Q7 Reflection

In the Spring of 2009, my wife and I were driving a 2006 Cadillac STS-V and a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT.  With a combined horsepower of 830, we got where we needed in a hurry, but once winter hit, we realized neither car was very practical.  So, we decided to sell both cars and go with a SUV.  We seriously considered the BMW X5, GMC Yukon, Mercedes ML and Audi Q7.  We ended up going the Q7 route, and it really was the right choice.  We both loved its looks, practicality, and overall driving experience.

Our Q7 was equipped with the 3.6 litre V6 which put out a mediocre 286 bhp.  Honestly, I always felt like the vehicle was underpowered.  The TDI version would have been our first choice at the time, but there was a huge waiting list in my city.  The 4.2 was substantially more expensive and offered a relatively small power upgrade of 54 bhp.  We chose this car right off the lot because we loved the Garnett Red Pearl paint and it was loaded with all options minus the 3rd row seating.  We enjoyed our four years of relatively trouble-free ownership.  The only problems we had with the vehicle over that time was a malfunctioning door handle, squeaky sun roof, and a "clunk" when engaging the car in drive.  All problems were rectified by our dealer with little to no fuss.  One modification I made to the Q7 was the brakes.  I upgraded the pads and rotors shortly after purchasing it.  The OEM pads produced a merciless amount of brake dust, so I went with a set of Hawk LTS pads that lasted until the car sold almost four years later.  

A fun modification I made was moving to a 22" Porsche Cayenne replica wheel in a gloss black.  I went with 285/35 Yokohama Parada Spec-X A/S performance rubber.  It was a real head turner.  I sold the Q7 with under 60k km's on the clock.  There was some wear on the outer edge of the passenger seat, but the car was otherwise perfect.   I got over 70% of what we paid.  I was quite happy with that.  

This is the car that transported our son home following his birth, so it will always hold a special spot in our hearts.  It served our family well during our time together.  It was dependable, comfortable, and I was proud to drive it.  You can't really ask for much more than that from a family hauler.  

What I loved

The Style - I just loved the way this SUV looked.  I saw the 2nd generation Q7 at the Auto Show in March, and I don't think it is as nice as the first gen.  Just a well designed vehicle, inside and out.  The style was made all the more spectacular with the Garnett Red Pearl paint colour. 
The Ride - Despite its size and weight, this SUV really did handle like a car.  This was very evident when we test drove the Yukon.  Compared to the GMC, the A6-based Q7 chassis felt like a sports car.  
The Size - I liked how substantial this vehicle felt as it sauntered down the road.  Not too big, but big enough that you felt large and in charge.   
The Quattro - Not once did we find ourselves unable to get where we needed to go.  You just pointed this Q7 where you wanted it to go, and it went.  Every time.
The Options - From the safety elements such as blind spot monitors, to the potent Bose stereo, this car had it all.  The panoramic sun roof was massive and the S-Line style package added lots of cool and sporty design touches such as the 3-spoke leather steering wheel with paddle shifters.  

What I didn't love

Lack of power - I should have opted for the V8, but it was too costly.  
Lack of storage - Big SUV, but surprisingly lacking in storage capacity.  I remember wresting with a plastic lawn chair, trying to get in the trunk.  The hunkered down rear roofline made the opening a bit awkward.  
"Leather" - I am not even sure it was real leather.  More like synthetic leather.  Not my style.
Center armrest - The center armrest made this annoying squeaking noise.  I performed all types of fixes, but could never fully rectify the issue.  
TPMS - They come on a lot of cars these days, but I just hate them.  Such a nuisance when you want to run a few different wheel set ups. 

Emergency brake cable seized - off to the dealer