This is Why The Cadillac XLR Worked and the Allante Didn't - Review of the 2004-2009 XLR Roadster

SOLD Though I have a soft spot for Cadillacs, and am a fan of the 1987-1993 Allante, I am more than willing to admit that car was a failure for GM, and did more to hurt the Cadillac brand than help it. While it was essentially a good idea, the execution of the Allante left quite a bit to be desired, from the engineering viewpoint all the way to pricing, marketing, and expectations. Cadillac of the 1980s was arrogant enough to think they could waltz in to the 2-door, 2-seat luxury roadster market, and dominate it with an underpowered, front drive platform of questionable build quality - never mind the ridiculous expense of shipping each unit to Italy and back as part of the build process. Whatever Cadillac and GM lost on the Allante program, they very much deserved it.
A decade after the last Allante was sold, Cadillac finally got it right. In an effort to rebuild their brand as a world class competitor, they needed a Halo Car to brign people in to the showroom, highlighting the new "art and science" approach to their styling and branding. Building a 2-seat, rear drive roadster on the already existing Corvette C6 platform was the perfect answer. The engineering and design needed to make the XLR a great car was spent in all the right places, and not on Alitalia airfare. The Corvette platform was light, rigid, beautifully balanced, and ready to roll. By taking it and making it something uniquely a Cadillac, GM built a desirable car that maintains a good reputation as reliable, well made, and dynamic to drive - all the things the Allante wasn't.
Full review and test drive by Bill.

[@BeesonsCars]

One of the most underrated car channels on KZbin.

[@vinmarz]

Awesome car. But I'm mostly here for Bill's vibe

[@RevLexus]

same here

[@Chrisc205]

Vin Mar glad I’m not alone!

[@tikibeach]

Bill is a hoot.

[@colewinkler4048]

I swear this guy needs his own reality show on A&E or Discovery.

[@MrBoomtx21]

💯

[@recl971]

Bill could review a wood chipper it just wouldn't matter,these reviews are therapy, pandemic or no pandemic

[@ricardohernandez5063]

I bet it would make it a chipper wood chipper

[@billace90]

I thought only Canadians were the chipper ones....

[@JohnnyBfromPeoria]

This guy and a wood chipper? The comments about children would be off the rails!

[@michaelbaka4777]

O M G !!! I freaking LOVE this car! If I didn't have my Merc SL500, I would have this car! Beautiful!!!! AND it has a retractable hardtop?? Where do I sign?? Even the color rocks. Thank you Bill, for showing this absolutely gorgeous vehicle. There is NO bad side!! True love, buddy............

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

"Good morning this is Bill from Auto Europa Naples" I'm making this my alarm clock

[@jameshamilton533]

V8 Gold!!! “And it’s time to wake up!!!!”

[@Muffin192213]

Bill on his boss Marty's humanity, "Just a revolting, disgusting human being" LMAO.

[@dougashby4589]

I've had my 2006 for 5 years now and absolutely love it. After having to fix a few issues soon after purchase, I've had very few problems since. The wife & I love to take it cruising to new places on long weekends. Even now I still get people asking, "I hear Cadillac is coming out with a new roadster. Is that it?" They're shocked to hear it's a 15 year old car. Yes I'm dreading having to replace a tail or head light, but refuse to live in fear. I'll cross that bridge if I ever come to it.

[@DanielBenzs65AMG]

Why what’s up with changing the lights? Huge job???? I’m interested in getting one myself

[@brianc4629]

Can't get enough of these videos.... get excited when new ones post!

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

same here! these are great entertainment!

[@alexmorangelli3319]

same here

[@billace90]

Yes. Always looking forward to these special rants and comments!

