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#1
11-28-2003, 04:22 AM
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2004 Cadillac XLR looks like an SL500
I just recently came across a photo of the new Cadillac XLR and I was surprised at how much it looks like the R129 SL500. Of course, I'm sure the quality of the car is nothing in comparison with the real thing. Even with all of it's faults, I still love my '94 SL500. Even if I had won a XLR in a lottery, I'd trade it in for a used R129.
Here is a link if you haven't seen it: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/gallery.aspx?modelid=10722&trimid=-1&src=VIP&tab=3   
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'94 SL500 Tourmaline Green, 120K miles as of February 27, 2005. http://home.earthlink.net/~boudreaux...ictures/17.jpg Updated photo September 2004 Last edited by Boudreaux; 12-10-2003 at 01:08 PM. 
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#2
11-28-2003, 08:35 AM
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Nah--the Benz looks better. Speaking purely for my own eye, the Caddy looks like an action cartoon knockoff or a Transformer toy by comparison; if you pull on the front end, the wings come out...
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Craig Bethune '97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition '04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's) '06 Lexus ES330 '89 560SL (sold) SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes. (Kudos to whoever said it first)
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#3
11-28-2003, 11:46 AM
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Caddy made it real clear from the get go the XLR is to compete with the SL. They even use the same manufacturer for the Vario roof. Just like the Lexus SCR (?).
I still say, a Caddy is just an expensive GM.
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95 R129 04 Infiniti G35.5 BS 10 X204
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#4
11-28-2003, 11:56 AM
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Love the Caddy. I hope it's a hit!
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#5
11-28-2003, 12:10 PM
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I believe that some years ago Cadilliac tried this same project without very much success. Remember the Alliante was built to compete with the 107. As best I remember the Caddie dealers had to cut prices way lower that expected to sell what they had. Maybe they will do better this time. But for that price I would still go for a good used Starmark SL.
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#6
11-28-2003, 12:25 PM
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Cadillac tried this with the Alliante. The 2 seat luxury touring car.
But on a side note. Cadillac promised that the Alliante would not depreciate more than the SL. So when all these Aliante owners traded there cars in for a new Cadillac. GM had to fork over quite a bit of money to "match" the SLs depreciation rate. It cost GM quite a bit of money. Dave
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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990 1980 240D, owned 1990-1992 1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993 1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004 1999 E300, owned 1999-2003 1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD 1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995 1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons) 1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004 2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver 1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold) 2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car
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#7
11-28-2003, 03:01 PM
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Oh yeah, I remember the Allanté. I have seen few to none on the road these days. You're right in saying that GM lost the farm on that deal; imagine the design expenses that were done by Pininfarina.
I like the Transformer idea (pull mirrors and jetpack pops out from underneath). Why do all of the new Cadillacs have that boxy, unfinished, sharp edges appearance? I thought they learned their lesson from the Pontiac Aztec (ugh!) and the nightmares associated with car.
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'94 SL500 Tourmaline Green, 120K miles as of February 27, 2005. http://home.earthlink.net/~boudreaux...ictures/17.jpg Updated photo September 2004
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#9
12-07-2003, 01:16 AM
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Re: 2004 Cadillac XLR looks like an SL500
Quote:
Last edited by mySL; 12-07-2003 at 01:24 AM.
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#10
12-08-2003, 04:33 PM
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It would be wise to compete with the R129 if it were still produced. However, Mercedes has moved on.
IMO, Cadillac is once again showing it's inability to design. What they pump out is simply unimformed and in some cases hideous. Remember I said IMO.... 
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Rick '85 380 SL (sold) '85 Carrera Flatnose '71 280 SL Signal Red/Cognac
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#11
12-08-2003, 05:25 PM
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I do agree that the new XLR looks like the R129 body style. My parents always say I got the SL500 because it reminded me of my black 5.0 mustang 350hp.(which it does look alot like it)
When you talk about the Allanté, it was a failed attempt because GM thought by making a car that would align with the SL it would automaticly sell. They didn't put the time into the horsepower or pure driving feel that you get wiht a SL. I have drivin the Allanté and it was not even close. Plus that car still had a identity crisis which Cadillac has been struggling with to eliminate. The new XLR is going to be much better aligned with the target audience. GM has spent alot of time looking at the past failure of the Allanté and trying not to duplicate this again. Now GM has done a ton of work to revamp the Cadillac name and personally I think that they have done a good job. Now will the new XLR cause a person looking to buy a SL to now thing twice???? maybe not, but it will add another option a person who likes the SL to have an alternitive as an American made car. It is always going to be dificult to create a rival to the Mercedes. The GM has alot riding on this car. It it is a success then it will do wonders for the Cadillac brand
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