Hello, I'm new to the forum and am planning on buying a used XLR here in So. Cal. I was wondering what advice you may have about the vehicle, things to look out for, etc. Also wondered how the warranty works as I see ads mentioning it is transferrable. Is that automatic or something one has to apply with GM for?

Any tips are welcome.

I can only speak from my experiences. I highly recommend you look for a certified XLR, due to the vast benefits. I found my XLR on E-bay, listed by a reputable Cadillac dealership. I drove 5 hours to see it and it is a great vehicle that was exactly as described by the salesman.

If you see one that is some distance from you, see if anyone on this forum lives close to the location. They might not mind checking it out and giving you an opinion based on their XLR knowledge. It may save you a long trip.

Fastforward,

I like the name!

Anyway, I would stay away from an '04, first year for any car can be dicey!

Be sure you get a Certified car--beats paying for problems yourself. Check the car's history, some have many skeletons in their closet!!! Go with a later-built '05--or newer-- to get away from most of the early problems.

Good luck in your search!! Let us know how you did.

Don't worry, you'll love the car!! It may even change your life! Read through the Forum and you'll see what I'm referring to.

Floyd

First .... where are you in So Cal? Take a minute and fill out your profile .... then, if you're lucky enough to get Standby to answer your post, listen to him .... and he probably will be able to give you the name of a great dealer to work with ... if you are in the San Diego area, buying from one of our 2 dealers is great .... but one of them is not going to go out of it's way to give you the great customer service you think Cadillac might give you.

Floyd is right .... the 04 can be a real pain ..... I KNOW THAT FIRST-HAND ... prices are dropping so fast, I agree, an 06 or later would probably pay off in the long run ... unless you have lots of time going to and from service centers!

My advice would be to have the dealer run a repair history on your car .... I would never buy another one without that. Had I seen Lola's list of visits to the garage I would never have bought her .... and not all cars seem to share the same ailments. (Maybe you can find a car with a few mods already done, too!)

I just reread this post ... I really am VERY happy with my XLR, and I always marvel how when I get in it and drive that it feels just like the first time, and I never get enough of looking at her ..... so, when she isn't performing at her best I get very upset - You will have the most fun time ever when you finally buy your car ..... really gets your heart pumping!

Then ... you must think about going to R3 with us ....!! That is the best :party

Good luck .... keep us posted .... :seeya

Ruth Ann

If your going with a 2004 make sure you buy the extended warranty if it isn't too late yet! Trust me it will pay for it's self 10x over! :jester

I`ve made bad experience on my 04 during the first year, CE light and as many of you know the oil leak but since the oil leak problem was done, no more problems since.
I know from Bob`s (standby`s) V, he owns an 06 the built quality got a lot better but I think even if you buy now an 04 with, I will say maybe 30K on the odo the first years problems should even be out of this cars.

Hans

I have a 2004 that seems great . The lot gave me a copy of the work history, when the car was certified. It did not have much on it and nothing that I would consider out of line. I think the 2004 issues I have read about in this forum, may not be across the board for all 2004s.

I bought my XLR used. Although, I have bought several first year cars and this one has less work history than any of the ones I bought new.

I have a 2004 that seems great . The lot gave me a copy of the work history, when the car was certified. It did not have much on it and nothing that I would consider out of line. I think the 2004 issues I have read about in this forum, may not be across the board for all 2004s.

I bought my XLR used Although, I have bought several first year cars and this one has less work history than any of the ones I bought new.

Count your blessings!

Floyd

Derfinately get a Certified vehicle and definately run a Car Fax check. When I was looking, I found a great deal on the web, but CarFax showed that it had been "water damaged" probably from Katrina.

Carfax is a good tool to confirm as much as possible about a car's history and compare cars you are considering, but it is also good to double check the Carfax with a Cadillac history to confirm the information. This will also give you more details on warranty repair history, service records, etc. You should be able to do this at any Cadillac dealer. I had an experience a few years back with incorrect information on a Carfax report related to the in-service date of a car I purchased. Remember, the Cadillac warranty is based on their in-service date for the car - not a
Carfax report.

Good luck!

Thanks all for the advice. I am in the north pat of LA county. There aren't too many used XLRs on the market up here right now. I'd go down to SD for the right one. I just checked one out in LA. 2005 w/ 40K mi. for $35K. Looked good and drove well, what's up with the crazing on the headlight covers (dealer said it's normal).

I'd welcome more input as I think this is the way I'm going (compared the vette today and the XLR is the way to go.)

I have an '05 and I am seeing a few more of them showing up on certified lots. I will make the assumption that the '05 was traded in for an '08 because you would be nuts to give this car up without getting back into one.

Personally, I could not afford a new one - wait rephrase - I could but my would would not let me afford a new one!!!

I have have a had a few minor issues with my '05 but that is what the certified warranty is for.

You can actually find great '05 models under 40k if you look around. Mine had some higher miles but was able to actually get it less than a wholesale price off the cadillac lot certified.

Wheel 'em and deal 'em

Sully

35K sounds fairly reasonable with that kind of mileage.

I haven't heard any complaints concerning the crazing. Many 04s had a lens-melt problem, but it doesn't sound like you're referring to that type of defect.

If it checks ok when you check her history (always good to do that!) and she comes as Certified you're probably good to go!

Keep us posted on your decision, and of course we're gonna want to see pictures!

Best of luck!
Floyd

Hi, I see you are located in Stevensen Ranch, I am across the freeway from you in Valencia.

If you have your XLR serviced at Parkway you should be in good hands. Their techs seem to know the XLR pretty well, especially Walt Stien who works on electrical. The biggest problem in getting the XLR serviced is that you are always waiting for parts to come in.

Mine is a 2004 with a ton of problems the first 5K.. After that very few. If you are looking at an 04 make sure it still is under factory warranty or certified. The clock is running out for the 04's My factory warranty ran out in January and I purchased the GMPP.

Good luck and ENJOY!!

The crazing on the lights IS NOT normal!!! If you like the car ask them to have the lights replaced for you.

There are several threads on this issue and it is covered by the warranty.

You won't want to by them yourself since they are over $1k apiece!!!

Regards

hi fast forward,
I was in your shoes about a year and half ago. My criteria was color (black with light interior), low mileage (less than 10K) and that it had a clear Carfax record. I was fortuate and my wife found one (her 10 yr anniversary to me), had it delivered and i now have a second love (obviously). it's a raven black xlr with tan interior (so i can't remember the exact color name...) and is incredibles. My point is, determine what your requirements are and go for it. I can tell you that if you buy an XLR in CA that was destined for CA then you'll get one with emission control load ons. I can attest to that when i ordered my Vette while overseas....you will need to pick it up other than CA unless you are willing to pay for and accept the emissions contral CA mandates. I don't think they ever recinded that. just my two cents......

but i love my car!!!!!!!!!

darrell