[@JohnnyBfromPeoria]

You're a fun reviewer. I have an 04 and I love it. Couple things, the front suspension also has a transverse leaf spring, not coils or coil-overs. Second, you CAN turn off Stabilitrac if you hold down the traction control "off" button for three seconds and you have the brass to drive it hard that way. I don't suggest it, as the system is quite sophisto and works well. The Michelins I put on the car have a ton of grip, but it's a big car and swinging the rear out doesn't appeal to me. When I take it on long road trips and set the (adaptive) cruise, I can pull 29 mpg at posted speed limits. Rain-sensing wipers are really cool. The transmission is slow to shift by today's or even 2004 standards. Eight quarts of oil are required on an oil change, since it was designed to be able to go something like 50 miles with no coolant. Engine looks better without the cover and mine sits outside somewhere. Headlights and taillights are really expensive, so test them before buying, as the taillights are LED and you can't just replace the bulbs or find a good one at the junkyard. The MagRide shocks cost a small fortune; it cost me over $1K to replace, which I chose over eliminating them and converting to Bilsteins with a plug-in module to fool the computer. It's just really rewarding to own and drive, a real attention-getter - people think it's new sometimes. Any people who know what it is remembers how freaking expensive they were.

[@cameron2275]

Keep these iconic videos coming Bill! You are the man, myth, and legend.

[@DJKadilac]

You would be happy to know that I own a 93 Allante and 09 XLR-V! Both jet black and both cream puffs! 😎

[@EMObeamer]

This whole time I was thinking, Black. Did you seen sons of Anarchy? I think they were sponsored by Cadillac for a while, they had a bunch including the Black XLR

[@DanielBenzs65AMG]

Nice garage brother, i like your style!

[@emeyer6963]

Make sure you don't need a taillight for one of these Caddy XLR's.Anywhere from $1000 to $3000 per side.

[@justinmiles287]

Absolutely I have a 13' xts an the tail lights were a grand

[@islandknight6105]

Check out the junk yards - you shouldn’t be paying a grand for those

[@TraveladvRajanSRai]

A grand for both is a deal

[@I_HateClickBait]

In-depth reviews filled with useful information and still the absolute driest sense of humor in all of KZbin land! I can and do spend hours watching his videos.

[@lewwwalters31]

Nice job as always Bill, appreciate your authentic reviews of these cars we can actually afford now. I look forward to the next one.

[@tikibeach]

At the beginning of this video you made a statement about the virus and you nailed it! So thank you for that. Fear and politics seems more rampant than the virus itself. Let know what your favourite Scotch is and I'll bring you a bottle from England when I'm next at my lonely boat in Cape Coral. And by the way I need to buy a run around for when I'm over there.

[@austinfrazier7325]

Rob Grant the survival rate is something like 99.9%. You decide if the panic is worth it.

[@242HP]

@@austinfrazier7325 Even if that's true (and I don't know whether it is or not), there's still a chance you could end up in the damned hospital from this thing, like one of our state representatives did. I hope you've got good medical insurance, because I wouldn't want to have to pay the bills for weeks in an ICU on a respirator. Incidentally, people from ALL ages are getting this virus; it's not just affecting the old-timers who live in nursing homes.

[@austinfrazier7325]

242HP Research continues but what it is looking like is it is a virus that affects weakened immune systems. So yes it could affect all ages (except children seem to be almost immune because of a substance in their throat that helps to block it). Diabetes, hypertension, etc folks are also getting hit hard. As long as you don’t have any of those conditions and take lots of vitamin D, C, and Zinc each day you should be fine. Keep your stress low, 8 hours sleep, eat healthy, etc. Look up “Dr Berg Covid19” on KZbin. Personally I have 0 fear of this because I do all the stuff above.

[@tikibeach]

@@242HP I'm fortunate enough to live in the UK where health care is free. I think it should be a right to all Americans. It's the one thing that America has so wrong and is shameful.

[@benedictdonald4338]

Rob Grant there are many things terribly wrong with America these past few decades.....it feels like we’re about to cross the Rubicon (if we already haven’t). But I’ll watch Bill’s videos while Rome burns!!

[@ferrarienzo2626]

Brilliant comments at the start of the video, God give you Strenght!

[@bernieneufeld4297]

Maybe ask god to teach you how to spell.

[@citibear57]

I love your videos. You are very knowledgeable, yet fun to listen to 👍 Interesting to read your comments about the Allante. At least it was better than the Chrysler TC by Maserati. I like the XLR, especially now that it has been gone for several years. Thanks Bill!

