2010 saw the end of the XLR, Cadillac's popular two-seater, but if you're lucky, your local dealer will have a 2009 still available. Once called "the perfect Roadster," its final run presented two models: the Platinum and the V line. One created for maximum refinement, the other for speed, they sport two different engines. Figure out which you need before you get there.  Figure out which you need before you get there.

2009 Cadillac XLR Platinum

Rounding in at $86, 219, the XLR Platinum came with a 4.6-liter Northstar V8 engine. The gas guzzler (15 mpg for city driving) kicked out 320 hp @6400 RPM, and 310 ft-lbs torque @4400 RPM. The automatic 6-speed transmission shifts effortlessly while accelerating from 0 to 60 in just under 6 seconds.

2009 Cadillac XLR-V

The XLR-V roars to life with a 4.4-liter Northsar V8 that goes from 0 to 60 in a paltry 4.6 seconds, and travels to speeds up to 155 miles per hour. The supercharged 8-cylinder turns out 443 hp @ 6400 RPM, and 414 ft-lbs @ 3900 RPM. All that, and fuel efficiency suffers by just one mile per gallon. At $104,215, the American-made XLR-V offers power at a premium price.

Both models reflect Cadilla's dedication to excellence. The hard-top lowers in under 30 seconds with the push of a button. Keyless Access, OnStar, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, and Bluetooth join a host of standard amenities. The AudioPilot noise compensation system paired with a 9-speaker Bose Sound System places a microphone in the cabin to monitor sound quality.

Both models present Cadillac at its finest, and most attractive. The question is whether you need a tiger under the hood.

Ronnie is a freelance technical writer for SWEngines.com. He writes different niches including Cadillac XLR Engine and other industry specific topics.