Well I just got back form my dealer. While I was there a Black Star was delivered.

Here's a FEW of the things I noticed.

INTERIOR: The interior is essentially the same as prior years especially the saddle except the top of the door panels are a grey color as opposed to a darker saddle.

SERIALIZED NUMBERING: The serialized number for the limited edition is in the adhesive carbom fiber insert in the drivers door sill. This one was not installed very well and needs to be trimmed with a sharp razor blade or it will curl up and have to be replaced. (good luck getting one with the serial number on it).

CONSOLE WOOD COVERING: The console wood covering in my assessment isn't worth the money. (if you were to add it to a earlier model year car). When it was first brought up on this site I thought ALL of the carbon fiber was replaced with wood trim. Unfortunitely this isn't the case it's just around the DVD slot.

WHEELS: As was mentioned, the Black Star Edition does have CHROME spokes just like our aluminum ones. I would assume that there will be an option offered for those interested. However, IF I was to replace my stock wheeels, I would MUCH rather get the FOOSE wheeels similiar to Standby's on this site.

MY PERSONAL HANGUP: Somebody in Cadillac design must have had a BRAIN FART!!! They decided to put a small GM aluminum silver logo measuring 2 inches square on each the side of the car on the forward edge of the rear fender. If you were a 2 foot midget you MIGHT be interested in looking closer at it to see what it said. In my assessment I would get a heat gun and REMOVE THEM IMMEDIATELY since they SIGNIFICANTLY detract from the overall look of the car design.

The factory quality control sure slipped on these cars if this one is an example of what they did with the rest of the 300 cars.

SCRATCH IN THE TOP OF THE LEFT FRONT FENDER: On this one there was a scratch/scrape about 4 inches long and 1/8th of an inch wide that must have happened in the post priming phase and prior to the paint and clear coat being applied. It's going to requred repainting which I don't think the best painter will be happy doing since this Black Star paint is loaded with metallic. so good luck in everything matching. I know the body shop manager personally and I don't think he will be happy when he finds out. We'll see.

These same logo squares are on the DTS and STS as well . WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!!!

DTS: By the way the rear of the DTS looks like a Monte Carlo since the trunk was redesigned. It's more a slanted flat look --weird!!!

Regards.

Thanks for the report.

Personally I love the look of black - so long as it belongs to someone else who has to maintain it. What I don't like about black is:
1) Difficult to keep clean. Dust and fingerprints show minutes after cleaning.
2) Black shows spiderwebbing and micro-scratches worse than other colors.
3) I live in Texas and its hot around here. Black doesn't help with the heat.

But what is your asessment of the color?

XLR, thank you for that report. I just got off the phone with my dealer and he said they will start taking orders for the V in the middle of October and will be delivered in January.

At any rate, I am having a hard time with the 3 measly color choices on the V. My dealer said that the guy he talked to said something like GM does not want to offer the V in any wonderful colors because they want to draw more attention to the regular XLR cars.

I still have to figure out what color to pick. Silver is boring, black is hard to take care of, and I already have the Crimson Pearl. How about a beautiful color for the Vs, GM?

So, do I order a regular XLR just to get the Black Star color, or stick the the V and get the Black Raven? Does anyone feel this way?

My dealer has been fantastic. They took care of all the paint scratches I had, and picked up the car from my house, and delivered it back to me the next day. Velde Cadillac in North Pekin has been great.

Thanks, all!

Julie,

As you know I jsut got back from Bowling Green and the new infra red isn't anything like the Crimson Pearl and it's loading with flake and pearl, more of a burgundy..............I have a V order in this color and I'm more than pleased witih my choice.
Go see this color on an 06 XLR, I think you'll like it. I do agree that we aren't being given many choices.

So, do I order a regular XLR just to get the Black Star color, or stick the the V and get the Black Raven? Does anyone feel this way?Thanks, all!

