I did it...

[Ozzie]

Well I did it, I bought a 'one owner' 2007 Black XLR V w/19K miles today. I just new I wouldn't be happy down the road with the base model. I won't get it until next week because I'm having the local Cadillac dealer go through everything before I make the 6-hour trip to pick it up.

Question; I was reading on here about "outer skin made of sheet molding composite (SMC)" is that another way of saying the same as my C6 Corvette or is that Carbin fiber???


*Any 'new owner' pointers? Having a C6, I know about using a batter tender.

 

[mtrocket]

Well I did it, I bought a 'one owner' 2007 Black XLR V w/19K miles today. I just new I wouldn't be happy down the road with the base model. I won't get it until next week because I'm having the local Cadillac dealer go through everything before I make the 6-hour trip to pick it up.

Question; I was reading on here about "outer skin made of sheet molding composite (SMC)" is that another way of saying the same as my C6 Corvette or is that Carbin fiber???


*Any 'new owner' pointers? Having a C6, I know about using a batter tender.

CONGRATS on your purchase!!!!! SMC is the same as what is on your Corvette... almost like a rubberized plastic. As far as "new owner" pointers, most of your upcoming questions have probably been answered somewhere on this forum; just do a search for your problem or question, but if you don't find the answer you're looking for, don't hesitate to ask... there is a lot of information to be garnered from the members on here.

I know it's a LONG drive... but you should think about coming out to Montana June, 2013 for our drive. I promise, you won't regret it!!!

 

[Crimson Pearl]

*Any 'new owner' pointers? Having a C6, I know about using a batter tender.

Read the owner's manual cover to cover. It's also available here on this site.

Consider an Odyssey battery when it comes time to replace yours.

 

[airmike]

Ozzie, where did you buy your car? Glad to hear you finally found one. Be sure to put pics on here.

 

[Ozzie]

Ozzie, where did you buy your car? Glad to hear you finally found one. Be sure to put pics on here.

The other side of Buffalo , NY. That's around 200-miles west of Fulton. I just got the Car Fax... it was a one owner lease out of Canada. <!-- google_ad_section_end -->

 

[XLRATING]

Congratulations! Hope you're not shy because you're about to get LOTS of attention. I got two "I want to trade my car for yours right now" offers at stoplights just today. All in jest but fun anyway.

There's lots of great info & knowledgeable people on this site. I've learned a ton here. Explore the site & you will too.

As for pointers, plenty of others here can tell you more than I can, but really do read the manual, especially about using the top. Actually do the silly things like putting the visors out of the way whether putting the top up or down, & finishing the top cycle if you stop in the middle (if it's going up, finish putting it up).

These links give key info too:

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadillac-xlr-general-discussion/5344-check-c-evaporator-drain.html

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...309-make-sure-you-check-your-trunk-drain.html

The last one is really important - the brains for the top & ride control are in a "bucket" in the trunk. If water sits in there, expect $$$$$ to replace the fried electronics.

The most important pointer: ENJOY YOUR NEW RIDE!

 

[Johnxlrv]

Very nice!

I am not sure of any special V upkeep vs the base other than changing the dexcool more often.

the 4.4l is a special motor...hand built by one mechanic, balanced, blueprinted w/titanium components.

 

[mtrocket]

One thing along the lines of reading the manual from cover to cover... learn to MANUALLY put the top up and down - practice several times - just in case. You never know; these cars seem to have minds of their own at times...

 

[Ozzie]

Congratulations! Hope you're not shy because you're about to get LOTS of attention. I got two "I want to trade my car for yours right now" offers at stoplights just today. All in jest but fun anyway.

There's lots of great info & knowledgeable people on this site. I've learned a ton here. Explore the site & you will too.

As for pointers, plenty of others here can tell you more than I can, but really do read the manual, especially about using the top. Actually do the silly things like putting the visors out of the way whether putting the top up or down, & finishing the top cycle if you stop in the middle (if it's going up, finish putting it up).

These links give key info too:

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadillac-xlr-general-discussion/5344-check-c-evaporator-drain.html

https://www.xlr-net.com/forums/cadi...309-make-sure-you-check-your-trunk-drain.html

The last one is really important - the brains for the top & ride control are in a "bucket" in the trunk. If water sits in there, expect $$$$$ to replace the fried electronics.

