[coopermine]

Yesterday I got behind the wheel of an Audi Q7 3.6 Premium Quattro. Overall size of the vehicle is pretty much the same as an Enclave. 280 HP, 3.6 liter engine etc etc. At the sticker price of 51K it is no comparsion with an Enclave for the value. At that price you are only getting moon roof, leather, xenons, power lift gate. No DVD, No Nav, No remote start and other goodies which come with the loaded Enclave at 45K.

I found the pickup was slightly better with a nice roar of the engine. Felt the road, versus numb steering of the Enclave. Also the handling was like any other German car, very pleasing for me, I enjoyed some nice turns at high speed.

3rd row seat is a joke. There is hardly any leg and head room for kids over 10/12 years forget about putting adults there (at least the live ones ;D ).

I am still compell with the ride, handling and overall good built of the vehicle, not to mention proven Quattro AWD system.

It is not the most reliable car from Germany, but I dont care, since I am going to lease it for 3 years. Fuel economy is not that good (i guess people have found the same on the Enclave) plus it drinks Premium gas versus regular.

I am still divided whether to go with the Q7 or the Enclave.

I love the Enclave, but I am getting ticked off as it is not available the way I want it. I have been waiting for solid month and a half and have been sick of hearing stories from the dealers. The Q7 is readily available, the 2008s will be hitting the showrooms in August, so the 07s will have great deals on them. The current deal is within 20-30$ difference to an Enclave. Again not a true comparison, since I will be getting a loaded Enclave versus not so loaded Q7, but all that extra stuff is like to have not must have to me.

I am very confused now, my practical sides tells me to get the Enclave for the value, but spontaneous response is to get a Q7.

Since I need 'A' vehicle before July 20th, I must find an Enclave before that otherwise.... I will be getting a Q7 baby!

Any comments advise would greatly help making this decesion, especially from those who have considered/tested the two as well as from the current owners of the Enclave and/or Q7.

P.S: Also drove the new MDX, it is very nice inside, but it will be at the bottom of the list.

As of now my priority list is

Enclave
Q7
Acadia (worst case scenario)
Infiniti QX56
2008 Highlander (someone please shoot me!)


Thanks.

 

[grd398s]

I really like the look of the Audi Q7...although I have not driven one. Side by side, they look very similar and both give off a very sharp, luxury vibe. The value of the Enclave is certainly better, but I agree that this waiting game they have us all in is just exhausting.

For me, the choice between the Q7 and Enclave was easy because: 1.) The Q7 was just too expensive for me, and 2.) I really need the 3rd row space that the Enclave offers - in a pinch you can fit three small adults back there vs. maybe two kids in the Q7 3rd row. Everybody's situation is different. I need that 3rd row space for our large dog...the Q7 3rd row isn't big enough for him.

Either way you go you'll get a sharp looking vehicle. It's just a matter of how value-minded you are.

 

[axiama]

If you're willing to negotiate on the features of the Q7, why are you unable to bend on the Enclave? If you eliminated DVD and/or NAV from the Enclave would you be able to find one in your area that fits the bill?

 

[Jay]

Before we bought our Enclave we carefully considered all the alternatives. As I remember, besides the high price, unusuable third row and the use of premium, the Q7 had just about zero storage behind the third row and, this was the stopper: a spare thingy that needed to be inflated before it coud be used. Where might one put the flat tire even if using the doughnut?

Jay

 

[Guest]

You should check out the mercedes GL 450 or 320 cdi if you want an A class car with a lot of space, but you need a lot of money - mine cost me about 70k fully loaded, but it is worth all that money

 

[shappy]

Also worth looking at is the Mazda CX-9, has a more sporting character than the Enclave and much more room than the Q7, leases for less than either one.

 

[Gator]

I test drove the Audi Q7 and was also very impressed with its drive, but high price, poor gas milage with premium gas, worse 0-60 time than the Buick with the 3.6 liter (i.e., 4.2 liter was superior, but had a mpg of 14 and added $10K), the lack of space in the third row with the ugly tracks sticking up from the second row seats changed my thoughts about this car, but it does look sharp outside.