Julie,

As you know I jsut got back from Bowling Green and the new infra red isn't anything like the Crimson Pearl and it's loading with flake and pearl, more of a burgundy..............I have a V order in this color and I'm more than pleased witih my choice.
Go see this color on an 06 XLR, I think you'll like it. I do agree that we aren't being given many choices.

For my $86K, infra-red the only choice is a V.

Standby, have you figured out how much they are going to ding you in depreciation for the accident history?

No I haven't wanted to go there.

Here is a pic of the bad paint job. It's been at the dealer for one week and will be there for 3 more days. It seems that the Dupont paint didn't match and they have had to go to another paint which I understand matched perfectly....we will see.

For my $86K, infra-red the only choice is a V.

Standby, have you figured out how much they are going to ding you in depreciation for the accident history?

Thank you Aviator and Standby. I appreciate the input. Sorry about your bad paint job, Standby. Good luck.

The color is grayish as opposed to ink black. Perhaps the flakes are the reason why.

In MY assessment the regular black would look a LOT better.

I personally don't see the incremental value in this car over the stock one.

Julie: I let the dealer know that I only want a Xenon Blue "V". If it isn't available then I'll pass until next year when they will offer more colors and perhaps a better value along with some more improvements on the features in the car.

No I haven't wanted to go there.

Here is a pic of the bad paint job. It's been at the dealer for one week and will be there for 3 more days. It seems that the Dupont paint didn't match and they have had to go to another paint which I understand matched perfectly....we will see.

I can't tell about the paint from that pic. However, standby, I do love those Chip Foose wheels.
:thumbs

XLR Pit Crew, good for you on the way you handled the color choice! A Xenon Blue V would be so cool. Better than the other 3 choices. Who had any idea that GM would only offer 3 colors, and make ordering a V bittersweet?

Like the 2 other V series choices,
The V series vehicles are continuing on what the CTS-V started in 2004, a small group of exclusive colors. Below are the 2006 V series colors.
CTS-V
Black Raven
Light Platinum
Stealth Gray
Infra Red

STS-V
Black Raven
Light Platinum
Stealth Gray

XLR-V
Black raven
Light Platinum
Infra Red

http://cadillacxlr-v.com

Thank you
Allen

Julie - XLR Pit Crew is a designation you get on this site once you make 50 postings. The name is on top.

Alan:

I personally think that Cadillac is missing the point by limiting the color selection.
As I have said from my soap box MANY times before on this subject,
"WHAT ARE WE BUYING A SATURN" ?

If I am willing to pay the higher price for the "V" then the least Cadilllac can do is to offer me a selection of colors so that I can personalize MY "V" from the rest of the pack.

I know you personally can't do anything but maybe GM Corporate is looking at our feedback.

I will tell you this I will wait 2 or 3 years to get a "V" in the color I want. If it isn't available then I will look at another brand of car that will offer me the color selections I want.

REGARDS

No I haven't wanted to go there.

Here is a pic of the bad paint job. It's been at the dealer for one week and will be there for 3 more days. It seems that the Dupont paint didn't match and they have had to go to another paint which I understand matched perfectly....we will see.

Hi Bob, you are right, as you`ve told me on the phone I can see now that your front end is a little darker than from the door backward.

Still waiting for my Corsa!!!

Have a nice weekend

Hans

Well, Hans

The latest is the over spray that was alll over every part of the car ithat wasn't painted, including the rims........and..........INCLUDING, the nav screen and the console which feels like sand paper. That said, I guess I have over spray on everything in the ****pit.............How's that for service at a Cadillac dealer? I think the GP Nanny is over doing it with the word above.
Guess I'll go down to the garage and do a little polishing on these last two items. I can easily take care of this problem, but shouldn't have to. I showed it to the genereal manager and he didn't even offer to have somone remove it.
top up, very cloudy and looks a little like rain.
Bob
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_2_3v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_2_8v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS) http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_6_8.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS)

Hi Bob, you are right, as you`ve told me on the phone I can see now that your front end is a little darker than from the door backward.

Still waiting for my Corsa!!!

