I’m a Corvette guy but I love the look of the XLR. It’s like a more luxurious Corvette. The interior is especially nice. Thank you for pointing out what other reviewers miss, that by the time the XLR was in production, the main issues of the Northstar V8 had been fixed. The engines in the XLR aren’t blowing head gaskets and the blocks aren’t cracking. Simply put, it’s a beautiful car with sport performance!
That is good news, I have had my eye on the XLRV but was turned off when I learned it was a Northstar engine and not a Corvette engine! I like the practical aspect of the car and the interior is nicer than the Vette.
Good job. You didn't make a single mistake. I just bought an XLR. I drove it last weekend but won't go back and pick it up until the 30th, since it's 2 states away. I got a 2007, which is the first year it came with a 6spd (although the 'V' always did). I also bought a rare (for 2007) PLATINUM Series, which wasn't produced in number until 2008, and in 2009 became 'a requirement', as it came on every car made. I've never driven a 'V', but it didn't come in any of the colors I wanted anyway. Compared to a Chrysler Crossfire Roadster I own the XLR has a much more comfortable ride and is wider and larger in all dimensions except perhaps for headroom.
Thanks for your view review it gave me the confidence to purchase a 2006 XLR. Drove from Vegas to California over the weekend and it performed fantastic. Car looks great and always get great comments on it. Thanks again for your review.
I have an 05, silver with black interior. My x decided to run over the left fender with our Hummer so I upgraded the whole front to an 09 v series, including the hood. Painted a black stripe on the hood and added 20 inch wheels. Turns heads everywhere you go. Just such a rare car. People leave notes on it trying to get me to sell. It's hilarious BUT...... Some 05s still had the hard light crazing issue so if you buy one......I would strongly suggest getting the resistor installed so you don't end up with a 5 or $6,000.00 dollar bill trying to fix burned lights. It's crazy
Above the Vertical Storage compartment is a small nacell that houses warning lights for rear proximity from bumper sensors. I installed a rear anti-sway bar on my 2008.
Great video! Very informative. I’m considering buying an 06 XLR with 40k miles. I’ve got a great mechanic but am very nervous about parts being hard to find and really expensive when maintenance is needed due to limited vehicle production run. What are your thoughts? Is this a dealbreaker?
Your concerns are valid. It’s a bit of a crapshoot. I got a feeling if something goes wrong with the top it’s gonna be pricey. 40k is pretty low mileage. If the maintenance has been done and the mechanic says it looks good and the carfax is good I’d go for it. Just make sure you keep some money in the side for repairs. As they say you only live once.
My concern with this car is with the power top. It seems so complicated that I am concerned with it's reliability. I would like to hear from it's owners about their experience regarding it's reliability.
I agree 100%. The owner of this car hasn’t had any issues, but I’ve heard of people who’ve had problems and it’s costly to repair and parts are only going to get harder to find.
It’s a nightmare Between 2006 and 2016 My 2004 XLR was in service at least once every two or three months. The top was especially problematic. Best decision that I ever made was to buy the Cadillac extended warranty and they even offered a second extension which I think was about 5 grand. It easily had maybe 50k in parts and labor. The top, transmission was rebuilt or replaced, the steering wheel was replaced. It’s a gorgeous car. Nothing like it. Turns heads everywhere. Had it in black on black with the factory gold package. It was a great run, but I don’t think I’d ever want to get back together with one. Maybe the later models worked out better. Don’t forget, at least with the early models, once the light assemblies go, they go. Its not designed the have the bulb replaced. The whole housing and assembly gets replaced. Stock up on those if you plan to keep it. It’s not a car to own out of warranty unless you’re a highly qualified mechanic.
I want to buy this car, but I am afraid of the retractable roof because they say it is complicated and the cost of repair is very high. I also want to ask about the effectiveness of the air conditioner. Is it good in summer? I want to use the car on a daily basis to go to work.
The AC worked fine and the car is very comfortable for daily use, but I do think the roof would be expensive to fix if it breaks. Might be a good idea to talk to a mechanic if you know one. Thanks for checking out the video. 👍
'06 owner here. I normally only keep my toy cars for a couple of years, but my XLR is going on 11 years now; i just love this car. The top is really the only significant problem I've had in all the time I've owned it; had to replace the hydraulic pump in the trunk. There's a German guy in WA that sells rebuilt ones and takes your core in trade. The pump was $1200, and I paid a local mechanic $250 to replace it. That was about five years ago - no problems since.
thank you for video it very helpful and it rear car i belive not much people intrested but im now in the midle of SL and XK and i find very nice XLR with low km and funy price for condition and that kind of the car and your video is one more yes in the list why i shud buy
Just bought a 09 Shiny Black it’s in excellent condition , only 91k Fixing to go out and do a Massave burn out in front of my neighbors house. Probably put 50k on it and double my money. Haha
Just buy a C5/C6 convertible. XLR is slower, heavier, less cargo space, hard top problems, possible Northstar problems, less parts availability, less aftermarket, less community behind it, etc. To me this was GM trying to be “fancy” and it didn’t work and was another decision that probably moved them one step closer to bankruptcy. Was there really that many potential buyers of Corvette convertibles that thought it just wasn’t fancy enough? Cadillac types to me would want more of an Eldorado type convertible vs a 2 seater Corvette type. Kinda confusing.
