I am completely content after trading mine in Aug '15.
My current Cadillac is a luxurious car, with plenty of power, loads of amenities, and AWD for those times when I need it. While I considered keeping the XLR as a "toy" for sunny day drives, after looking at the big picture, I didn't want to deal with the hassle and expense of maintaining and insuring an "extra" car along with the two I presently own. It was time for new tires and shocks and there was no way I could justify the expense of throwing thousands of dollars (for pretty routine wear and tear parts) at a vehicle I really didn't need. With parts shortages becoming an issue, it was an easy choice. It's just a car, not something that defines me,--like Harleys & Vettes do to some people. I had a lot of fun driving it in CA year-round, but after six years of ownership, it was time to move on.
I'm still watching and waiting for Cadillac to build another cool car that I just, "have to have." I had hopes the CT6 would approach the mark, but it's pretty underwhelming after so much pre-production hype. It's nice -but not
that nice. Sales numbers bear me out.
Cadillac has produced three stylish head-turners in the last decade: The XLR, the CTS-V coupe, and the ELR. They embody the Art & Science theme very well and are rolling advertisements for the brand. Anytime I see one of these at a light, I notice people craning their necks to get a better look; these models have that kind of
presence. Place a white ATS, CTS, and CT6 parked end to end, and step back. They all look nearly identical from a distance - length notwithstanding. They aren't ugly, but they just don't have the emotional pull the three other cars I mentioned exert. As Cadillac goes more euro-centric and softens the lines of their models, their unique American design language is diminished.
Take a concept car like the Cien for example. That's an in-your-face testament to out-of-the-box design. Build it well, stock it full, and price it at $200k as a true halo car. It isn't meant to be sold to the masses -it's an advertising statement to show what's possible from a company that screams American innovation. Instead, Cadillac goes timid, afraid to sir up controversy, trying to fit in. They need to design their own niche, not try to borrow cues from others. Make other car manufacturers take notice and emulate what they do instead. Produce Cadillacs, (like the XLR) that make young people whisper to themselves, "Someday. . . " when they drive past are just not being built.
The CT6 (supposed to be the successor to the XTS) sold less than half the numbers of the XTS last month, and has yet to surpass it since it's introduction in March. Meanwhile, the XTS --due to be phased out, has been given an extension to at least 2020 with a major refresh coming. This is telling for a brand that is suffering an identity crisis. The total confusion regarding model naming conventions is just one example of this. We have an alphabet soup of alphanumeric names, but then there's the Escalade . . .
Deciding whether or not to keep your XLR is a personal decision only you can make. I don't make my decisions for expensive items based on emotion anymore, so it was easy to let go and move on. Others are totally guided by their emotional connection and I get that too. I'm not running a museum or want to spend my weekends tinkering (though I don't mind detailing and polishing one bit.) I've owned some cool cars over the years, but I have no regrets or longing for any of them. Each new car I drive brings more to the table in terms of features, comfort, and overall enjoyment. I'm an-in-the-moment kind of guy finally.
So I tried to do the next best thing by staying active in the community and helping out where I can. (This is really the only viable XLR site left now.) I get just as much satisfaction from helping XLR enthusiasts as I did from taking that last lingering peek at my XLR before the garage light was switched off, grateful to own one after waiting so long for the opportunity.
Years ago, (I'm dating myself here) I worked as a tech on a Texas Instruments home computer assembly line, fixing thousands of the things over the course of almost a year. I recently discovered a website devoted to this machine by users who are still fanatical about it. I offer advice for people trying to fix them and it's a lot of fun. I don't even own one of these systems anymore, but it's a chance to help out those that do. It's pretty humbling to have built something people are still so happy with after so long.
My long-winded point is, no matter what you decide to do with your car, you can still be connected with it even if there isn't one parked in your garage if you want, if just for the sake of nostalgia or a desire to help out. It's all good.
CC