Have a nice weekend

Hans

Bob...A clay bar is probably going to be the best way to get rid of overspray :flag

Thanks, Eyedoc, I'm blonde! Lovin' my XLR, though! hee hee

Thanks Jack..................now, what is a clay bar and will it work on my console urethene? Don't you want to tell me where La Verne is?

Just talked to a saleman at Howards in Laguna Niguel today and he is not a member of the forum but has a Crimson Red with custom made 20"s on it and Corsica exhaust. Sounds great but not worth that kind of money.
He also has had many problems with his, expecially brakes and top. They put new brakes on his at 16,000 miles but won't touch mine with 14,000. Allen Cadillac has the worst service and service writers I have ever seen and he agrees and is going to Lemon his car too. NO, I didn't tell him I was doing the same thing. Gm is going to pay for ignoring our complaints, I assure you of that.
Bob...A clay bar is probably going to be the best way to get rid of overspray :flag

Thanks Jack..................now, what is a clay bar and will it work on my console urethene? Don't you want to tell me where La Verne is?

Just talked to a saleman at Howards in Laguna Niguel today and he is not a member of the forum but has a Crimson Red with custom made 20"s on it and Corsica exhaust. Sounds great but not worth that kind of money.
He also has had many problems with his, expecially brakes and top. They put new brakes on his at 16,000 miles but won't touch mine with 14,000. Allen Cadillac has the worst service and service writers I have ever seen and he agrees and is going to Lemon his car too. NO, I didn't tell him I was doing the same thing. Gm is going to pay for ignoring our complaints, I assure you of that.

Hi Bob, you mean Corsa exhaust, not Corsica. Is the sound to you too loud for the car or what you think about it. As I read, you know the price of it, well mine (still not here) was $ 1.440 what I´ll think is a good price for a front to end exhaust system. It`s two small mufflers, two big ones plus the long double pipe.

Do you think you`ll take your V from Allen Cadillac? - If I had this trouble with my dealership I would send them to hell.

Hans

I'm still a bit confused, I was under the impression Allen Cadillac was the greatest dealership in the world and their service was by far the best any of us could ever hope for. Not to mention the fact any member here who would dare to make negative comments about their XLR was chastised and sent packing. Very confusing.

I'm still a bit confused, I was under the impression Allen Cadillac was the greatest dealership in the world and their service was by far the best any of us could ever hope for. Not to mention the fact any member here who would dare to make negative comments about their XLR was chastised and sent packing. Very confusing.
Hi mswaim, I´ll think you see how your dealership is not by buying a car and regular service, you will see it, like Bob did after an accident. The job they did on his car and how they threated him is terrible. On a 85 K car the color should match and so the gaps after a repair + the color film on parts of the car.

That`s what I think about

Hans

Bob...This is the clay bar I use. Most stores that sell auto polishes sell clay bars and all detail shops use them. The results are great.
Z-18 ClayBar removes imbedded contamination from the paint finish that cannot be removed using conventional cleaning methods. Z-18 is non-abrasive and works like no cleaner, compound or chemical can. Z-18 is safe for use on all paint finishes. The following are some of the contaminants that Z-18 removes: Rail dust—tiny, sharp bare metal shavings that adhere to and imbed in the paint. Most new vehicles are delivered via the railroad and start with a fine coating of rail dust. You’ll get more anytime you park near railroad tracks or wait for a train. Brake dust—similar to rail dust; since the advent of metallic brake pads, anytime a vehicle with them applies their brakes, brake dust is disbursed into the air and onto the paint. Even if you don’t have metallic pads, the car next to you does! Industrial fallout—the general term used for pollution and dust which settles onto the paint finish. Other harmful items—tree sap, road tar, bug residue, paint over-spray, acid rain deposits and other contaminants. Contaminants that are left on the paint surface can weaken the protective properties and cause serious damage to the paint. Z-18 ClayBar is the ultimate way to clean the paint finish in preparation for Zaino polish. http://www.lazaino.com/ :flag

