Bought new car, Thought I would share my story.

For those that know my Ferrari...I still got it. If I sell, I promised it to Sam. Wanted a new every day driver to replace my Jaguar XJR. I looked at the new XJR, just wasn't for me. Looked like a Lincoln. I also didn't think that I need a sedan anymore. So this past weekend I went to Florida and rented a Caddilac XLR. Now I know why the Fat lady is clearing her throat at GM these days. I put the roof down which left me without a trunk. I could live with that but the roof would not go back up and the trunk would not open, while I was driving down the Turnpike in the POURING RAIN. I called On Star, they didn't know what to do. I wish they recorded the conversation so they could re-play it on their commercials. To make a long story short, the car is a piece of crap. Save 40 Grand and just get the Vette (I'm sure Rob will agree). So that car was on my list (bottom of the list even before I drove it). The other cars that I considered was the Mercedes CL55, and the BMW 645 convertable. When I got back to New York, I drove the CL55. Very nice car, very fast, lots of Torque, but felt unusually heavy. Felt like you were towing a boat. Handling sucked. Looked up the weight, and its the same as the S500! Also, the sticker was $115,000.00 and since I was buying it, depreciation is important. A 2003 with low milege (same engine/interior as the 2006) is going for $70,000.00. $45,000 in 2 years! And I wasn't comfortable driving it. So then I drove a 645 Ci. First time. Never really liked the looks of it, but I have a love for BMW's and had to give it a shot. Thought the rear was wrong, but thought I could like it. After driving it. My impressions changed. The car just felt right. Handling was crisp, speed was adequate, and quality/fit and finish was surpurb. Didn't like the I-Drive. I wish the exhaust note was louder, but that's why I have a Ferrari. I pick up the car today. But a side note. I will really miss the XJR. Had it for 5 years and I have had nothing but a positive experience owning a Jaguar (2nd one). It served me well. The new one lost its sex appeal (exterior) even though the new XJR is a better car all around. Also had the pleasure to sit in a new Vette ZR1 I really think Chevy has a homerun with this one. Car looks great and is a great buy. Also sat in a Ford GT. I could see getting one in the near future. Its a race car for the streets. Just wish Ford made the engine compartment as nice as the Ferrari 430. Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I did. My wife really wanted me to get it. If I think that I have to go back to a sedan, thats the car. The only thing that bothers me is that I think as far a value goes it will follow the Cambicorsa, which is in the toilet. I drove it and loved it.

 

My son said "I told you to get the Taurus"! That was after we were kinda wet. And yes, Its kind of sad. I really would like to see better products out of Detroit. I would buy American, if they were worth it.

 

By the way, OnStar connected me with someone at Caddy. They couldn't help either. On a positive note, the steering was great.Very tight.I didn't push it any harder because I was afraid the bumpers might fall off. And my rear view mirror was wet and foggy. Couldn't see too well.

 

I usually don't miss cars, but had some sentimential attachment to it. When I lived in Manhattan, it was with me, and when I made the move to Long Island, it stayed for a while. It was a lot of fun. Sexy and fast.

 

Tell your father good luck. He should lease it. Maybe he should wait. It will be a $40,000.00 car in three years! And I also thought the materials were sub-par! Honda Accords have better materials!

 

If the car was a "great" car (In the Japanese sense), and it was the "V", for about 85, it would of been a consideration. But, if it was a two seater that I was getting, it would of been the SL500. I still love the styling and its just a great car (the SL55 is one of my all time favorites). The quality of the Caddy does not compare to the benz, and they are about the same price. I'm serious, get the vette and save $40,000.00, and buy an Infiniti FX45 for the winter. GM sucked, quality wise, since about 1977, the downsizing era. That was also the end to Caddilac. That was 30 years ago! There are some models that look nice, but its probably typical GM quality. Fords no better. I had an Excursion up to a few months ago. I felt it aged every 7 years for every car year. It was a rattle box and when I got rid of it, it felt like a 21 year old car! I do think that GMC is much better then GM (if thats possible) I have a 2005 Denali, and as far as SUV's go, its one of the best.

 

You win the "moron on the planet award". I doubt you own anything other then a Kia. For the record, when I stand on my floor, I'm sure that I can spit and hit you in the head! Looser! Your the Pauly who asked for the VIN's. Thought you disappeared.

 

Thanks. I love Jags. My brother drives and XKR (current model) with the recaros, 20 inch rims and Brembos. Its beautiful. My other brother had an XK8 a few years ago. I really like the new shape. Saw a great picture of it in a magazine while I was in Florida. It was the best picture to date. The XKR won't come out until the Summer. I'm sure that the XK8 will be faster then the current, but not by a lot. Except for the shape and the interior, the XK8 is really a slug. After 1st gear, she doesn't move. The car to get will be the XKR. I still think that the Jags are a great bang for your buck. And the new one will have paddle shifting which is a huge improvement over the J-gate. Lets wait till next summer. I just hope the 0-60 times are sub 5's. It has to in order to compete with Porsche. The current XKR is a great car. Even with the old suspension dating back many years, its still a blast on mountain roads.