Yes, I already know what the response will be, but I'm curious as to your reasons. I have found a beautiful XLR, Black over shale, CPO, all the features, looks as new. Just a bit more than I wanted to spend, or I have less in the account than I thought, but regardless, I can't really justify keeping my Corvette convertible and buying the XLR. It's a 2000 C5, I've done some tweaks to the Vette, it puts down 350 at the rear wheels, is in very nice condition, millennium yellow over oak, Ronal wheels, etc. Anyhow, the wife hasn't said one or the other, but realistically I think that's the choice. Fact is, you can't drive a Vette anywhere nears it's limits on the street, and I rarely track this one, so how much would I miss the Vette? I know some of you have come from Vettes over here, any regrets?
I've been wrestling with this argument all weekend, might as well get some other opinions.
Thanks,
Bruce

We sold a 2002 C5 when the XLR came out in 2004 and have had no regrets.

I traded an '02 Vette--absolutely no regrets!!! Went from an XLR then to a "V."

Floyd

Traded a 2000 Torch Red low miles Corvette for an XLR. Newer C6 Corvettes are great cars but XLR is a unique and rare breed. I would do it again.

SilverX

My opinion................You will get a hardtop convertible and guts if you buy a V. A few tweeks and you can be doing 0-60 in 4.3. Some heavy tweeks and you proably can brake the 4.0 barrier.
Bob

The only thing I preferred on the C6 was the heads up display, more features, although I would not be offended if GM put the C6 motor in the XLR.

Yes, any LS-series motor. Particularly, an LS-3 with cylinder deactivation or some form of active fuel management.

I digress, but you may indeed miss the torque, even if your LS1 had been stock, b_pappy.

You didn't mention the XLR's model year or your C5 suspension or trans, but if the X is pre-2008, you may notice the older magnetic ride suspension feels and behaves considerably different than the improved 2008-on version. Although I was told that the revised suspension also included a rear anti-roll bar (and thought an early press release said so), that seems to be incorrect. In any case, they're easily added, but while I'd put one on the pre-2008 cars, I'm not sure the newer generation needs one. Also, if it's pre-2007, it won't have the new 6-speed transmission.

Most XLR's are going to be tighter and a bit quieter with the top down than a C5 vert- no comparison with the tops up, of course. You didn't mention a C6 vert, but it'd be somewhere in between the two, quiet-wise. and significantly tighter than the C5. But it doesn't have a retractable hardtop.

The choice is totally subjective, and everybody's different. If you've had the C5 from new and it's in great shape, it'd be nice to be able to have both for some period of time in case you changed your mind. Otherwise, that might not be an issue since there are a number of them around.

Either way, there are worse problems to have. Good luck.

Only the V has the rear sway bar installed at the factory, no matter what the year.

Bruce

Update: Bruce has purchased a Steel Blue XLR. Let's hope he still has the vette.

:rolleyes

Hope it turns out great, either way.

Re: the invisible rear bar. FYI and FWIW, check on the right side of this link, 3/4 down the page under 'Suspension.' That's a fairly big 'oops' considering the source. :)

http://cadillac-xlr.com/_wsn/page19.html

I have a C5 and owned a C6 vert for a couple of years. After driving a friend's XLR a few months, I decided that getting a used one might be the way to go. It isn't as fast or fun as the C6, but it would make a good daily driver.

My question: Is the quality of the XLR any better than the C6, or is about the same?

I have a C5, not a C6. I have no issues with GM quality, but the materials used in the Cadillac interior are superior to the Corvette. However there is little similarity between the two cars, I'm so glad I kept my Corvette, but love my XLR. However I just looked at a 4LT Corvette and they have definitely improved the Corvette, very nice interior.

Bruce