Ya Hans,

It is indeed Corsa and I just didn't think it sounded that great, just my opinion. It might have been the other exhaust system that starts with a B.
If they will still sell it to me, I will take it because I believe the lower grille will let more air through and blow that hot air out. If not I will push it until they do something about it or have it fixed myself by taking an AC hose in the dash and splitting it to run air down the console.
Other than the console heat, which is enough in itself, my 04 has treated me pretty good, especial the top, it's the idiots at the paint shop that got me mad.
Today I spent the better part of the morning using swirl remover polish on my console and nav screen to remove the overspray. While doing this I noticed that by touching any part of the interior you could feel the over spray everywhere. I used Cherry wax after i was done and it feels fine and looks great. Got my little detail brush out to remove the white stuff in every crack.
I also found out that almost every XLR that has been sold at Allen Cadillac has been in for major brake, top and electrical problems. I would imagine Allen is getting pretty tired of the complaints and are just blowing people off at this point.
The salesman I met at an appliance store that leases an 05 has had so much trouble that he was thinking about calling ON Star every morning and running a diagnostic before he takes off in the car.
One day the car wouldn't let him in, when he got in, it wouldn't start and gave him all kinds of negative messages one after another. He called for a diagnostic guy to come out and when he got there, the car had stopped acting up, but the trunk wouldn't close...............I think I have problems?
Not raining but what the hell, it's football day.
Bob
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/14/14_3_15.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS) and http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/18/18_1_104v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS)
Do you think you`ll take your V from Allen Cadillac? - If I had this trouble with my dealership I would send them to hell.Hans

Sorry you’re having difficulties with your XLR – certainly you’re making us a bit anxious! Our ‘05 XLR has very few miles on it and no consequential problems thus far, but we would be unhappy too with what you’ve described. In no way wanting to detract from the circumstances you’ve encountered, we can’t help but wonder if that’s typical. Surely Cadillac will stand behind their flagship product (or we'll be greatly disappointed). We have found them to be extremely concerned and accommodating in terms of dealing with a few problems on our Escalade that were well out of warranty coverage.

The unresolved complaints we see here with respect to the XLR do leave us rather puzzled.

Sincerely,
Ed and Sandra

Dear Ed & Sandra,

I appreciate your support and if I had any other recourse I would use it, but they leave me know choice.
I've heard of GM replacing cars when customers are dissatisfied, so I'm expecting this treatment as well. Having ordered a V, I wouldn't be interested in taking anything short of a V and pay the difference.
I think it's which dealer you are dealing with as to the service you get. I still have over spray on my rear deck and the piece that fills the void when the top is down. It's obvious to me that they had the top down when they where painting it or had windows down that let over spray drift into the cabin.
I will keep everyone informed, so everyone can make there own choice as to what to do when not being treated as a preferred customer.
Sincerely
Bob

The unresolved complaints we see here with respect to the XLR do leave us rather puzzled.
Sincerely,
Ed and Sandra

Sorry you’re having difficulties with your XLR – certainly you’re making us a bit anxious! Our ‘05 XLR has very few miles on it and no consequential problems thus far, but we would be unhappy too with what you’ve described. In no way wanting to detract from the circumstances you’ve encountered, we can’t help but wonder if that’s typical. Surely Cadillac will stand behind their flagship product (or we'll be greatly disappointed). We have found them to be extremely concerned and accommodating in terms of dealing with a few problems on our Escalade that were well out of warranty coverage.

The unresolved complaints we see here with respect to the XLR do leave us rather puzzled.

Sincerely,
Ed and Sandra


Ed and Sandra,
Not to be overly concerned, these circumstances are in no way typical of every car and/or dealer just as all members of this forum are not typical of every owner.
Love my XLR....22 months and 27,000 miles later :thumbs

Well 1_XLR, you are very fortunate indeed, as was I for a year, except for the hot console.

