Cadillac currently doesn’t offer a convertible, but if you wind the clock back by about 15 years, you’ll bump into this – the Cadillac XLR, a front-engine, rear-drive roadster produced between 2003 and 2009. Heading the lineup was the XLR-V, a first-generation V-Series model with a supercharged heartbeat making more than 440 horsepower. Now, this like-new 2008 Cadillac XLR-V is up for sale in Missouri.
For those readers still scratching their heads, here’s a little background – GM unveiled the Cadillac XLR-V in 2005 during Super Bowl XXXIX, with a formal introduction given at the 2005 New York International Auto Show. Under the hood, you’ll find a supercharged 4.4L Northstar V8 engine, the same powerplant that motivates the Cadillac STS-V. Output was rated at 443 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque, which was sent rearwards through a six-speed automatic transmission to yield a sprint to 60 mph around the mid-to-low-four-second range. The quarter mile is dispatched in about 13 seconds flat. Complementing the supercharged V8 is a set of brakes plucked from the Chevy Corvette.
Then, of course, we have the styling. With its low, wide stance, the Cadillac XLR-V still has the looks to get noticed, while the chunky, chiseled lines enhance the car’s blocky appearance to fly in the face of the flowing curves that seem so prevalent on modern sports cars. Drop the retractable hardtop, and this thing looks even better.
Now, this particular example is up for sale in Missouri. Finished in black with a black interior, this 2008 Cadillac XLR-V exudes confidence and a cool demeanor, with the silver mesh seen up front in the air intakes that adorn the front fascia complemented by bits of polished trim, front to back. In the corners, we spot a set of 19-inch wheels, which show an open, multi-spoke design that gives us a glimpse of the drilled brake rotors underneath.
With just 9,282 miles on the clock, this 2008 Cadillac XLR-V is like new. Pricing is listed by Gateway Classic Cars at $88,000. To note, the base price for the XLR-V was set at $104,215 in 2009 ($148,480 in 2023, adjusting for inflation).
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Comments
For $88,000 they could have at least cleaned up the engine bay!
If only they would offer a Cadillac body style for the C8. It would be nice to have a refined look.
Should be sold in no time!!!! Ya right…lol
The XLR was essentially a Corvette chassis wearing a Cadillac body, for a lot more money. That is one of the reasons why they didn’t sell well.
Lol, people downvoted you. Everyone knew it was just a Cadillac Corvette. That’s not a secret, and like the Cadillac Volt it didn’t sell well.
Did you mean Cadillac Cimaron?
That was an earlier era, but sort of the same issue. The Cimarron really should never have happened, since that was a cheap economy car.
I was talking about the ELR.
AKA the Corvette 5.5 (manufactured during the C5 & C6 era). The Missus had a 2005, didn’t like it because when the top was down there was no room in the trunk for girl-like shopping. It was a nice car, never had a lick of a problem with it.
your pop up ads render your presentations unreadable.
Yep every 3 seconds. Can’t read a whole paragraph without a popup
I was interested in purchasing a used one,,supercharged (V). Then I READ WHERE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS Model..heads were leaking..poor gaskets…any way I decided to buy a new Vette instead…still it’s a classy sports car…Met the guy who did by it off the dealer lot(it was a trade in…he paid $3500 for it.. in 2014!
I checked out all the pics on the seller’s website. That’s a lot of wear on the front driver’s seat for only 9500 miles or so. They even took pics of the bottom. Looks like it was driven on muddy dirt roads. Definitely not worth anywhere near the asking price.
That dealer needs to either fire their detail guy or hire one. The frontage-road used car lots around here makes their beaters look a helluva lot better than this, and they ain’t charging $88K…
They are documented miles, the dealership is in Illinois and has a Carfax, I’ve checked the car out in person it’s actually a beautiful car. They said the pictures were taken right when it was taken off the trailer coming back from Mecum. The dealership has all the records and it’s been checked out and registered on the XLR -v forum. I’ve been looking for one for a while and this is one of the best priced XLR-V I have seen with those miles. Most dealerships are asking over a 100k with these miles. Unfortunately for me this one is sold I believe. I’m actually 4th in line.
There is a 2007 XLR V at Rickenbaugh Cadillac (Denver) with 48K. The dealership is asking $38,500.00. Looking at the pics, the car looks good. I bet there is some wiggle room in that price too. I know it’s been for sale for some time. This is an excellent dealership by the way. If they have it for sale I have every confidence that this is a good car. You could buy it and have enough left over to purchase a nice SUV. Just saying. Cheers!!!!
If it had a LS motor maybe but the North Star motor was plagued with design flaws, headbolts, head gasket issues and cooling system problems. Most mechanics won’t even work on them. Run Forest Run.
My friend has one and used parts are hard to find. A used tail light is $2,500, body panels are sky high if you can find them. The prices are astronomical. BEWARE! A MONEY PIT.
What if Cadillac commissioned Pininfarina to style the XLR? Maybe there would be better body flow and not look as choppy in the back as it does now. BTW, love the front clip. That can stay and not change. If only we got the sports car concept in addition to this.
It’s supposed to look choppy. It’s the Art and Science styling they’ve been sticking on everything for a couple of decades now.
I was going to say the same thing, Mike… $2500 to $3000 for just ONE taillight. They have a mini computer in each taillight.
Escalade taillights are just $1000 each. No computer.
Those are beautiful cars, when you stand back and look at them they have The stance of the Corvette. I know they use the Corvette frame and chassis but it’s got that aggressive stance but the luxury and beautiful look of the cadillac. I travel to car shows all over the country and when you get to see one of these supercharged XLR-V they always have a crowd around them. I’ve had the definite pleasure of driving one and they do not disappoint. I’ve never talked to an owner of the Cadillac XLR v that has ever had anything bad to say about them. Thanks to the author good read. A 15-year-old car with 9,000 MI I’m sure it’s got some dust on it somewhere lol.
A vet in a tux. That is how I heard it described.
Saw 2005 in show room couldn’t believe just how beautiful, a piece of art.
Owned the 2005 platinum black absolutely adored ,still do..but parts difficult to sorce and was fearful to drive because of this major ussue. CADILLAC didn’t make any part for surplus! How does a compamy make a 100.000 auto ,and do that to folks and car of this caliber. Will always feel this is a beauty..
I gave my son my 2007 XLR-V this past summer. I bought it new from the dealer. It had about 38,000 km on it . It is very rare because of the color: Xenon Blue. It is also on the Cadillac XLR Registry. It always drew a crowd at car shows and got lots of compliments. Someday you will only see these cars in auto museums. I totally enjoyed it will I had it.
It was a Corvette in a tuxedo and it just didn’t work.