I am seriously considering to buy a Q7 3.6 in NC.

For the last two months, my dealer is unable to offload the 4 4.2 off the lot. The new X5 is also coming in October and is priced about $4K more. Does anyone has any opinion about the Q7 selling well or not?

I am looking for opportunities to buy closer to invoice...... Casually discussing the price with my dealer and they are willing to offered $1K under MSRP with the car on the lot....

Wouba - On 6/5, you said you already got yours for 3% over invoice? (see 6/5 post). Did you buy another one for invoice?

I don't know the specifics on the Q7s you are referring too, but on my dealer's lot there are two Q7s. They have both been there a long time. They are both missing features that I think most Q7 buyers want. Things like the panorama roof and the navigiation system among others. According to the dealer, Audi just sent them that way.

At the same dealer, other Q7s have been coming in slowly but surely and they move, there is also a list with names buyers waiting for the Premiums as they come in.

That is my case. Mine is due in by mid September.

What's the actual dollar difference between dealers invoice and msrp on a Q7? Thanks

after a couple of months, they are willing to split the cost of the invoice to the msrp. So that's a 2k+ off the car. I bet if I keep waiting it will be more.

I'm not sure why the huge dropoff in July, but with the new 7-seater X5 around the corner, perhaps people are looking elsewhere. Probably a combination of high price (near $60K) and the poor gas mileage of the V8. Sales should pick up a bit when the V6 models are readily available (Audi expects 80% of Q7 sales to be V6s), although gas mileage is still pretty disappointing (16/20 mpg)... the new 260hp X5 3.0si gets 17/22 mpg, yet is quicker (0-60 in 7.8 vs. 8.2 sec).

If you want a great deal, wait until the new X5 shows up... I'm afraid Audi won't be able to give them away after that. The new X5 has pretty much everything the Q7 has, with exception of the air suspension, for about the same price (given the extra standard equipment like xenon headlights and panoramic sunroof). The new X5 4.8L V8 will be faster (0-60 in 6.4 vs. 7.1 sec) and get better gas mileage (16/21 vs. 14/19 mpg).

they're not counting on huge sales. They needed a vehicle in this segment; one that's noticeable. They've certainly accomplished that. Rumor has it that they're actually losing money on each one, due to R&D costs.

I never ordered mine based on 0-60 times. Yep, it sucks on gas too. I doubt that most people are ultimately basing their decision on MPG with SUVs like the Q7, X5, GL450, etc.... I can afford a Prius; I just don't want one. (nothing wrong with them, just not what I was looking for)

I'm also not a huge fan of BMW's interiors (although I do like the 550i). So, to me, the Q7 was perfect. I like the interior, exterior, the significant options available and the reasonable performance (for a 5500lbs SUV).

I also see about 10-20 X5s every day (in Atlanta), so I would like a vehicle that's not so common (again, nothing wrong with the X5 - I like the new one coming out - just not what I was looking for).

I paid a $1000 under invoice, and I'm still happy. If others are getting it for cost, or even below, congrats. If Audi ends up "giving them away" in a few months, I'll get another one. :-)

If you base everything on 0-60 and MPG, I doubt anyone would buy an Audi. However, if you take everything in to consideration, Audi stacks up fairly nice (IMHO)

I can't wait for mine.

The Q7 is Audi's most important vehicle ever, and that's coming from Audi. However I don't think they will come close to those numbers... even the X5 doesn't sell at those numbers.

I'm a big Audi fan (have owned 3 in the past 5 years), but I believe unfortunately the new X5 will eat the Q7's lunch.

And I don't buy vehicles based only on MPG and 0-60 times either, but you'll be surprised a lot of people do (go check out the Bimmer forums).

.....is a continuing disaster. That aside, I expected price and volumes to make the Q7 a bit exclusive..... that works for me.

I am currently owning both a X5 and A4. I actually like the interior design of the Q7 but I think the material on the current generation X5 is better. My A4 material is also much nicer than Q7 and I think Audi is cutting some corners on the Q7.

