I would like to start a list of the outstanding XLR Techs across the country. Please offer your 'personal example' and also your 'reason for offering the Tech's name'. I am seeing a trend here that I may just be able to help get 'great owners together with great Techs'. If the rep. from Cadillac reads this, please contact me here. (post or PM)
GREAT XLR Techs
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AzGeo,
I think this is a really good idea in theory but. . .
As a big privacy advocate, I'm not convinced everyone wants their real name splashed on the internet (whether they're considered great by us or not.) A quick check of the handles in use on most forums will back that up.
A request was made to Cadillac at least once that I know of for a listing of XLR techs in the US. This went unanswered. Either they don't know, or as a company policy, don't release employees names, which is pretty standard.
However . . . I don't know of a dealership that isn't listed on the internet in one form or another. I think it would be just as beneficial to get owner's opinions of the good dealerships (with great techs) and list those instead.
Just my .02,
CC
I think this is a really good idea in theory but. . .
As a big privacy advocate, I'm not convinced everyone wants their real name splashed on the internet (whether they're considered great by us or not.) A quick check of the handles in use on most forums will back that up.
A request was made to Cadillac at least once that I know of for a listing of XLR techs in the US. This went unanswered. Either they don't know, or as a company policy, don't release employees names, which is pretty standard.
However . . . I don't know of a dealership that isn't listed on the internet in one form or another. I think it would be just as beneficial to get owner's opinions of the good dealerships (with great techs) and list those instead.
Just my .02,
CC
Sure you have a good points there, but I seek this info for another purpose. With each passing day, the parts required for these cars dwindle in numbers and sources.... When I lived in So Cal there was a company around the corner from my business called "Delorean I" They were always busy and it was not just 'the same old cars' parked there or storage. I understand that the shop was/is one of few that continued to offer service and locate/supply parts for those cars. Allante, Northstar, XLR...... and here we are even talking about TIRES already. I would like to contact a number of Techs, Parts Pros, Salvage Yards to get a better overall view of "amount of business VS cost of creating/doing this kind of business. It may need to be an "XLR, Northstar, Corvette, ZR1, LT, & LS engine" specialty shop, to stay afloat. I don't yet know the particulars, but I think I will take a good look. Maybe it should include a 'collision center' along with accessories. I'm in a little town on the west coast of Arizona and I would operate the business here, with secure towing and transport as part of it. We can 'talk here' or please PM me if you prefer. Thanks !AzGeo,
I think this is a really good idea in theory but. . .
As a big privacy advocate, I'm not convinced everyone wants their real name splashed on the internet (whether they're considered great by us or not.) A quick check of the handles in use on most forums will back that up.
A request was made to Cadillac at least once that I know of for a listing of XLR techs in the US. This went unanswered. Either they don't know, or as a company policy, don't release employees names, which is pretty standard.
However . . . I don't know of a dealership that isn't listed on the internet in one form or another. I think it would be just as beneficial to get owner's opinions of the good dealerships (with great techs) and list those instead.
Just my .02,
CC
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Okay, that makes more sense. You want to interview techs to learn what it will take to open a business and compete against them. Good luck with that, especially after telling the world about it online. Please don't take my reply to be confrontational; it isn't meant to be.
You do make a valid point, XLRs aren't the easiest vehicles to find good service and parts for, and that's not going to get any better with the passage of time. As a niche business competing against GM in a far corner of the West, you would have your work cut out for you. When servicing a Delorean, there wasn't ever any real competition, so a comparison isn't equitable.
If 19" rear runflat tires for the V's are made of unobtainium, then owners will be forced to run regular tires or switch to 18" runflats. There isn't much anyone can do to fix that situation if the major tire manufactures discontinue production of a particular product. It may suck, but life isn't fair. We improvise, adapt, and move forward.
CC
You do make a valid point, XLRs aren't the easiest vehicles to find good service and parts for, and that's not going to get any better with the passage of time. As a niche business competing against GM in a far corner of the West, you would have your work cut out for you. When servicing a Delorean, there wasn't ever any real competition, so a comparison isn't equitable.
If 19" rear runflat tires for the V's are made of unobtainium, then owners will be forced to run regular tires or switch to 18" runflats. There isn't much anyone can do to fix that situation if the major tire manufactures discontinue production of a particular product. It may suck, but life isn't fair. We improvise, adapt, and move forward.
CC
I don't think the Techs would know about 'opening a business' or be a help to me other than 'being a Tech'. They may not want to compete, but join. I live in a nice little town. From my experience, a business like this would not be opened 'next month or maybe not even next year'. I announced my desire to investigate and speak with people who I feel are in the mainstream of this subject. There was/is no 'toe to toe challenge' with Cad or GM dealers, foremost because my employees would be happy to come to work, and with a better pay structure. I might point out that over the past 60 years there have been a number of "Corvette Specialists" shops across the country, and many co-existed with GM dealers right around the corner. Thinking out loud, I might also need to 'throw in' SSR's to pay the bills but (IMHO) there are a number of 'single location, back alley shops' that have done very well over the years. I do thank you all for any input and suggestions along the way. I do see Cad/GM as a Source but not a Resource and that (IMHO) is what will be required by owners of these vehicles when GM stops producing 'parts and services' for them. GM line Techs will 'move onto the new models' and our vehicles (and their querks) will be forgotten. I'm not interested in the 'low hanging fruit' of finding parts, and selling them to needy customers at a slight mark up. I'm looking to be a Resource for all things XLR (and whatever other cars, engines, etc) from 'catalog sales' to 'secure livery for service' within the US and Canada. This may be too difficult, too costly, too time consuming, I just don't know right now. I do know there is no shop like this right now.
