The Cadillac XLR Was An Epic Failure For General Motors

[@ryanmrh4006]

I had an uncle that was a GM mechanic, at Cadillac, when these came out. He was frequently allowed to use dealership cars for overnights, the XLR and the CTSV were cars I was fortunate to ride in. They helped set me into my love of cars. Anyway, another quality video!

[@MotorMaster_Stunticon]

Thanks. Never rode in an CTS-V, but I can say the XLR was/is definitely cool even if it didn’t sell as well as they wanted.

[@garlantyrell8030]

They were beautiful but honestly I liked the Cadillac Allante better from years before this car.

[@Sweetwater20120]

These cars were beautiful and a perfect alternative to a vette

[@MotorMaster_Stunticon]

Yes, the XLR’s design still stands out by today’s standards.

[@Romiman1]

The last time, when Cadillac had an overall attractive style and line-up. (Went down with the unproportioned XTS.)

[@OLDS98]

Interesting video. The XLR was a replacement for the Allante'. Cadillac/GM wanted to try a luxury roadster again. This time it was rear drive and was different. It did not succeed as you said. Had GM/Cadillac upped the quality game it may have been different. Who knows. Using the Northstar did not help, but I think they had worked out the bugs by that time. The CTS was a replacement for the Catera. GM wanted Cadillac to beat the European and Japanese luxury models. They tried. They got Escalade and CTS right. CTS is now CT5 in 2024.

[@MotorMaster_Stunticon]

Do you think they should’ve capitalized on the nostalgia by naming the XLR the Allante? Or do you think it was a better decision to go with the XLR name. I think it was neat how the CTS was a successor to the Catera, so they named it “Catera Touring Sedan” as a nod to the Catera.

[@OLDS98]

@@MotorMaster_Stunticon I do not know, but the Allante' name my have worked, but it failed too. Cadillac was big on alpha numeric names at the same. That in itself was an issue as well. They eased right into the CTS from Catera. Some say CTS stood for Catera Touring Sedan. That may be true. The Allante' just said some in the right way, but it was the execution of the car that was the issue. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5jLgJ1saqige6M and kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5arkpWmed-Dpqc and kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn_Jp3ujf66XeM0

[@phantom0456]

The main problem with Cadillac using the Northstar was not that it had reliability issues by this point, but rather that it was so much less powerful than the LS2/LS3 that the contemporary Corvette had, in addition to the XLR being far more expensive than the Vette and it also being widely known that the XLR was based upon the Vette’s Y-body platform.

[@OLDS98]

@@phantom0456 Thank you for your response. They could have used the Corvette V8 because the CTS at the time did. Everyone know it was using the Corvette platform. Cost was indeed a factor.

[@RageousMode]

The unscripted commentary was fine, but the non-specific mention of a strange drink was unacceptable. Additional note about this car - its primary designer went on to lead the C6 Corvette design.

[@MotorMaster_Stunticon]

Haha! I actually saw an XLR in a parking lot, so that’s what inspired this video. Thanks for pointing that out about the C6 Corvette.

[@KtothG]

NorthStar engines are hot garbage 🗑

[@MikeGrant-q7b]

Great car when it works right but over engineered

[@jlcii]

I always liked these cars and thought they were good looking. But let's keep it a buck, the reason why these didn't sell was due to badge snobbery. They weren't a Mercedes, and too many people saw it as a gussied up Chevy because they were made by general motors. It's amazing how European auto makers can make complete and utter trash cars, but because of the prestige associated with their history, they still sell at $100,000

[@Biden-SUCKS548]

I love my 07 XLR!

[@GreenHawkDrive]

Viper was so much better

[@spencerolson1532]

Awesome video rob

[@MotorMaster_Stunticon]

Thanks bro. Thanks for watching.