Hate to be a buzzkill, but the new car buying public (of which I'm not a part of) seems to only want CUV blobs or pickups. It would be a neat thing, but I bet it'd flop even harder in the the current marketplace than the XLR did two decades ago. Give it a couple more years, and we'll probably reach levity on the propulsion technology front, which will be half the battle... some makers are still beating the electric horse despite it being slumped over preparing for thermal runaway.
Wouldn't make sense with the other models- the northstar was created to compete with european DOHC v8s, the LS pushrod design is too 'barbaric' for a luxury car in this segment
@@Amplar2 That is correct. It was planned. I have two, and there is plenty of power in both. By the way, I don't have a Vette, but I respect that engine, as well.
It wouldn't have made sense using a pushrod V8 in the flagship Cadillac when they had been using DOHC V8s in most of their models for more than a decade. That would be like finding an 8-track player in your new Mercedes.
GM really spared no expense when they introduced this car to the world, they shared the Corvette chassis with other brand for the first and only time yet, but to avoid being called just a rebadged Corvette and to keep those who said that pushrods are old school, they modified the Northstar for longitudinal mounting; they outsourced the roof mechanism, something GM doesn’t like to do; the hard plastics interior that GM is known for in this era, are nowhere to be found here; they even went with advanced for the time LED taillights, that being a problem for those who buy this beauty 20 years later.
Wow total detachment from reality. This car smelled of cheap plastic and glue and trying to make a luxury roadster of of Corvette reeks of cost cutting. Where do you guys get this stuff from?
I know someone with 2 of these, both blew radiators out at 4000 mi. Of course they were out of warranty as he didn’t drive them much. Total junk, cowl shake was ridiculous, not to mention the stupid Death Star engine.
I remember reading about that! It's more expensive now. I believe the reasoning behind why it cost so much was early technology. I believe those tail lights are connected to the motherboard itself. Which is grounds for full replacement. Correct me if I'm wrong
@ found out when the car wizard said it because he has one, I thought that number was wrong, and even though I trusted he knew what he was talking about I checked for myself a cracked one is 1500 on eBay and that’s just for a cracked tail light
It was also in Test Drive: Unlimited 1. You could also customize the rims,car and interior color and upgrade the performance at specialized tuner shop .This kinda suits the Hawaiian vibe.
Beautiful cars, but these have a critical flaw where the tail lights fail, and since they are computer controlled without a way to wire them without BCM signals, and are no longer made, used replacements sell for well over $1500 or so. ouch!
For the life of me, I don't understand why Cadillac didn't build off of the first-gen XLR. Sure, it didn't have the quality of the SL and Lexus SC of the time, but Caddy could've refined the car with successive versions. It was such an amazingly styled car. I wish Caddy would've used the LS V8-power over the Northstar, but the very rare XLR-V was a beast!😢
The world has become SUV happy. And SUVs are much more profitable. This baby would have evolved into something special indeed, especially in V or blackwing form.
@@Len1977gtIn performance it may be better than Lexus, but Mercedes is much better than Cadillac in performance at that time and now, in quality Lexus and Mercedes are superior, in reliability Lexus is in another league
The quality of this Caddy was definitely better especially than Mercedes. The build quality of those 2000s Mercedes was seriously lacking. Rust problems, cheaply made interiors, lots of reliability issues...
I don’t understand this. So you know the car is low quality and you want them to build off of that? That is exactly why so many of GM’s products failed back then. You don’t see that? They introduce a half assed car then try to refine it while sales dry up due to it being junk. The same thing happened to the Allante before it. Build a better car the start. Your question answers itself.
My neighbor bought one of these new when they came out. I think it was red or silver. I miss the design language of this era. Cadillac's today look so meh. Also push-button start was like alien technology back then. This car has aged really well.
@@aaryeshg.6526 I currently have a 2000 Toyota MR2 in red. It is in great shape and drives so well, but there is no luggage space in it. I would love to have a convertible I could travel in.