Also seriously considered the GL450, great car with high price, poor gas mileage with premium (may be better with diesel), but he best 0-60 time! Very expensive to add the "bling" to this car compared to the Enclave.

May want to look at the Veracruz also. Was surprised at the value of this SUV.

 

[osli]

GL320 CDi gets great gas mileage (have seen 20mpg average with almost exclusively city driving on one in the family), and has lots of front and middle row room, but third row isn't suitable for adults. Ask yourself carefully who you think may need to sit back there before ponying up $70K (comparably equipped to a loaded Enclave) for a vehicle that doesn't have the room you may need. Otherwise, the GL series is great.

 

[Guest]

in the gl 450 i can sit in the 3rd row but the enclave has just a little more space by like an inch but both are suitable for average sized adults
but in the q7 not eve an 8 year old can sit comfortablely

 

[osli]

Granted, I'm tall at 6' 3", but I have to sit completely sideways in the third row. And my wife, at just 5' 8" has her knees crammed in the second row seat back.

The difference is much greater than an inch or two. The specs would have you believe the GL has more room by an inch or two, actually. In fact, they claim essentially the same legroom as a Suburban/Yukon XL but I can vouch that there is no way that is close to accurate.

The key is that with the Lambda's sliding second row you can actually provide many inches more rear legroom than the GL is capable of. The hidden benefit of that sliding third row is that you can balance available legroom between first, second, and third rows; so just as in a sedan the driver might slide up to accomodate a taller passenger behind, in an Enclave both the driver and second row passenger can adjust forward to allow a tall passenger in the rear.

In an Acadia, I sat behind the wheel and adjusted the seat to a comfortable driving position. I then sat in the middle captain's chair behind and adjusted so that my knees were clear of the seat back. I then crawled into the third row, and was amazed that my knees were still clear. That's six 6' 3" adults in a Lambda, comfortably. The only vehicles I know of that can match that feat are the Suburban and minivans.

 

[coopermine]

GL450 is out of my range, and GL320 is not available in NY market since it doesn't meet state emission requirements.

Although I am buying the Encalve for 3rd seating, I only need that for 3-4 weeks. I have two young kids, one will still be in his car seat by the time I will turn in whatever I get now. So 3rd row space is just optional.

I would prefer to get Acadia instead of Veracruz and CX9. I don't like their looks.

One reason I may still get the Q7 over Acadia would be the dealership, I am not very happy the way GMC/Buick dealers have been handling the high demand situation.

I would hate to get anything else at this time. I am very much in love with the Enclave but time does matter to me. I have located a Red Jewel with Cashmere interior, I want to get Ebony instead.

Oh well lets see.

 

[osli]

I can understand about the supply situation... very frustrating. The Audi is an exceptionally well made vehicle if that last row isn't a showstopper. Shame you have a deadline on the Enclave though. If you only need a vehicle for a short timespan (like a year, or two perhaps) take a look at leastrader.com - you may be able to find a GL lease to take over at below advertised prices.

btw, Zenclave - I have nothing against Mercedes... my current and last four vehicles were Benzes and the Enclave will replace my wife's. I grew up with a father that bought and sold them as a weird sort of hobby. And as a mechanical engineer in my former life, I can say that the GL is one fine piece of engineering. They should have added two inches to the vehicle, or sacrificed two inches elsewhere to duplicate the roominess found in the first and second rows into the rear.

 

[coopermine]

t

If you're willing to negotiate on the features of the Q7, why are you unable to bend on the Enclave? If you eliminated DVD and/or NAV from the Enclave would you be able to find one in your area that fits the bill?

The reason I need NAV in Enclave is for rearview camera. The visibility in Q7 was definitely better than the Enclave, so I dont need a rear view camera, even if I do, it is jsut a 1000 or 800$ option which also includes parking sensors as well.

Premium gas is a major concern to me. That is also required on my Pathfinder which I am keeping, I would really hate to fill Premium in two Gas Guzzlers. Regular gas was another major factor for choosing Lambdas.