[@ericberk4027]

Bill, I absolutely love your videos! Your humor is great, and I've actually been thinking about a Benz for the first time in my life> Your vids have been very informative and thank you . It's such a nice and comfortable way to learn about the brand and the history. Thanks again.

[@DanielBenzs65AMG]

If you buy a good Benz you’ll end up buying them til you die trust me

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I worked for a 60 something dude who only had pick up trucks all his life but 2 yrs from retirement he bought this car. He lost his license 4 months in. Retirement will suck.

[@wanttoplae]

Great car, fun review, awesome presentation. I subscribed just for your presentations! Thank you for continuing to do such amazing work.

[@shopwithaaron]

Hey! Way back in November I was in So Cal for regrettably a funeral and had the chance to go from North Orange county to Long Beach in my sister's XLR-V!! she likes to drive well beyond the speed limit (as all cali's do!) and we were treated to such flat spotted tires (at 80MPH) that when I said something she brushed it off!! Such a shame they won't take care of the nice things they have...It may have 45,000 miles at this point. Thanks for what you do.

[@cameron..3474]

He is hilarious! And very informative as well!

[@homebase3none597]

I owned one of these, a 2008, and I loved it. It was fast, but it wasn't quick. After many years of ownership, I traded it in for a 2015 SL 550, a car that is both fast and quick, and with the RennTech tune, it's even quicker. One thing Bill needs to tell XLR owners is what he said to prospective SL owners. "Not everyone who can own one should. Despite its current price, this is a $100,000 ... at the time state of the art … roadster … and that is the car you are going to be maintaining. You’re not going to be maintaining the $15,000 dollar car or whatever the hell you paid for it.”

[@TheHelado36]

Came here for the car, stayed because of the narrator !

[@MarinCipollina]

Bill, you are the best. You're real and honest. That's depressingly rare these days. You're a breath of fresh air and therapeutic for me. I used to live in Florida before I escaped, (Miami Beach and the Manatee County side of Sarasota-Bradenton). I'm in Los Angeles California now, but it has its own problems. There's just no escape.. There is nowhere in this country that's reasonable on any level. Not that you care about any of this, but with this particular video, You've really captured the essence of the Cadillac XLR.. God, I just hated that naming convention. What was wrong with Fleetwood, Eldorado, Coupe de Ville, Seville? But I digress.. I think I'm a few years older than you are, but not by many, and I think you truly get what Cadillac is about. Or used to be about. Many of us waited so long for Cadillac to build and offer cars worthy of the name. It's been a slog, a slow and tortuous process, full of false starts and setbacks, but ever so slowly, they've been regaining their footing. Now we have electrification on top of us, and I'm very ambivalent about that development. Odds are it will be simply dreadful. Prepare for it. Cadillac Lyriq and Celestiq are coming, fully electrified according to reports...See that?.. They did it again.. Now it's back to model names but everything has to end with the letter 'Q'.. What is THAT about? I really don't understand these people at all. But Celestiq in particular is set to be hand buiilt, according to reports.. I think they're talking about interiors, and maybe engines.. Where a human skill set of craftsmanship can be applied. They'll keep the robots for welding duties and that sort of thing. Celestiq will have a six figure price tag, according to a Cadillac executive, and the first digit won't be a '1'. That's punching at a weight well above anything they've targeted in a very long time. You would have to go back to the 1957-58 Eldorado Seville or the V-16 Cadillacs of the 1930s to find anything comparable. But I never thought Cadillac should be arm wrestling the Germans. I think they should have been gunning for Rolls-Bentley all along. I've owned quite a few Cadillacs over the years, and also sold Cadillacs, so I'd venture I have as good a feel for what Cadillac is and should be as anyone. I've had Cadillacs in my family that date back to the late 1950s. XLR might be my favorite so far. Keep up the great work !

[@DwayneETowns]

I find your videos very entertaining and informative , keep up the good work.

[@nealvance2506]

Bill, I've been watching your video car reviews for a couple of weeks now, and really really enjoy them. Additionally, I have found your voice to be the perfect background for a good nights sleep, no kidding! 'Thanks, man.