@@tkewrestler2662 damn...are you planning to get something else? Something with more space? I'm hoping to get a grand tourer next year - I'm leaning towards the Jag xk but I'm open to other cars.
What really killed this was the price. 76k was way out of pocket espically when it didn't even come with the LS2. Corvette for 44k starting price made WAY more sense to buy at the time
Nice car. I feel like Caddy would’ve done better building a RWD 5- seat convertible. It would’ve been easier to sell to younger people. Something more like an S-Class or E-Class coupe rather than a roadster.
Okay so I'm not imagining things... Early GM nav systems could play DVDs while in park... Something my very young, early elementary age brain found genuinely fascinating...
Ah the XLR. Proof of the GM form OVER function motto. The XLR-V was the same price as a ZR-1 Corvette, but was slower than a base Corvette. Also WHEN the folding top drains fail they fill the left corner of the trunk, which houses the $4000 hydraulic mechanism for the top.
While I don't like convertibles, The only one I would ever look at purchasing is the 3000GT VR4 Spyder. Which funnily enough has the same HP rating as this Cadillac, albeit a quicker 0-60(yes due to the AWD and forced induced engine).
Sad that an LS2 would have lowered the nose weight by another 100lbs. A 6 speed transaxle would have dropped another 100lbs. How did this not receive the 6 speed automatic from the C6?
Well Northstar actually not that bad it's not leaking from everywhere like casual BMW's but the bolts hold the head gaskets are weak it's why they blow if you find a after market tougher versions it's turn into just a double head cam LS GM almost make great V8 but they make one mistake mostly that's all similar for Buick 3800 and plastic cooling fluid pipe if you swap them with stell one's there's will be no problem
@@ozgurmehmet4258What a really ridiculous post that undermines itself. Nothing but excuses and an admission of piss poor quality while trying to point the finger at another brand.
This is a big problem for Cadillac! Because if it’s on a Corvette chassis, then it should have the same 5.7 or 5.9 v8 from the Corvette instead of a Northstar v8 from a sedan!
I remember this car coming out when I was in high school. I thought it looked cool, but the price was laughable. Could just got with a CTS-V that would outperform it by a longshot for a lot less money.
The SL has a button in the trunk to raise the top out of the way when it’s stored in the trunk… once again you pay for the engineering when it comes to German vehicles. Awesome caddy tho
They really lied out their ass "Based on the forthcoming c6 platform" This was a parts bin special to get the most out of the C5 chassis. Was NOT based on the C6 AT ALL. The Northstar makes this an automatic DO NOT BUY
I remember going to a career fair and talking with the GM rep back in the early 2000s, and referring to the XLR as a luxury corvette. He didn't really appreciate me referring to it as such...and needless to say I didn't get any offers from GM.
I remember driving these in the mid 2000s, when I worked at a GM dealer. Nice car but very uninspired. The Corvette made more sense, that Northstar V8 is a joke.
They looked cool but were overpriced. Lacked the quality of its German competition. You could get a brand new BMW 645ci at the time for almost 10k less, and it felt like it was in a whole different league than the Caddy.
You could buy this or a benchmark luxo droptop SL500 for only $10k more. It's no wonder that seeing an XLR back then was a very rare sight. Smart money went with the MB.
Ohh and "graceful speed"? Even for 2004, 0-60 in 6.5 is NOTHING to praise ESPECIALLY for an engine that size. I think my 2009 Hyundai Sonata with a 2.4 4 banger can do that! WHAT a DISGRACE!
The Art & Science design language has aged like milk. You can buy base XLR today with low miles for about $15k to $18k, V cars just a bit more. That's about $10k too much IMO. Watch out for that notorious Northstar and horrible period GM electronics.
@eight-cloudspurple5871 Oh I don't disagree. I never understood why the Caddy got an inferior engine, but cost $30K more. The LS2 is still regarded as PEAK GM for the blend of refinement, power, economy, and reliability.
I've always liked how these look. The design language is nice, and the whole car is well proportioned.
The fact that Caddilac is STILL using that design language to this day, shows that it's timeless, hell the 2003 CTS STILL looks good today!