The most important pointer: ENJOY YOUR NEW RIDE!

Thanks everyone, when I pick up the car next week I'll read the manual (BTW; I alway do). I'm sure the 'V' will turn lots of heads but nothing get more attention than when I drive my Black '59 Corvette w/White Coves & Red Int. It was on the cover of Corvette Fever Mag w/6-pages on the inside: 1959 Chevrolet Corvette - Pristine Restored C1 Roadster - Corvette Fever Magazine

Ques: 1. Reg or Prem Fuel?
2. How easy is it to post my pictures on here?
3. I'm a bit of a 'do-it-myself-er' How hard is an oil change?
4. Are there XLR clubs (like my Corvette club)
5. Will the Nav system need updates, & if so- how?
6. If I drive in the rain... I dry the car off before putting the top down-Right?
7. I won't but, has anyone ever driven in the snow???

* Thanks for making me feel welcome!

 

[airmike]

1-premium fuel
2-i put my pics to photobucket and then paste the link to the forum
3-simple as any car to change oil, with the exception of jacking in the correct manner (like the
vette)
4-???
5-it uses dvd's to run the nav., the newest being the 09 model and not updatable beyond that
6-dry it before putting the top down unless you want the trunk wet, but you can drive with the topdown in a mist.
7-yes i have driven in the snow as I am sure others have. I am a rear wheel drive kinda guy
anyway had no problems driving home from NY, and around a walmart in about 4" of snow. I
didn't want to but that is what I had to do to get mine home. Didn't think I would ever get it
cleaned up again!

 

[Johnxlrv]

Nav disk...even the 'latest version' has nothing on apple or Verizon navigator...save your money there.

Check the other areas for tires...you prob still have the Pirelli run-flats. From an age perspective, time to change those! Research non run flats for a better ride & performance.

If you have a C6, the exhaust valves power for a mild to wild are not in the fuse block. They are in the trunk compartment - next to the hydraulic pump and ride control computer (the same place you need to check for trapped water)...I leave mine open around town lol!...new kits are 65 dollars.

Oh and your seats are heated and cooled...I don,t remember the technology behind them...a single device that heats or cools when the polarity changes

 

[First Robin]

Thanks everyone, when I pick up the car next week I'll read the manual (BTW; I alway do). I'm sure the 'V' will turn lots of heads but nothing get more attention than when I drive my Black '59 Corvette w/White Coves & Red Int. It was on the cover of Corvette Fever Mag w/6-pages on the inside: 1959 Chevrolet Corvette - Pristine Restored C1 Roadster - Corvette Fever Magazine

Ques: 1. Reg or Prem Fuel?
2. How easy is it to post my pictures on here?
3. I'm a bit of a 'do-it-myself-er' How hard is an oil change?
4. Are there XLR clubs (like my Corvette club)
5. Will the Nav system need updates, & if so- how?
6. If I drive in the rain... I dry the car off before putting the top down-Right?
7. I won't but, has anyone ever driven in the snow???

* Thanks for making me feel welcome!

To answer #4, yes there are clubs. You might want to check out www.cadillaclasalleclub.org there is an Allante-XLR Chapter of the Cadillac LaSalle Club. www.allante-xlr-clc.org . I am a member of both here in Arizona and both are very active with meetings, car shows, trips and so forth, lots of fun and wonderful people with great Cadillac's.

 

[XFireXLR]

Congrats and best of luck with your "V".

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ozzie]

Nav disk...even the 'latest version' has nothing on apple or Verizon navigator...save your money there.

Check the other areas for tires...you prob still have the Pirelli run-flats. From an age perspective, time to change those! Research non run flats for a better ride & performance.

If you have a C6, the exhaust valves power for a mild to wild are not in the fuse block. They are in the trunk compartment - next to the hydraulic pump and ride control computer (the same place you need to check for trapped water)...I leave mine open around town lol!...new kits are 65 dollars.