[@fclachine]

Karen : "excuse me sir, you're clearly not living your life in fear. I need to talk to your manager."

[@8corymix8]

My Communist Michigan Governor would say the same. Lol

[@RageHP-RageHorsePower]

@@8corymix8 lmaooo whitmer

[@fclachine]

@@8corymix8 ha ha ha, she's the Queen of the Karen's!

[@EMObeamer]

Can't cancel Bill

[@TruveIo]

The cyclist at 28:30 is a lot thinner than most Americans these days.

[@benedictdonald4338]

TruveIo especially for being in Florida. The American South is ballooning at an alarming rate!!

[@nikstergoldie5307]

I can't tell you how much we laughed watching this video! Thanks for being... well, you!

[@andretv2308]

I agree that the living in fear is not a good thing. It’s awful up here in New Jersey we are on stage zero still. I look forward to moving to Florida things look up that way. Always a pleasure to watch your car reviews. You inject your entertaining personality, great evaluation of autos and teaching us a good history about the cars. Have a great day.

[@michaelcheli5842]

Your views on Corona are refreshing, as I'm from Cali and it's a control everybody who hasn't drank the coolaid nutshow out here, but I digress. Thanks for the candor and great review. :)

[@michaelcheli5842]

I'm from Cali too; need I say more :)

[@MikeBMW]

Bill, what you got here, you know, is another review that can make a fellow a bit chipper. You've got your cool commentary and a sort of wonkiness in the allegories. Still, and even then, what it turns out to be is great! :) ... stay tuned for next week when Bill reviews workout gear - I know I'll be here for that! :D

[@jokerzwild00]

I generally dislike most of everything GM puts out, but this car is one that I'd love to own even now. I still kick myself for not snagging the one that my neighbor was selling a few years ago. It was an 05 with well over 100,000 miles but it looked like it had lower mileage on it, though not nearly as mint as the one in this video. He drove it a lot and there was usual wear which did show. He maintained it very well. I could have walked him down to 8 grand for it because he was moving to Las Vegas and needed to get rid of it quickly. I knew nothing about these cars though and assumed it was typical GM crap even though I liked the way it looked. I was so busy at the time I didn't look too hard, but later on I saw more about the car and knew it would be one of those good ones that got away. Would have been a fun weekend car.

[@JASON-pm1kb]

Bill you are the greatest my day is complete watching your videos

[@davidmagen415]

Loved the XLR V but out of my price range when it came out🏖

[@benscampers1818]

28:30 lol. Nice car. Thanks Bill!

[@ralphl7643]

The birds that used to be in the crest are called merlettes.

[@villet271]

XLR is nice but so is the Buick Reatta.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video Bill, this is a gorgeous car!! Never got this in the UK :( Hope you are well?

[@keithkauffmann5815]

Awesome channel. I was in tears laughing about your description of the bathrooms. Bill, you are hilarious yet very knowledgeable about your cars. Thanks for the entertainment.

[@desertwindauh]

I enjoyed ownership of my XLR. It was unique to behold and refreshingly good to drive. By all means get a good one to experience it. Ultimately, though, the lack of support from Cadillac in terms of parts, serviceability, and further development doomed one of Cadillac's most promising cars. I sold mine when it became impossible to enjoy due to the lack of any parts to keep it working and running properly on the road. A great pity.

[@MrRea112]

Love the grumpy grandpa style, Bill. A refreshing change from the faux, politically correct garbage we so often have to put up with today.

[@michaelcheli5842]

Thank you for the comprehensive and entertaining review. I almost feel guilty not paying a covercharge, as your comedy beats anything found in my area of Northern California.

[@billace90]

Lol!! A Caddy with magnetohydrodynamic drive for an almost silent propulsion system? Now we know Bill is a Tom Clancy fan!

[@taunuslunatic404]

You can call it the Red October.

[@janickgoudeau6126]

Or call it the hunt for the red Covid-19 Mayday edition..