They should build a new XLR based on the C8 platform
And draw design inspiration from the Cadillac Cien concept.
I've seen some renderings on Facebook and it was jaw dropping gorgeous!!
Hate to be a buzzkill, but the new car buying public (of which I'm not a part of) seems to only want CUV blobs or pickups. It would be a neat thing, but I bet it'd flop even harder in the the current marketplace than the XLR did two decades ago. Give it a couple more years, and we'll probably reach levity on the propulsion technology front, which will be half the battle... some makers are still beating the electric horse despite it being slumped over preparing for thermal runaway.
By modern standards the XLR is low on tech in this car cannot be seen any more.@@TorCow1234
So repeat the same mistake again? Insanity.
not putting an LS in it was a crime
Was just about to write this. Made absolutely no sense not to drop the LS2 in this prior to C6.
They did it on purpose to keep the Corvette as their top sports car, though GM has Cadillac as its choice in IMSA GTP racing.
I think it was pretty the xlr had a caddy engine just like the good old days.
Wouldn't make sense with the other models- the northstar was created to compete with european DOHC v8s, the LS pushrod design is too 'barbaric' for a luxury car in this segment
@@Amplar2 That is correct. It was planned. I have two, and there is plenty of power in both. By the way, I don't have a Vette, but I respect that engine, as well.
I was born in 2004, this car is 20 years old.
Exterior AND interior aged well, this is pretty rare for cars of those eras.
It should have had the corvette engine tho.
It wouldn't have made sense using a pushrod V8 in the flagship Cadillac when they had been using DOHC V8s in most of their models for more than a decade. That would be like finding an 8-track player in your new Mercedes.
Just. No.
I can’t stand GM but I have always loved these things.
This and the C7 Corvette ZO6 are probably the closest we've ever come to making a Grand Touring car, imo.
GM does very seldomly get things really right... but when they do, they hit a home run.
I would love to own one of these 20 years later in 2024. Basically a Cadillac Corvette.
I remember these during the height of G-Unit & Rocawear era!
GM really spared no expense when they introduced this car to the world, they shared the Corvette chassis with other brand for the first and only time yet, but to avoid being called just a rebadged Corvette and to keep those who said that pushrods are old school, they modified the Northstar for longitudinal mounting; they outsourced the roof mechanism, something GM doesn’t like to do; the hard plastics interior that GM is known for in this era, are nowhere to be found here; they even went with advanced for the time LED taillights, that being a problem for those who buy this beauty 20 years later.
Wow total detachment from reality. This car smelled of cheap plastic and glue and trying to make a luxury roadster of of Corvette reeks of cost cutting. Where do you guys get this stuff from?
@@MercOne nostalgia
@@Sha-AyoDelusion.
I know someone with 2 of these, both blew radiators out at 4000 mi. Of course they were out of warranty as he didn’t drive them much. Total junk, cowl shake was ridiculous, not to mention the stupid Death Star engine.
@@johnwalters878 Tell me you know nothing about the LH2 without telling me you know nothing about the LH2.
Besides the CTS v. This XLR is my favorite rappers ride of the early 2000
Who?
@@FerRod2113r Kelly
I’ll always remember this car for it’s trunk lid that will just dump any water on it right in if opened.
Still like these cars. Caddy should do it again.
Last week I was working at a house and a lady had one of these, a tail light for one of these cars is $2000, and that’s on eBay
I remember reading about that! It's more expensive now. I believe the reasoning behind why it cost so much was early technology. I believe those tail lights are connected to the motherboard itself. Which is grounds for full replacement. Correct me if I'm wrong
@ found out when the car wizard said it because he has one, I thought that number was wrong, and even though I trusted he knew what he was talking about I checked for myself a cracked one is 1500 on eBay and that’s just for a cracked tail light
There are refurbishing services available for $600
Thats bs because you can have an entire one of these for that much money
You'd be wrong. Found a set for 600😂😂😂
The owner of a local Karate school here in Surrey, BC Canada owns one of these…
I drove this car in Driver: San Francisco
It was also in Test Drive: Unlimited 1. You could also customize the rims,car and interior color and upgrade the performance at specialized tuner shop .This kinda suits the Hawaiian vibe.