If your reading posts, it's becoming more typical that people are getting replacement cars, threatening to lemon their cars, and aren' really happy with GM and their dealers, so I'm a little confused with your statement. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_2_7v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS)

Ed and Sandra,
Not to be overly concerned, these circumstances are in no way typical of every car and/or dealer just as all members of this forum are not typical of every owner.
Love my XLR....22 months and 27,000 miles later :thumbs

I don't find the post confusing. If you read all of my posts concerning my experiences with owning an XLR you will see that I always enjoyed a good relationship with my dealer even though they could not repair the top on my XLR to a point where we felt safe that the problem would not re-occur.

Each time the top failed or otherwise malfunctioned we would take it back in, smile and explain the problem and wait until they called. We never threatened them, never consulted with an attorney and never told them we though the car was a lemon. We simply waited until it met the criteria and then spoke with the service manager and asked him what he would do if the car was his? His answer was to call the GM district rep who dropped by the next day and evaluated our claim.

Our dealer worked side by side with us every step of the way as we went through the Buy Back process with GM. The entire process took about three weeks, with our dealer supplying a rental vehicle until we decided what we were going to do.

They treated us so well that we decided that for the short term we would pick up an 05 C6 to play with.

We could have taken a new XLR but we had already spent more than a year in one and were a bit tired of it and ready to move on. I've never made any bones about the fact that to us, the XLR was just a car like many others we have owned through the years. It's not my first one and won't be my last one - it's just a car; and very nice one at that.

No question things have been a little gloomy around the forum lately with a rash of problems over the last few weeks, and with problems will come bitching about service. I bought my car understanding that it was the first year out and there would be issues to deal with, a price I was willing to pay to drive this unique car.
I've also had my share of problems, fortunately never a problem with my top. But it's also new to the dealers and mechanics, so getting issues resolved can sometimes be a challenge, but eventually Cadillac gets it handled. That's been my experience and that's what I see take place on this forum.
I'm only aware of mswaim’s car being bought back, and I expect it had more to do with the fact that there was a personal injury involved in their malfunction, rather than being considered a "lemon", and I’m sure it was handled in a professional manner. You're making a lot of noise about lemons due to the hot console one year and one accident later, and I think it's an issue you'll just need to accept and deal with. Maybe I take it too lightly because mine is not hot, but from what we have read here, I don't believe it's a lemon issue. Your problems with Allen are really with the paint and body shop involving an accident, nothing to do with the integrity of the car, and ultimately not GMs responsibility.

I don't in any way mean to discount any members problems they are having with their car, or the service involved, trust me I know how aggravating it can be. But I do know with patience, it gets resolved.
The typical member here still loves their XLR

Keep in mind that I have been after this problem with the console for 14 months and since it hasn't been fixed I will Lemon this vehicle, whether you think I can or not. I'm not just making noise...............this will happen. FYI this has nothing to do with the accident or paint job.

It's amazing the way you and mswain always jump me at the same time. I think I can take care of that with the ignore list.

[QUOTE=1_XLR]

, so I'm a little confused with your statement. ]

since you were a little confused with my statement to Ed and Sandra,
I thought you, and others, would appreciate an explination,
my misunderstanding.

Heck, and I thought I was on the "Ignore" list already............................... :lurk :seeya

Gee, Mswaim was on my ignore list, but I just wanted to see if he was up to his old tricks................he sure didn't disappoint me.

Mswaim knocks me for wanting to lemon a vehicle Gm refuses to fix, but he takes a buy back and gets another vehicle.............I guess I'm missing something here. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/new/8_22/10_9_211.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS)

Heck, and I thought I was on the "Ignore" list already............................... :lurk :seeya

I have been advising this forum for quite some time now and have never seen the degree of negitivity... If you have an issue take it to the correct thread so people can read about a particular problem or concern. If an individual wanted to search for an issue they would just simply type it in the search box and then simply go to that thread.

Now everyone seems to just have a comment and puts it in any thread he/she feels compelled to. If you have a issue and it has not been looked at, then start a new thread, If your issue that has been discussed by finding it in the search box, then continue that thread there.

