XLR-V Overpriced at a $100K MSRP

[b4z]

So much for GM's new value pricing.
Don't see how the V can be 100K when the
Z06 is 65K.

[AsAkAs]

Originally Posted by b4z

So much for GM's new value pricing.
Don't see how the V can be 100K when the
Z06 is 65K.

Source? Info? Quote?

[davesdeville]

The realization that the XLR and Corvette are different cars aimed at different markets...

[jlbunting]

Cadillac
STS-V
$77,000.00 MSRP
4.4L V8 469hp

XLR-V
$100,00.00 MSRP
4.4L V8 443hp


Mercedes Benz
E55 AMG it starts at $82,575*
AMG-built 5.5L 24-valve V-8 engine - 469 hp @ 6,100 rpm

SL55 AMG
$125,775*
AMG-built supercharged 5.5L 24-valve V-8 engine - 493 hp @ 6,100 rpm


BMW
M5
MSRP $81,200
10 engine, with a five-liter capacity, 10 cylinders, 500-hp (SAE net) output, 383 lb-ft maximum torque, and engine speeds in excess of 8,000 rpm.

[AsAkAs]

Originally Posted by jlbunting

Cadillac
STS-V
$77,000.00 MSRP
4.4L V8 469hp

XLR-V
$100,00.00 MSRP
4.4L V8 443hp


Mercedes Benz
E55 AMG it starts at $82,575*
AMG-built 5.5L 24-valve V-8 engine - 469 hp @ 6,100 rpm

SL55 AMG
$125,775*
AMG-built supercharged 5.5L 24-valve V-8 engine - 493 hp @ 6,100 rpm


BMW
M5
MSRP $81,200
10 engine, with a five-liter capacity, 10 cylinders, 500-hp (SAE net) output, 383 lb-ft maximum torque, and engine speeds in excess of 8,000 rpm.

It's definatly priced right, but for these types of cars it's honestly not that important. People who pay 100k for a car just want the best, and they want everyone to know they have the best, that's why they're paying 77k afterall, and not 41k on a base model STSV8. At least, that's my view, caddy knows what they're doing... if they can get people to think wow... the STS-V and XLR-V are among the best cars in the world... then they can raise prices even more, and people will still buy them, right now it looks like a deal, but Like I said, I dont think most people spending that much money on a car really care about "getting a good deal" lol, they have so much money it doesn't matter. They just want the best and nothing less

Hell, BMW gets away with it every 3 series they sell.

[jlbunting]

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=107463

Cadillac Slaps $100,000 Tag on XLR-V
Date Posted 10-04-2005

DETROIT — Cadillac's new XLR-V, the performance variant of the hardtop roadster, will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $100,000 when it arrives in showrooms later this year. The companion STS-V sedan will be priced at about $77,000.

The XLR-V is fitted with a supercharged, 4.4-liter version of General Motors' Northstar V8. The engine makes 440 horsepower and drives the rear wheels through a new six-speed automatic with manual-shift capability. Cadillac claims 0-to-60-mph acceleration in fewer than 5 seconds.

Also due this fall is the STS-V, which shares the supercharged, 4.4-liter unit and six-speed gearbox. Like the XLR-V, the high-performance sedan gets larger wheels and tires, along with the appropriate suspension modifications.

In a related move, GM announced that 49-year-old Bob Kruse will replace Mark Reuss, 42, as head of the company's performance division, which is responsible for development of the V-Series Cadillacs, among other goodies. Kruse retains his title as executive director of North America vehicle integration, while Reuss shifts to executive director of vehicle systems.

What this means to you: For about $25,000 less than the price of a Mercedes SL55 AMG, you can drive a 440-hp Cadillac roadster.

[Nocturn]

Chevy is not Cadillac, and the Corvette is not the XLR despite similarities. That folding hardtop alone illustrates that.

[Pete Benson]

A huge mistake! Even if the car is worth every penny of 100K, Cadillac's renaissance is not complete enough yet nor established enough in the perception of the public as a whole to make it swallow a price point this high for a Cadillac.