I sold these when new... they were ok, even the XLR-V was just ok. The Northstar was sluggish compared to a C5/C6.. I preferred the Allanté's looks.
MW needs to bring Jennifer back!
Always thought these should have had atleast 350hp. Rare to see them.
Jennifer! 😍
She was a real looker back in the day.
@@danv8717 i'm sorry, What??
Probably the best era of Cadillac’s design language
Allante buyers would have done well to wait 15 years.
Beautiful cars, but these have a critical flaw where the tail lights fail, and since they are computer controlled without a way to wire them without BCM signals, and are no longer made, used replacements sell for well over $1500 or so. ouch!
I’d just hack it with a pair of trailer lights.
The exterior looks like it could have been a 2013 model. Quite ahead of its time. At least with other Cadillac models
Always loved this car. Would Buy and refurbish One in a heartbeat
sweet ride for 2004
Jesus those were quite a bit slower than I had remembered. Looked cool for their time though.
The XLR-V was faster.
@@McVaiothat was supercharged model right??
@@nathanlopez5667 Yes, correct!
Thank you
Definitely not a rookie roadster. 4.2L V8 engine certainly puts it at above most roadsters from that year just based off the engine alone
@@hotdogstandman what car had the 4.2 V8? The XLR didn't have it
@ So sorry.
For the life of me, I don't understand why Cadillac didn't build off of the first-gen XLR. Sure, it didn't have the quality of the SL and Lexus SC of the time, but Caddy could've refined the car with successive versions. It was such an amazingly styled car. I wish Caddy would've used the LS V8-power over the Northstar, but the very rare XLR-V was a beast!😢
The world has become SUV happy. And SUVs are much more profitable. This baby would have evolved into something special indeed, especially in V or blackwing form.
Cadillac was better in quality and perfomance than Lexus or Mercedes
@@Len1977gtIn performance it may be better than Lexus, but Mercedes is much better than Cadillac in performance at that time and now, in quality Lexus and Mercedes are superior, in reliability Lexus is in another league
The quality of this Caddy was definitely better especially than Mercedes. The build quality of those 2000s Mercedes was seriously lacking. Rust problems, cheaply made interiors, lots of reliability issues...
I don’t understand this. So you know the car is low quality and you want them to build off of that? That is exactly why so many of GM’s products failed back then. You don’t see that? They introduce a half assed car then try to refine it while sales dry up due to it being junk. The same thing happened to the Allante before it. Build a better car the start. Your question answers itself.
My favorite Corvette.
Did you guys ever road test an XLR-V? If you did, you should retro review that one!!
My neighbor bought one of these new when they came out. I think it was red or silver. I miss the design language of this era. Cadillac's today look so meh.
Also push-button start was like alien technology back then. This car has aged really well.
I miss when people didn’t use the term design language
Same power output as my Integra Type S.
‘I want a Corvette C5 but I want to pay more go slower and not have an LS’
Regular Car Reviews XLR
spot on
Ahead of its time ❤❤❤
I still think the XLR would be a fun sunny day car.
Just get a Jaguar XK convertible either with the 4.2 or 5.0 litre V8, they are better cars
Could just get a Merc SLK 55
@@Sha-Ayo I currently have a 2000 Toyota MR2 in red. It is in great shape, but one really can’t travel in it. There is so little luggage space.
@@aaryeshg.6526 I currently have a 2000 Toyota MR2 in red. It is in great shape and drives so well, but there is no luggage space in it. I would love to have a convertible I could travel in.
@@tkewrestler2662 damn...are you planning to get something else? Something with more space? I'm hoping to get a grand tourer next year - I'm leaning towards the Jag xk but I'm open to other cars.
