Corvette or XLR

How many Corvette owners will actually convert to an XLR? Is GM competeing with itself, kinda like starbucks, where they are across the street from each other. Since the XLR is being built in Bowling Green where the Corvettes built, do you think the XLR will take away from the Corvette market? I feel that being that the Corvette is 50 years in the making, the production of the XLR should not affect the Corvette. I think this is going to be interesting for GM.

Nah, I don't think it will have any effect on the Corvette market. They are two different types of cars. The XLR is to compete with the upper scale sport sedans like the Mercedes SL line. Once they put some more HP in the XLR and have a couple of years to work out the bugs I would seriously consider getting one. I was thinking of going with Mercedes but the XLR is giving me pause.

I think if anything it will go the opposite way. The guys that always drive the caddies will stop and think the XLR is similar and maybe give the vette a try. I dont see a huge segment of the existing vette crowd going to a caddy no matter how close in design it is. Just MHO

Well I don't think there is any danger of the Corvette loosing sales to the XLR. Mainly because there are only going to be 2000 XLR's built in 2003. That is a big difference from the Corvette production also the demand for Corvette versus the # of people that will put out the cash for the XLR. :cheers

I doubt anyone of us CorvetteForum.com members would SWITCH to the XLR, a few might buy an XLR too though. As far as taking away from Corvette sales, with the new C6 coming out, GM won't be able to make enough for atleast the first year of production. Also, a loaded Z06 is only 50 grand American, an XLR is 75 I believe. I don't think thats much competition:cheers

XLR would make a nice beater car. XLR relationship will improve the Corvette. :yesnod

Originally posted by cadillacman
XLR would make a nice beater car. XLR relationship will improve the Corvette. :yesnod

Hmmmm...that sorta scares me too. Corvettes are already percieved to be "an old mans car" as it is a lot of the time. Toss some cadillac into the mix......

im trying to get my mom to get one!
she likes it but she thinks its too "young" looking!
but im not trading my C5 any time soon

While the two cars may be made at the same plant, and built off the same platform, they are still two very different vehicles intended for two very different audiences.

It is my goal that I will always have a Corvette in my stable for the rest of my life. As much as I like the XLR, I can't say the same thing about Cadillac.

The Corvette is all-out performance.. I don't see why anybody would convert unless they were no longer interested in a performance vehicle... The XLR will be quick - but it wont be 'fast' by today's standards...

Originally posted by cadillacman
XLR would make a nice beater car. XLR relationship will improve the Corvette. :yesnod :iagree

I'd like to have an XLR to go along with my Corvette. As time goes on I continue to mod the 'vette. IF I had an XLR that I could use as a daily driver I'd probably go all out on a head/cam package for the Corvette.

Why get rid of the Vette when owning both sounds even better. :D

Originally posted by Z06Joe
Why get rid of the Vette when owning both sounds even better. :D

That's the perfect answer. :)

Originally posted by Z06Joe
Why get rid of the Vette when owning both sounds even better. :D

:iagree

The vette has so much "fun factor" I don't think that the XLR can compete with that. Now if I was too old for the vette the XLR would be a good choice.

I hope there are some converts -- those who wish Corvette were plusher, quieter, with more features and gadgets. I honestly believe they will be happier with the XLR -- power hardtop, high-quality interior, DOHC engine, OnStar, XM, yadda yadda yadda.

However, I think many potential XLR owners will be turned off by the Corvette connection, or more specifically Corvette fanatics and Corvette's blue-collar reputation.

Owners of a MB-SL or SC430 have no fear of an SLK or Supra owner approaching them in a parking lot and simultaneously gushing over and putting down their exclusive luxury/performance machine. But this will happen to XLR owners. "Wow, nice car. You know it's just like my Corvette, except not as fast."

.Jinx

Originally posted by Troy Roberts
I'd like to have an XLR to go along with my Corvette. As time goes on I continue to mod the 'vette. IF I had an XLR that I could use as a daily driver I'd probably go all out on a head/cam package for the Corvette.

:iagree

hmmm. $50,000 v. $80,000?

I'll keep the Vette. But if I happen to strike it big on my next project, I hope to buy an XLR. They would make excellent stablemates in the garage. I just got to figure out how to keep the wife from driving either one of them.
:cheers

I want to get the new Corvette C-6 when they come out.:cheers

Interesting discussion. A friend on the inside at GM told me that when the XLR protos first arrived at the Proving Ground, the Northstar XLR was faster than the Z06. According to this person, GM made the decision to "de-tune" the XLR because nothing in the GM stable would be allowed to outperform the Corvette.

XLR faster than the Z06? This doesn't pass the common-sense test. Tires, for starters. Displacement. Mass. Z06 is wicked-quick.

I agree with you entirely. However, this is a person that is in the know. He/she is directly involved. The Northstar must have been highly modified. About the tires, it may be that the prototypes arrived with entirely different running gear than you see now. When the engine was "de-tuned", the drivetrain would likely have changed with it. What you are saying makes sense, but this particular person is very involved with the performance characteristics of both the XLR and the Vette at the Proving Ground and I believe what he/she tells me.

In the know or not, I must respectfully throw the BS flag. If it was faster, it wasn't an XLR -- it was a ringer never intended for production.

And if I had a nickel for every time I heard someone refer to GM's "policy" about Corvette not being exceeded despite well-known historical evidence to the contrary, I'd be ready to buy an XLR today.

Your friend's story is what's known as a Tall Tale. It sure is a cool anecdote but it just doesn't jive.

.Jinx

You don't know this respected friend or his/her reputation as I do, and that is important. I believe what I was told, but I certainly respect your opinion. Thanks for responding.

Originally posted by MarWen
You don't know this respected friend or his/her reputation as I do, and that is important. I believe what I was told, but I certainly respect your opinion. Thanks for responding.
:bs

My insider works directly with the XLR, I've asked this question and this never happened.

5.7L at 405HP v. 4.6L at 315 HP

A base corvette will still be faster (and always has).

Originally posted by MarWen
Interesting discussion. A friend on the inside at GM told me that when the XLR protos first arrived at the Proving Ground, the Northstar XLR was faster than the Z06. According to this person, GM made the decision to "de-tune" the XLR because nothing in the GM stable would be allowed to outperform the Corvette.

Then there was the Typhoon and the Syclone.