[@ronmccullock1407]

You have made my day Bill and made me smile

[@hotroddave7597]

First time I ever heard anyone talk about toilet paper in a car video thanks Bill I love your videos man

[@theleader4532]

I enjoy listening to the story intro of each new car !!

[@gregvarner9562]

I never miss one of these reviews. There are plenty of LS swapped XLRs out there if you can't take the Northstar....

[@s.m.2868]

Bvlgari is actually an Italian jewellery maker. Anyways great video as always Bill, keep them coming!

[@242HP]

Bill, since you seem to be running short on cars to review, when are you going to bring us the previously promised tour of Naples for those of us who've never been there?

[@lashuanjones1213]

CTHU... you and these animals and the guns. I love you!!

[@kingjay239]

Please do A 2004-2011 Cadillac STS! Those cars have aged like fine wine and from the inside they look like the 2007-2014 Escalade.Well at least the fully loaded one does. I had a 2007 STS back in 2014 and I used to get so many compliments. People thought that it was a brand new car lol. I had to tell them that it was old. Some thought that it was a CTS and I used t get mad lol (jk) But people liked it so much that I had 2 different people tell me that because of me they went out and bought a CTS because the STS was a bit more expensive back then. I really would love to have another one but this time around a 2008-2011 model because they gave them a small refresh. Also the 1999-2003 Cadillac Seville SLS/STS that would be another great car to review.

[@aramos811]

Love the roadster by Cadillac. I really enjoy your stories and comments that are extremely entertaining.

[@TheHomeExpert5]

We love you Bill, I'm in Wellington which is not that far away and I could smell the smoke from here.

[@chrismalcomb3387]

I love the CTS coupe, I've had a few Cadillacs and really like the new coupes.

[@danielchapman9635]

You just keep getting better and better!

[@anthonybertone2336]

Rambling at its best, Thanks, Love it

[@MrMenefrego1]

*My WWII Vet father was a Luxo-Boat devotee, Lincolns, Cadillac's and even the odd Chrysler, Imperial, like the work of art they built in '78. But, to be honest I really think he'd love a Caddy Roadster. He wouldn't be too happy about the extinction of the American Luxury Car, but he'd love that Caddy Roadster! Love your videos, Bill, you make video's with a 'Tude'! You're a Baby Boomer kinda guy... Conservative!*

[@railroad70]

I really enjoy these reviews of his cars. If I won the lottery, I'd buy a few of these cars that I don't need because of his charisma 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@brucebelitz3451]

I think it looks better with the top up, one of the very few! Thanks Bill!

[@KyleJett]

Bill can we please get the old videos from auto house back on this channel? They removed them all and it's really irritating. I loved that one of your red e30 convertible.

[@texx1017]

heard about the fires..glad you guys are all good........

[@DanielBenzs65AMG]

I went from being a gm Cadillac guy to a Mercedes fan, but i still want one of these caddies!

[@hotroddave7597]

One year later and this video is still very kool ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@elDuderino87]

Was 04 the first year for these? I remember seeing these on the lot and have wanted one since. Great video.

[@seawhaturnissen]

I bought a 04 XLR sight unseen lol. Lord pray for me... love the channel

[@mrerick0363652]

This guy should be a stand up comedian. This guy got me scared that birds and evil goats going to attack me.

[@kuvjohn4074]

This guy never fail to make us laugh... better reviewer then all those you tuber with big sub... and it’s thirsty Thursday 😂 lol

[@floridaproductions]

Sir please take up bird watching.The end result may turn you into a [BIRD BRAIN] then you will be totally chipper !

[@austinfrazier7325]

The biggest problem with this car is you can’t get parts or they are insanely expensive. Search CarWizard on KZbin. He could barely even find a replacement radiator.

[@zachdechazal4543]

Bill would you consider an Auto Europa facility tour video??

[@teredude]

I always drove Cads and loved my early and mid 70's Eldo's. After GM tried to make Euro style cars I just bought bland Mercedes. I would like the CTS series you said everything that I went through. One of my MB's is an AMG sl63 and it looks like that little Cad. Sweet!