What really killed this was the price. 76k was way out of pocket espically when it didn't even come with the LS2. Corvette for 44k starting price made WAY more sense to buy at the time
Still a handsome looking vehicle. Perhaps the heyday era of GM design.
Nice car. I feel like Caddy would’ve done better building a RWD 5- seat convertible. It would’ve been easier to sell to younger people. Something more like an S-Class or E-Class coupe rather than a roadster.
Still looks good. 🔥
Sharp convertible, if perhaps a bit overpriced at the time. Were the issues with the Northstar resolved by this point?
Yes. These later Northstars were “bulletproof” from factory… speaking from a ‘97 Eldorado owners perspective.
Still would like to own one of those.
This car was 20 years ahead of it's time...
Like what?
@MercOne proximity key, HUD, GPS etc
@@DaniSmith_95Yeah junk on junk. No real innovation there. Other cars had these things and none it mattered enough to same the XLR.
Bring back the XLR based on the E-Ray with IMSA GTP styling influence!
I've never bothered to check. But I think aftermarket C6 suspension upgrades might've been available for this at the time. Given the common platform.
2:51 video of John Davis on screen
Crazy to think this was 20 years ago.
Okay so I'm not imagining things... Early GM nav systems could play DVDs while in park... Something my very young, early elementary age brain found genuinely fascinating...
Sophisticated Corvette.
Ah the XLR. Proof of the GM form OVER function motto. The XLR-V was the same price as a ZR-1 Corvette, but was slower than a base Corvette. Also WHEN the folding top drains fail they fill the left corner of the trunk, which houses the $4000 hydraulic mechanism for the top.
While I don't like convertibles, The only one I would ever look at purchasing is the 3000GT VR4 Spyder. Which funnily enough has the same HP rating as this Cadillac, albeit a quicker 0-60(yes due to the AWD and forced induced engine).
Always thought the XLR in the ELR were very good looking cars
This beauty made its predecessor, the Allante look plain, and it was faster, too.
❤ Toyota GR ♥️
Imagine a Cadillac based on C8 (E-ray maybe?)
Sad that an LS2 would have lowered the nose weight by another 100lbs. A 6 speed transaxle would have dropped another 100lbs. How did this not receive the 6 speed automatic from the C6?
Northstar engine had issues. The head bolts are too short for the heads. I see these for sale at most Cars and Coffee meets here in Florida
Yea I had one in a DeVille. Loved that car. They were pretty quick and smooth too.
Some of the worst engines ever.
Issue corrected by 2004
04-10 Northstars are solid though, and we're retuned to run on regular gas.
@christopherlaflam6383 also, rear wheel drive Northstar engines didn't have those issues.
2:40. "Heyyy, check it out! I just got this in the divorce." 🤣😂
That car is so quiet
It was a Corvette convertible with a much more fragile engine and bodywork that was hard to fix and after a while impossible to find parts for
Well Northstar actually not that bad it's not leaking from everywhere like casual BMW's but the bolts hold the head gaskets are weak it's why they blow if you find a after market tougher versions it's turn into just a double head cam LS
GM almost make great V8 but they make one mistake mostly that's all similar for Buick 3800 and plastic cooling fluid pipe if you swap them with stell one's there's will be no problem
@@ozgurmehmet4258What a really ridiculous post that undermines itself. Nothing but excuses and an admission of piss poor quality while trying to point the finger at another brand.
2004, wow, wow in a good and terrible way, wow $78K in 2004!!! stuff a 2014 LS v8 and now its a WOW
They wanted to keep the Corvette their top sports car. That being said, Cadillac is the face of IMSA GTP racing from GM.
This is a big problem for Cadillac! Because if it’s on a Corvette chassis, then it should have the same 5.7 or 5.9 v8 from the Corvette instead of a Northstar v8 from a sedan!
Very unimpressed the 2005 Nissan altama v6 manual could match this on the track.