You might be a bit tight with the top up. I’d take one for a lengthy ride with both the top up and down to see how you like it. I had no problem, but I’m only 5’10. Thanks for checking out the video.
According to the dictionary “a machine, especially one powered by electricity or internal combustion, that supplies motive power for a vehicle or for some other device with moving parts.” ?
What's the point, Of trying to review a neighbors car. Reading the owners manual, Is all your reviewing. Tell me about the ssv system on this car. Your the expert apparently
I’m a Corvette guy but I love the look of the XLR. It’s like a more luxurious Corvette. The interior is especially nice.
Thank you for pointing out what other reviewers miss, that by the time the XLR was in production, the main issues of the Northstar V8 had been fixed. The engines in the XLR aren’t blowing head gaskets and the blocks aren’t cracking.
Simply put, it’s a beautiful car with sport performance!
Thanks for the feedback. I really enjoyed reviewing this car. 👍
That is good news, I have had my eye on the XLRV but was turned off when I learned it was a Northstar engine and not a Corvette engine! I like the practical aspect of the car and the interior is nicer than the Vette.
Good job. You didn't make a single mistake. I just bought an XLR. I drove it last weekend but won't go back and pick it up until the 30th, since it's 2 states away. I got a 2007, which is the first year it came with a 6spd (although the 'V' always did). I also bought a rare (for 2007) PLATINUM Series, which wasn't produced in number until 2008, and in 2009 became 'a requirement', as it came on every car made. I've never driven a 'V', but it didn't come in any of the colors I wanted anyway. Compared to a Chrysler Crossfire Roadster I own the XLR has a much more comfortable ride and is wider and larger in all dimensions except perhaps for headroom.
Glad you enjoyed the video. You’ve got yourself one really nice car. Enjoy. 👍
Thanks for your view review it gave me the confidence to purchase a 2006 XLR. Drove from Vegas to California over the weekend and it performed fantastic. Car looks great and always get great comments on it. Thanks again for your review.
Thanks for the kind words Jerry. Enjoy your XLR.
Do you still keep your? Is it reliable? Thank you very much.
2 years later how’s it treating you? Considering looking at one my self
I have an 05, silver with black interior. My x decided to run over the left fender with our Hummer so I upgraded the whole front to an 09 v series, including the hood. Painted a black stripe on the hood and added 20 inch wheels. Turns heads everywhere you go. Just such a rare car. People leave notes on it trying to get me to sell. It's hilarious BUT......
Some 05s still had the hard light crazing issue so if you buy one......I would strongly suggest getting the resistor installed so you don't end up with a 5 or $6,000.00 dollar bill trying to fix burned lights. It's crazy
Thanks for the info. Btw your car sounds really nice.
Super informative! Keep coming out with these please!
Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the video. 👍
Cars never break down 👌👌👌
Thamk you for the comprehensive review. It just makes me want to own one all the more :)
Glad you enjoyed the video Michael. 👍
Absolutely fantastic! Thank you for being straightforward and factual.
Thanks for the feedback and for checking out the video. 👍
I just can't accept the fact Cadillac doesn't have a convertible today. 😢
Agree. They need to get one in the lineup.
Above the Vertical Storage compartment is a small nacell that houses warning lights for rear proximity from bumper sensors. I installed a rear anti-sway bar on my 2008.
Cool. Thanks for the feedback.
Great video! Very informative. I’m considering buying an 06 XLR with 40k miles. I’ve got a great mechanic but am very nervous about parts being hard to find and really expensive when maintenance is needed due to limited vehicle production run. What are your thoughts? Is this a dealbreaker?
Your concerns are valid. It’s a bit of a crapshoot. I got a feeling if something goes wrong with the top it’s gonna be pricey. 40k is pretty low mileage. If the maintenance has been done and the mechanic says it looks good and the carfax is good I’d go for it. Just make sure you keep some money in the side for repairs. As they say you only live once.
My concern with this car is with the power top. It seems so complicated that I am concerned with it's reliability. I would like to hear from it's owners about their experience regarding it's reliability.
I agree 100%. The owner of this car hasn’t had any issues, but I’ve heard of people who’ve had problems and it’s costly to repair and parts are only going to get harder to find.