Overpricing is partly what killed the Allante, and it's easy to believe that the same thing could happen to the XLR - V Series as well.

The XLR is an image car more than anything else, and Cadillac should lower the price to no more than $90,000 at the absolute max. Even if Caddy has to swallow a bundle on every one, it would be worth it to help prove the excellence of the car to the maximum number of customers actually willing and able to pay that kind of change for a car which, let's face it - they don't actually NEED, and as long as all of Cadillac's other models are terrific as well, that's where the profits will come from.

[Vrocks]

I also feel that it's a huge mistake but the price is ultimately decided by consumers, so if it does or doesn't sell well the price could change.

[berkin]

Has anyone here driven the new XLR-V to find out if it is overpriced?

[Crozier]

Originally Posted by berkin

Has anyone here driven the new XLR-V to find out if it is overpriced?

[MCaesar]

Originally Posted by Pete Benson

A huge mistake! Even if the car is worth every penny of 100K, Cadillac's renaissance is not complete enough yet nor established enough in the perception of the public as a whole to make it swallow a price point this high for a Cadillac.

Overpricing is partly what killed the Allante, and it's easy to believe that the same thing could happen to the XLR - V Series as well.

The XLR is an image car more than anything else, and Cadillac should lower the price to no more than $90,000 at the absolute max. Even if Caddy has to swallow a bundle on every one, it would be worth it to help prove the excellence of the car to the maximum number of customers actually willing and able to pay that kind of change for a car which, let's face it - they don't actually NEED, and as long as all of Cadillac's other models are terrific as well, that's where the profits will come from.

No matter how good the car is technically, and it is good, there are still two problems to overcome at that price tag:

1. No one thinks of Cadillac as equivalent to Mercedes so there must be a significant price savings.

2. Cadillac has to overcome anti-American bias when it comes to quality. Personally, my last 3 American cars all went over 200,000 so I don't have it. But many consumers feel that the Japanese and Germans build higher quality cars.

Come in low, build market share, and then raise prices after the public loves you. Remember how the first LS400 came in at $35,000?

Also, the XLR-V will be significantly down on power compared to the SL55. Not only is down 20HP, it is probably down about 75 lb-ft of torque.

Look at how dealers are discounting CTS-Vs like mad whereas Chrysler is still getting over sticker for their SRT8s.

Price low!

[Nocturn]

1. There is, check MBs quality levels recently.
2. V=M*A...Check the weights on the SL55...its got about 4-500 LBS on the XLRV.

[MCaesar]

Originally Posted by Nocturn

1. There is, check MBs quality levels recently.
2. V=M*A...Check the weights on the SL55...its got about 4-500 LBS on the XLRV.

1. Mercedes quality problems have come from the ML and the A class, not the SL. Even more important than actual data, public perception is that the SL is a higher quality and higher status automobile than a Cadillac.

2. The Mercedes has 493 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque versus 440 and 425. Even if you assumed the XLR-V comes in at 500 pounds lighter that is still 8.95 pounds for each lb-ft of torque versus 8.35 pounds for each lb-ft of torque for the Mercedes. Add to that the SL55 develops more torque down low and I see a clear power advantage for the SL55.

We wil see when the rubber hits the road in a couple of months.

[Afreet1]

Originally Posted by Nocturn

1. There is, check MBs quality levels recently.
2. V=M*A...Check the weights on the SL55...its got about 4-500 LBS on the XLRV.

First of all it is F=M*A (Newton's second law), but to the point the power / weight of the XLR-V is .1157 or 8.65 lbs/HP, the SL55 is .1164 or 8.59 lbs/HP

but if this slight edge isn't enough to guarantee victory then you can visit
Renntech at http://www.renntechmercedes.com/pdf/R230.pdf and get yourself 50 more HP and Torque for $5k or up to 120 more HP / tq if you want to pay about 16k.

I don't think any tuners exist for caddy nor from the discussion here is there a lot you could do to the N* to squeeze out more power.