The allante , was an eldorado roadster, unfortunately Cadillac XLR could've had been Corvette Z06 , but Cadillac wouldn't have it, what a dumb move.😮
did anyone else have a huge red toy version of one of these with big chrome wheels
Yep car should have come with the LS 6. 405 hp
I remember this car coming out when I was in high school. I thought it looked cool, but the price was laughable. Could just got with a CTS-V that would outperform it by a longshot for a lot less money.
Ugh not the Northstar!! I was in until you said Northstar. Lol
I never liked the batmobile turn signal drl era
XLR or the Aston Mar,. Lamborghini with the crashing bars... The Lox featuring Mariah Carey We belong together remix
I see that carry on suitcase didn’t fit 😂
The SL has a button in the trunk to raise the top out of the way when it’s stored in the trunk… once again you pay for the engineering when it comes to German vehicles. Awesome caddy tho
You Can Lick This Wood 2:26
Eucalyptus
@@tall_dude1233I don't listen to hiphop
😂No Diddy
back when Cadillac used to make convertibles, but now they don't make shit like that anymore, which is sad.
Early 2000s is really far away now
Missed the mark with the 2002 Camaro being faster and more powerful.
I love this Caddy! A Corvette in a Cadillac design! It's so perfect.
Damn girl!
They really lied out their ass
"Based on the forthcoming c6 platform"
This was a parts bin special to get the most out of the C5 chassis. Was NOT based on the C6 AT ALL. The Northstar makes this an automatic DO NOT BUY
Rookie roadster
I am beyond disappointed that Cadillac doesn’t make any type of coupe these days. I blame y’all for only buying s t u p i d crossovers 😒
I remember going to a career fair and talking with the GM rep back in the early 2000s, and referring to the XLR as a luxury corvette. He didn't really appreciate me referring to it as such...and needless to say I didn't get any offers from GM.
I remember driving these in the mid 2000s, when I worked at a GM dealer. Nice car but very uninspired. The Corvette made more sense, that Northstar V8 is a joke.
They looked cool but were overpriced. Lacked the quality of its German competition. You could get a brand new BMW 645ci at the time for almost 10k less, and it felt like it was in a whole different league than the Caddy.
Another failed caddy drop top, it was a good looking car.
They need to bring this underrated gem back. The XLR had so much potential. Imagine it mid-engined.
Whyndodnt get 2nd gen
Nobody bought the first gen
Back when the automotive industry was interesting! Now it’s nothing but big bloated SUVs 🚙!
Worse yet, crossovers.
Ford Cadillac?
You could buy this or a benchmark luxo droptop SL500 for only $10k more. It's no wonder that seeing an XLR back then was a very rare sight. Smart money went with the MB.
This looked much sharper and more modern.
lol. 6.5sec
Let’s just say this…Mercedes Benz still makes a SL. End of story. This junk was last made 2009. And it only sat on a Corvette Chasis😵💫
Ohh and "graceful speed"? Even for 2004, 0-60 in 6.5 is NOTHING to praise ESPECIALLY for an engine that size. I think my 2009 Hyundai Sonata with a 2.4 4 banger can do that! WHAT a DISGRACE!
Lost me at Northstar
Have seen a couple of these around Saskatoon, a black one this summer, nice looking retro pieces
Sad about the junky Northstar.
An LS based motor would have been so much better.
3:41 🤢🤢🤮🤮
The Art & Science design language has aged like milk. You can buy base XLR today with low miles for about $15k to $18k, V cars just a bit more. That's about $10k too much IMO. Watch out for that notorious Northstar and horrible period GM electronics.
I don't think a lot of people will agree with you. It still looks modern today.
Its a C5 but shittier.
Just get a C5. You get LS1.
*C6
@@hellkitty1014 gotta look it and yeah, xlr pretty much straddle the c5 and c6.
Get the C6. even better, LS2 engine.
@eight-cloudspurple5871 Oh I don't disagree. I never understood why the Caddy got an inferior engine, but cost $30K more. The LS2 is still regarded as PEAK GM for the blend of refinement, power, economy, and reliability.
@@hellkitty1014 LS3 is more reliable and better power
Peak boomer luxury
Nice body, awful engine.