2005 Cadillac XLR

Description

When Cadillac got serious about their image, they knew that a 2-seat luxury/sport convertible was the way to go. The Allante was a valiant first effort, but this 2005 Cadillac XLR was really the pinnacle of the breed's evolution. Far more than just a "Cadillac Corvette," it features a sophisticated 32-valve 4.6L Northstar V8 powerplant, gorgeous "New Edge" styling and plenty of performance matched by loads of opulent American luxury.

The brilliant Crimson Pearl Red paint job was one of Cadillac's signature colors, and nowhere does it look better than on the low, sleek, angular XLR. This particular XLR shows just 21,673 original miles, and it's obviously been properly maintained and never used for the daily commute. As a result, the finish is bright, clear, and in excellent overall condition with very, very few signs of use. The low chin spoiler hasn't been bashed by curbs and driveways, the rockers show very little abrasion from tire debris, and thanks to the low shape, rock chips are virtually non-existent. The styling has aged rather well, and this is a very distinctive car from any angle, looking best from the rear ¾ view where you can really see the wedge-shaped bodywork. Fit and finish are what you'd expect from a car that cost more than $80,000 when it was new, with excellent gaps and a deep shine to the paint that's better than most GM cars, even today. And there's just enough chrome to remind you it's a Cadillac, and that means something.

The tan leather interior was as luxurious as Cadillac could make it, and even at a glance it's easy to see the many improvements over its cousin, the Corvette. The leather is soft and supple, and even the driver's seat shows almost no wear. Plush carpets, real Zebrano eucalyptus wood on the dash, and neat little details like the flip-open map pockets in the doors and pseudo roll hoops behind the seats make it feel special inside. Everything was standard, of course, including the motorized touch-screen NAV/entertainment system that powers out of the way to offers access to the DVD system. The seats are power operated, heated, and have several memory settings, and even the steering wheel has an electronic tilt set-up, so there's a comfortable position to be had for all. Pushbutton starting is included, and while that's pretty common today, in 2005 it was pretty exciting stuff. Gauges are simple and elegant, the A/C is powerful, and you could probably sell tickets to watch the motorized hardtop fold itself into the trunk. And speaking of the trunk, there's decent space when the retractable hardtop is up and better than expected capacity when the trunk is down, so don't be afraid to plan that road trip in this car.

Cadillac's 4.6 liter DOHC 32-valve "Northstar" V8 was retooled to fit in a rear-wheel-drive application and it's got an entirely different personality from the Corvette's pushrod V8 with 320 horses. Smooth and silky, with the most scintillating exhaust note this side of Milan, Italy, it's the right choice in a high-end convertible like this. There's plenty of power at any speed, although the 5-speed automatic transmission always seems to keep it right at its torque peak so it's ready when you dip into the throttle. It hides under a big plastic shroud, so there's not much to see under the hood, but it's well maintained and runs beautifully, and these are well-regarded as durable engines if they're maintained properly. Underneath, it benefits from the Corvette's transverse leaf spring suspension and giant disc brakes, plus the center-outlet dual exhaust system that just looks cool. Big 18-inch alloy wheels with grippy Bridgestone tires really make it pop and offer plenty of comfort and great handling.

A very cool piece of Cadillac hardware, this unusual XLR still stands out in a crowd. There are plenty of convertibles out there, but this one offers big performance with a uniquely American flavor. Call today!