So many have discussed various things in so many threads it would be almost impossible for any individual to come on this forum and get quality information on a specific topic. If you owned a company and you needed information to make a a purchase or a financial decision, and an individual brought you information in this type of format there is a good chance he would not be working for your company very long.

I am sorry to say this type of improper placement of coments, is not what this forum was designed to do.

Just look up and see the topic of this thread.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thank you
Allen

Thanks, Eyedoc, I'm blonde! Lovin' my XLR, though! hee hee

The only cool thing about this thread is learning that Julie is a blonde! :D
A single ray of sunshine....

Uh oh! Off topic. Sorry Allen. BTW. You are absolutely right!

Thanks Jack..................now, what is a clay bar and will it work on my console urethene? Don't you want to tell me where La Verne is?


Back on topic (sort of) - Clay bar:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=11302

Make sure you use it in conjunction with Speed Shine.

Well said AllenI have been advising this forum for quite some time now and have never seen the degree of negitivity... If you have an issue take it to the correct thread so people can read about a particular problem or concern. If an individual wanted to search for an issue they would just simply type it in the search box and then simply go to that thread.

Now everyone seems to just have a comment and puts it in any thread he/she feels compelled to. If you have a issue and it has not been looked at, then start a new thread, If your issue that has been discussed by finding it in the search box, then continue that thread there.

So many have discussed various things in so many threads it would be almost impossible for any individual to come on this forum and get quality information on a specific topic. If you owned a company and you needed information to make a a purchase or a financial decision, and an individual brought you information in this type of format there is a good chance he would not be working for your company very long.

I am sorry to say this type of improper placement of coments, is not what this forum was designed to do.

Just look up and see the topic of this thread.

www.Cadillac-XLR.com (http://www.Cadillac-XLR.com)

Thank you
Allen

Dear Ed & Sandra,

I appreciate your support and if I had any other recourse I would use it, but they leave me know choice.
I've heard of GM replacing cars when customers are dissatisfied, so I'm expecting this treatment as well. Having ordered a V, I wouldn't be interested in taking anything short of a V and pay the difference.
I think it's which dealer you are dealing with as to the service you get. I still have over spray on my rear deck and the piece that fills the void when the top is down. It's obvious to me that they had the top down when they where painting it or had windows down that let over spray drift into the cabin.
I will keep everyone informed, so everyone can make there own choice as to what to do when not being treated as a preferred customer.
Sincerely
Bob


I have never heard of "GM replacing a car when the buyer becomes dissatisfied" It is only reluctantly when an identified problem can not be corrected in a resonable amount of time. Trust me people who pay many times more for there cars (Rolls Royces, etc.) have problems. My experience in owning these and other exotics is they can have many more problems than the Ford or Chevy. This is true not only because they are more complicated but in lower production and these bugs just pop up. Having said that it does not mean we should live with problems but to think the more you spend the less likely they occur seems to be the opposite of my experience.

Gee, Mswaim was on my ignore list, but I just wanted to see if he was up to his old tricks................he sure didn't disappoint me.

Mswaim knocks me for wanting to lemon a vehicle Gm refuses to fix, but he takes a buy back and gets another vehicle.............I guess I'm missing something here. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/new/8_22/10_9_211.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm414YYUS)


It's not the fact you are missing something Bob, the simple fact is - you are incapable of understanding the differences between our two situations. With that said, please put me back on your Ignore list; I was so much happier then.

Mr XLR, thank you.

Here's a 2006 Black Star on Ebay.

I'm sure the pictures do the color no justice,
but you can check out the interior changes as well

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cadillac-XLR-BLACK-LIMITE-2006-CADILLAC-XLR-ROADSTER-LIMITED-EDITION-LOADED-LOOK_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ98059QQitemZ457560 3242QQrdZ1



(and how's that for getting this thread back on track ;) )

Actually, thoses are some of the best pictures I've seen to date of the paint. Good find.

Here's a 2006 Black Star on Ebay.
.....
(and how's that for getting this thread back on track ;) )

Yay! :thumbs

And thanks for the great pictures 1_XLR!