OSLI, I totally agree with you about the leg room, the lambdas are amazing, even Yukon can't compete with them. The 2nd row captains and smart slide are way to ahead of the rest of the 3 row offerings out there.

I think I will have to sacrafice the interior color choice.

 

[coopermine]

I will be keeping the vehicle for 36 to 39 months, but only need the 3rd for 3 to 4 weeks, some family members are visiting, which will stay for a month or so with us. Just to lug them around, basically, If I go with the Q7, I can move the kids in the 3rd (will still be a challenge to put the kids there). If I get the Enclave, no problem.

 

[krm]

Just a FYI... I read an article about a year and a half ago, when gas prices were starting to rise. It said that unless you drive a turbo engine, even though your car says it needs premium, the way engines are made today, it really doesn't. I drove an MDX that required premium, but after that article, switched to regular, and never had a problem for the 1 1/2 years that I drove it after that. Same w/ my mom who still drives the MDX. The article ended by saying that if a Bentley can drive on regular, chances are your car can too.

 

[shappy]

Just a FYI... I read an article about a year and a half ago, when gas prices were starting to rise. It said that unless you drive a turbo engine, even though your car says it needs premium, the way engines are made today, it really doesn't. I drove an MDX that required premium, but after that article, switched to regular, and never had a problem for the 1 1/2 years that I drove it after that. Same w/ my mom who still drives the MDX. The article ended by saying that if a Bentley can drive on regular, chances are your car can too.

While it is true that you can use regular octane gas in most vehicles that demand premium, there is a price to be paid. While you will save $.20/gal, you will get less power and you will likely also get lower fuel economy, usually lower enough to offset the savings you will see.

I have a similar situation with our Murano. The owner's manual states it can run fine on regular but suggests super for maximum performance. I have experimented with different grades and I have found that using less than super does result in lower mileage, offsetting any savings I might see.

 

[budi]

I can understand about the supply situation... very frustrating. The Audi is an exceptionally well made vehicle if that last row isn't a showstopper. Shame you have a deadline on the Enclave though. If you only need a vehicle for a short timespan (like a year, or two perhaps) take a look at leastrader.com - you may be able to find a GL lease to take over at below advertised prices.

btw, Zenclave - I have nothing against Mercedes... my current and last four vehicles were Benzes and the Enclave will replace my wife's. I grew up with a father that bought and sold them as a weird sort of hobby. And as a mechanical engineer in my former life, I can say that the GL is one fine piece of engineering. They should have added two inches to the vehicle, or sacrificed two inches elsewhere to duplicate the roominess found in the first and second rows into the rear.

I would reconsider the notion that the Audi is an exceptionally well made vehicle. There are significant number of reports of the 3.6 in the Q7 needing to be replaced at 6000 miles. Apparently they have an oil pressure problem. But if you are leasing its a moot point.

 

[osli]

It really doesn't matter if your engine is in a Bentley or a Buick, it is the compression ratio that determines whether you need premium, mid grade, or regular. As long as you don't get predetonation in a high compression engine from using a lower grade fuel, power and fuel economy should not suffer significantly. Not enough to offset the fuel cost savings, though you may accelerate engine wear slightly.

On the other hand, running premium in an engine not designed for it, especially in a vehicle with a lot of miles on it and some lost compression from piston and ring wear, can yield lower performance and fuel economy than good ol' regular. A higher octane fuel designed to resist predetonation in a high compression engine may not burn completely if the compression has dropped enough, and that unburnt fuel means lower power, lower fuel economy, and accelerated engine and exhaust damage.

 

[coopermine]

My colleague has been leasing BMWs for years now, and never fill Premium in them, which is recommended. He has never experienced any performance degradation, I don't for the fact, but I dont think he noticed any consumption irregularity either, otherwise he would have stopped using it.

 

[Guest]

Coopermine why don't u check out lexus - you can't go wrong with buying a lexus - lx or gx - Lx recommended