The tire problem is a perfect example of this shop being a Resource for XLR owners. In contact with wheel makers and tire makers, a number of "tire and or wheel and tire choices" could be offered. Few owners and even fewer tire shops have the time to "test fit" tires, wheels and different combinations on each vehicle. Discounted tires, wheels, alignments and trade in on used wheels, could make 'one more XLR owner happy'.
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Regarding the numerous Corvette shops that exist in virtually every major metropolitan area of the country, (and many smaller towns as well) that's due in large part to the fact that Corvettes are probably the best-selling, specialty performance cars in this country. Hardly a day passes that I don't see any on the road. I see maybe two or three XLRs a year here in Sacramento.
Corvette and Harley Davidson share a name-brand recognition factor that's hard to beat. Most owners are rabid enthusiasts and customization options abound. The XLR while nice, was a fad by comparison.
As a business, you would definately need to expand your lineup to ensure a steady income stream. With the low volume production of the XLR, (and fewer on the roads each year) it would be economic suicide to not diversify.
CC
Corvette and Harley Davidson share a name-brand recognition factor that's hard to beat. Most owners are rabid enthusiasts and customization options abound. The XLR while nice, was a fad by comparison.
As a business, you would definately need to expand your lineup to ensure a steady income stream. With the low volume production of the XLR, (and fewer on the roads each year) it would be economic suicide to not diversify.
CC
You are correct, and the business I have in mind would not "cater to the masses", but rather "cultivate a prime segment of these chosen markets". Yes I included Corvettes, along with OTHER GM vehicles and products to gain a more broad based market. I 'get' the business part of this, I have owned/operated a world renown specialty marine business for almost 40 years. Posting here without offering 'due respect' to XLR owners (IMHO) would have been disrespectful in a number of ways, and so I 'worded my posts HERE with XLR owners in mind'. Today there are a small number of businesses who specialize in Cadillac 501 motors, and they all have done so successfully for over a decade. This seems to be a counterpoint to your "branding of Corvette and Harley". Because, how many here know what a Cadillac 501 motor is ? I assure you there are many people who do know and they spend money on them. If you were around in the era "1971 through 1983" Corvettes were the scourge of this planet. Many Americans bought Asian because the Vettes were so bad. Harley had it's "little low point" when AMF purchased them and 'bikers' know what they did to the product and also to the BRAND. I wish to thank you for ALL of your input, people like YOU keep me on my toes and willing to THINK everything through, instead of just "flying on personal perspective".
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In the mid 1970's to mid 1980's ALL American car makers were producing products of questionable quality -not just Chevy's Corvette. I can remember ending up with a door handle in my hand as I pulled our family car door shut. That car slowly parted itself out as we drove it.
At one point, Ford was forced to base their ad campaigns on the slogan, "At Ford, Quality is Job One." just to convince/reassure the buying public of a basic concept that should have been a given.
Demming taught the Japanese build quality long before US automakers embraced it - and only after they were threatened by Japanese auto sales. The US luxury market began lagging behind the Europeans and is still playing catch-up to this day.
Harley survived due in large part to a tariff slapped on Japanese imports that supposedly leveled the playing field price-wise. It took a few years before they could get their quality issues straightened out and target their intended audience to great effect.
Large or small, no business can survive without a culture of quality assurance deeply embedded in it's psyche. It's a lot more than just a slogan.
CC
At one point, Ford was forced to base their ad campaigns on the slogan, "At Ford, Quality is Job One." just to convince/reassure the buying public of a basic concept that should have been a given.
Demming taught the Japanese build quality long before US automakers embraced it - and only after they were threatened by Japanese auto sales. The US luxury market began lagging behind the Europeans and is still playing catch-up to this day.
Harley survived due in large part to a tariff slapped on Japanese imports that supposedly leveled the playing field price-wise. It took a few years before they could get their quality issues straightened out and target their intended audience to great effect.
Large or small, no business can survive without a culture of quality assurance deeply embedded in it's psyche. It's a lot more than just a slogan.
CC
If you have a dream go for it. The XLR is a rich persons car and it will be a rich persons collector car. There is a shop in Palm Springs, Ca. that makes a business of restoring and repairing 57 and 58 stainless steel roofed Broughams. There was only a couple thousand of those built. You can ship a car almost anywhere in the country for around $1200 to a specialty repair shop, if you need it bad enough.
There is a company in Auburn Hills, Mich., that bought the left over factory XLR parts. It is SMC Performance, Inc. 1-248-276-0483.
There is a company in Auburn Hills, Mich., that bought the left over factory XLR parts. It is SMC Performance, Inc. 1-248-276-0483.
I just had Crestview Cadillac repair my 2006 XLR. They updated the software/memory and it is working perfectly. I had the "top not secure" message. Since I drove from Long Beach to West Covina, I decided to take full advantage of my visit and have them change the oil/filter as well as that was coming due. They also did a complete diagnostic. Happy camper here with the service level and friendliness. Wayne Bristol was my service consultant and a nice guy. Highly recommend them as well.
Thanks for tip.
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