It’s a nightmare
Between 2006 and 2016
My 2004 XLR was in service at least once every two or three months. The top was especially problematic. Best decision that I ever made was to buy the Cadillac extended warranty and they even offered a second extension which I think was about 5 grand. It easily had maybe 50k in parts and labor. The top, transmission was rebuilt or replaced, the steering wheel was replaced. It’s a gorgeous car. Nothing like it. Turns heads everywhere. Had it in black on black with the factory gold package. It was a great run, but I don’t think I’d ever want to get back together with one. Maybe the later models worked out better. Don’t forget, at least with the early models, once the light assemblies go, they go. Its not designed the have the bulb replaced. The whole housing and assembly gets replaced. Stock up on those if you plan to keep it. It’s not a car to own out of warranty unless you’re a highly qualified mechanic.
Look at Top Hydraulics. It's really not that complicated.
Soon....my precious will come to me!!!!
Best of luck. 👍
just bought 06 xlr it fun to drive
Glad you’re enjoying your new ride.
I know I’ve seen this car around. Not sure what town, but I know I’ve seen those plates before (also being in Ontario lol)
I want to buy this car, but I am afraid of the retractable roof because they say it is complicated and the cost of repair is very high. I also want to ask about the effectiveness of the air conditioner. Is it good in summer? I want to use the car on a daily basis to go to work.
The AC worked fine and the car is very comfortable for daily use, but I do think the roof would be expensive to fix if it breaks. Might be a good idea to talk to a mechanic if you know one. Thanks for checking out the video. 👍
'06 owner here. I normally only keep my toy cars for a couple of years, but my XLR is going on 11 years now; i just love this car. The top is really the only significant problem I've had in all the time I've owned it; had to replace the hydraulic pump in the trunk. There's a German guy in WA that sells rebuilt ones and takes your core in trade. The pump was $1200, and I paid a local mechanic $250 to replace it. That was about five years ago - no problems since.
@@daveanderson6248 thanks for sharing. Great feedback 👍
I love the car want to get one.
Thanks for checking out the video. Hope you can find a nice one. 👍
Awesome video, great car
Thanks for the kind words. Appreciate your feedback. 👍
thank you for video it very helpful and it rear car i belive not much people intrested but im now in the midle of SL and XK and i find very nice XLR with low km and funy price for condition and that kind of the car and your video is one more yes in the list why i shud buy
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the kind words. 👍
Wouldn't this be an XLRV? I say this because of the grille
This one was just the XLR. The V has a different engine with a lot more power and several other upgrades. Thanks for checking out the video.
Just bought a 09 Shiny Black it’s in excellent condition , only 91k Fixing to go out and do a Massave burn out in front of my neighbors house. Probably put 50k on it and double my money. Haha
That’s awesome. Enjoy. 👍
Sweet looking car.
It's Gm which usually means the reliability is shat though.
Thanks for checking out the video. GM quality definitely has had its ups and downs.
@@georgeoncars663
Ya i don't buy american anymore but do like some of the styling.
XLR type V not just any XLR
Good review, but 1 criticism, show the dash and look forward in the drive not have the camera on you. I am buying one of these soon.
Thanks for the feedback. Appreciated.
Just buy a C5/C6 convertible. XLR is slower, heavier, less cargo space, hard top problems, possible Northstar problems, less parts availability, less aftermarket, less community behind it, etc.
To me this was GM trying to be “fancy” and it didn’t work and was another decision that probably moved them one step closer to bankruptcy.
Was there really that many potential buyers of Corvette convertibles that thought it just wasn’t fancy enough? Cadillac types to me would want more of an Eldorado type convertible vs a 2 seater Corvette type. Kinda confusing.
Good points. 👍
I was just looking into buying one. I'm 6'5 do you think I would fit comfortably in this?
You might be a bit tight with the top up. I’d take one for a lengthy ride with both the top up and down to see how you like it. I had no problem, but I’m only 5’10. Thanks for checking out the video.
That dash looks like they used the old leftovers from the S10...🤯
Lol.
Cant stand Dug so, thanks !
Thanks for checking out the video. 👍
Doug didn't even do the a Mercedes SL550, the XLR's direct competition. I think he's dumb to the fact of hardtop convertible superiority.
I love the hard top convertibles. The new Corvette is particularly nice. Thanks for checking out the video.
Please don't call Engines Motors.
According to the dictionary “a machine, especially one powered by electricity or internal combustion, that supplies motive power for a vehicle or for some other device with moving parts.” ?
What's the point, Of trying to review a neighbors car. Reading the owners manual, Is all your reviewing. Tell me about the ssv system on this car. Your the expert apparently
Lol.