I am a coneisuer (sp?) of cars....not a "it MUST be U.S. built or I will die" kinda guy....when I was younger, I would buy a new car EVERY 11/2 - 2 years....just saw something better and "HAD to have it"....had EVERYTHING from Honda to Ford and in between....these day, I can't afford that any more with the family and racing and all.....but I play no REAL favorites...i.e. I am a "Chevy guy" but when I needed a MULTI-PURPOSE small v-8 tow vehicle that my wife could daily drive to work....she WOULD NOT go for the Tahoe or whatever...I had been badmouthing Ford for years on principle alone... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ...and had just recently bashed a friend for buying an Explorer....but I went out and tested them all....the v-8 Explorer (AT THAT TIME) was far and away the best one....so I bought it...had to swallow a lot of pride in the comments I made, but I am ALWAYS one to look objectively when my $$$ are on the line...

THAT said...YOU CAN KEEP THE BMW's OF THE WORLD...I thought they were overpriced cars before I bought them....and after owning one I NOW THINK they are overpriced and UNRELIABLE cars....

Let them design and perfect the technology and use it on RICH people who can AFFORD to fix it every other day when it breaks....uh uh.....I will think twice before going for all the bling bling of that kinda car again....