Oh and your seats are heated and cooled...I don,t remember the technology behind them...a single device that heats or cools when the polarity changes

The 'V' has an adjustment on the exhaust??? My C6 was a 2006 Z-51 (just before that option) didn't have that, so I changed it over to Bora @ a week old... I just sold it, so the V will be its replacement. Here's my plan; Perfect-warm-sunny days, short trips & car shows > '59, all other days (except snow) XLR. Also, on the C6 premium or regular fuel could be used depending on performance wanted, is it the same with the V or is that "Premium ONLY"?

Also-
I asked the dealer if the tires were orginal and he said he didn't think so (I'll check the dates when I pick the car up next week). I'm a stickler on good tires, what's everyone's choice on their V?

 

[GizmoQ]

Thanks everyone, when I pick up the car next week I'll read the manual (BTW; I alway do). I'm sure the 'V' will turn lots of heads but nothing get more attention than when I drive my Black '59 Corvette w/White Coves & Red Int. It was on the cover of Corvette Fever Mag w/6-pages on the inside: 1959 Chevrolet Corvette - Pristine Restored C1 Roadster - Corvette Fever Magazine

Ques: 1. Reg or Prem Fuel?
2. How easy is it to post my pictures on here?
3. I'm a bit of a 'do-it-myself-er' How hard is an oil change?
4. Are there XLR clubs (like my Corvette club)
5. Will the Nav system need updates, & if so- how?
6. If I drive in the rain... I dry the car off before putting the top down-Right?
7. I won't but, has anyone ever driven in the snow???

* Thanks for making me feel welcome!

1. Premium Only
2. Like AirMike I use photoBucket
3. Not bad, but get the jack Pucks if you don't already have them.
4. This forum's members don't have a formal 501C-style club, but we have lots of activities (see Events subforum)
5. The latest XLR nav disk is GM Part Number 25979939U, version number is Rev.8. Others have had limited success with newer editions, but I'm with JohnXLRV and use googlemaps on my phone as backup.
6. You might want to invest in a Water Blade to keep in the interior cab and use it on the decklid anytime you need to open the trunk with water on it. (the design will always drain the water into the trunk otherwise).
7. Yes, and with my my extra wide summer only tires it wasn't fun. I do have a set of Blizzaks in the garage mounted on the stock rims if the need ever arises again.

 

[Ozzie]

1. Premium Only
2. Like AirMike I use photoBucket
3. Not bad, but get the jack Pucks if you don't already have them.
4. This forum's members don't have a formal 501C-style club, but we have lots of activities (see Events subforum)
5. The latest XLR nav disk is GM Part Number 25979939U, version number is Rev.8. Others have had limited success with newer editions, but I'm with JohnXLRV and use googlemaps on my phone as backup.
6. You might want to invest in a Water Blade to keep in the interior cab and use it on the decklid anytime you need to open the trunk with water on it. (the design will always drain the water into the trunk otherwise).
7. Yes, and with my my extra wide summer only tires it wasn't fun. I do have a set of Blizzaks in the garage mounted on the stock rims if the need ever arises again.

Thanks GizmoQ;

Are they the same jack pucks used on my C6 ?
How would I get limited success with newer editions ?
With the Blizzaks, you wouldn't have a problem driving in the snow?

 

[GizmoQ]

Thanks GizmoQ;

Are they the same jack pucks used on my C6 ?

Yes

How would I get limited success with newer editions ?

Click on the underlined link and read the thread

With the Blizzaks, you wouldn't have a problem driving in the snow?

Better, but not great.

 

[Ozzie]

I'll try photobucket.

 

[Crimson Pearl]

I took the liberty of posting my favorite from your photos of the '59, hope you don't mind.

I have always loved the contrasting colors between the body and the coves on these cars, and no other color combination illustates this as well as yours. Beautiful car!

 

[Ozzie]

I took the liberty of posting my favorite from your photos of the '59, hope you don't mind.

I have always loved the contrasting colors between the body and the coves on these cars, and no other color combination illustates this as well as yours. Beautiful car!

That's my baby...Owning a classic car is like dating a woman who's out of your class - very high maintenance & demanding of your time & money (and... I wouldn't have it any other way).