[@aliengoth]

they should have used the term art and Technology but I still love them

[@MitchGrooms]

the bathroom thing,OMG.. love it Bill.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

Wonderful as always

[@BMC82]

Thanks Bill for your realistic automobile critiques. Love the New York attitude, LOL

[@242HP]

Is Bill originally from New York?

[@frankirvine316]

Bill, The birdies have laser aiming devices built in😩 Nice videos ✅

[@stefanmayr9379]

Great car, great video, as usual 😄👍 Thanks a lot for showing this Beauty and for your enjoyable report 🙏 Enjoy your whiskey therapy, Bill. Greetings from Austria and take care 🥃🥃🇦🇹👍

[@MrCarGuy]

33:18 Speaking of risky business, let's see if you could track down a nice Alfa 164 QV or Q4.

[@brianc4629]

Cadillac screwed this car by not making the base engine the same LS that was in the Vett at this time. Instead it got a less powerful, less reliable, and higher maintenence engine. Bad decision.

[@jgharts4949]

Roger Stone!! 😂👍🏻

[@treedeblue]

Bill pulls off the normcore look so well, his a fantastic role model

[@auntbarbara5576]

your Uncle Sal and I love when the Everglades are on fire too!

[@brianlee4629]

The XLR is pretty much the same chassis as the Chevrolet Corvette. I loved these XLR convertibles (and I still do to this day), they're pretty amazing cars!

[@davidmagen415]

Yup I too lusted after an XLR V. But could never afford it. What a super car , and the fact that no Canadians can fit in it 🏖️

[@jakahl1470]

Did he say XMR, and Cadimack? Dude is funny in his unique, cynical, been around way. Great videos!

[@corvettejimmy3323]

The first automotive Cadillac emblem featured the following design elements: The Couronne (Crown): The six ancient counts of France, with the pearls being descendancy from the royal counts of Tolouse. The Merlettes: Commonly known as “the ducks,” these birds appear in trios to symbolize the Holy Trinity, with three on one side representing the nobility of the mother’s lineage and the others representing the father’s noble lineage. The use of the birds comes from the time of the Crusades. Color Stripes: Black (superiority), gold (riches), red (boldness), silver (virtue), and blue (valor). The black stripe itself is indicative of an award for Crusader service. The Laurel Wreath: A symbol of aristocracy and victory.

[@RevLexus]

Great car, can you pretty please do that black IS?

[@teredude]

Excellent narration.

[@lexusls4305]

The entire time I’m staring at the black SC430 in the background

[@stoneylonesome4062]

Cool car, but a damn shame that they didn’t offer a manual. Roadsters should be manual, and shit like this ruins otherwise cool cars like the XLR, Allante, Reatta, last generation Thunderbird, modern SL’s, et cetera.

[@razvandobos9759]

We need this back.

[@Clearanceman2]

God knows, the standard in GM luxury cars and storage is always sets of golf clubs. GM will sometimes even mention this in its advertising. I guess some people are like "Yeah, I'd spend $100K on this car but you know I can't get two sets of golf clubs in the back so I got to pass." Apparently, people buy these types of cars mostly to be seen at the golf course in them. Normally, I try not to think about things like this too much.

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Oh and also pretty please can you film that Black Lexus IS convertible? :)

[@WolfShadowhill]

Is it really a Bill video without a weather report

[@SuperJMichael]

The shocks are made by Tenneco Corporation which holds the patent on magnetic fluid shocks. It’s not a Delphi product. Delphi/GM is/was a customer of Tenneco. I know because I was a quality engineer for Tenneco.GM was one of my customers.

[@kireality]

The XLR wasn't a sales success. It was a technological success that gave Caddy the roadster the Allante never was. Plus the better build quality and engineering of this powertrain piggy backing off of the sale and styles of the Escalade, CTS, STS and the V/V-Sport selections.

[@Theclassiccarnut]

Well said Bill!

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

have always loved Cadillacs as my late maternal grandmother drove a used 79 Coupe Deville when I was a young child then traded it in for a used 1984 Buick Skylark which was later traded for a 1990 widebody Toyota Camry the Porsche 911 of that year ranged from 320 HP to 477 HP