Regarding the gas mileage, I do care about it. Not like I cannot afford the gas but just don't like to visit the pump all the time and spend $80+ on gas every couple days. To me, it is more a mental thing and that's why I rather drive my A4 than X5 even it is a lot more comfortable and roomy there.

Gas mileage is probably important to most, but it's probably not going to enough for push them to a competing product in the same segment (unless it's a HUGE difference). My point is that getting 1-2mpg more in another vehicle isn't going to make that much of a dent, financially.

Basically, I guess I was just saying that if the new X5 is faster and more fuel efficient (by a small margin), that still wouldn't be enough for me to switch. Just my personal opinion. Again, I like the X5, I just happen to like the Q7 more.

the most important launch ever for them. From what I've read, I thought it was more about having a vehicle in the SUV segment, which they've obviously lacked. More of a "hey, look everyone - we have a SUV too". I guess I was wrong.

I would agree that it's going to be tough for Audi to sell 35,000 Q7s a year, mostly due to price and gas costs.

However, again, I would be shocked if most people considering the Q7 are greatly influenced by it's mediocre fuel mileage. Sure, it's a consideration, but every competing vehicle in the segment is similarly poor in regards to fuel mileage.

And you could buy three fuel efficient vehicles for the cost of the Q7, but that's not the point. The Q7 is not the most practical vehicle ever made, but I still love it.

I definitely don't understand those people who are buying a SUV based on 0-60 times. Sure, I like fast cars and I don't want 1/4 times in the 25 second range, but who cares if one 7 passenger vehicle is .5 seconds faster than another in a 0-60 contest?

Agree.... gas mileage is only one of the many reasons to buy a car. In most cases, we don't really need a new car every couple years and the buying is mostly driven by emotion or mental weakness... = )

In my case, I was actually cross shopping Q7, R Class and X5. Since my company is on the Mercedes preferred employee program, I am qualified for another $5K executive discount from MB. It means I can get $16K off the MSRP price of the 06 MB R350 ($39K with preimum package). I has been struggling the last three months to decide to buy the R or not. With average gas mileage about 21-22MPG, it is definitely the best out of the bunch. However, I just cannot get the emotional urge due to poor looking front end and interior a bit too conservative.

It is coming down to Q7 and new X5. I feel less guilty to trade in my X5 for the new Q7 since the new X5 is probably $5K-7K more than a Q7.

Do you have the 4.4 or 3.0 in your X5? Have you driven a 4.2 Q7 yet? Can you compare the two? Does the Q7 feel that much heavier?

You're soooooo right about not needing a new car every couple years, but I sure like getting one anyway!! :-)

I am definitely disappointed with the new 4.2 and it drives very similiar to my 3.0 X5. Compare to the 4.4 X5, 4.2 power is definitely lacking especially on the low end and feel heavier. May be Audi should change the gear ratio to give the 4.2 more low end power.

On the other hand, I test drove the 3.6 today and I am impressed. Both my wife and myself think it has same pickup as the 4.2. Just wait for a good deal and we probably will go for it....

of Q7's arriving in the states last month versus June. You cant sell what you dont have.

Jeez, use yer head man.

I sold 7 in June, 2 in July.

Tons of sold orders showed up at dealers in June, from the first allocation.

RB

I am definately sure that Audi never said that they want to sell 35,000. The A6 that is priced in the segment probably sells under 20,000 a year. Audi did however say that the 3.6 will make up a majority of sales. Also last month's Audi and Q7 sales were low because of lower inventories. However I think that Audi should have launched both the 4.2 and 3.6 at the same time.

How do I find out the actual invoice price? And no, I don't expect to get as good a deal as you got.

Audi Sets Tentative North American Diesel Debut for 2008

March 17, 2006
GENEVA - Audi AG expects to sell its diesel-powered Q7 cross/utility vehicle in the U.S. by 2008, the auto maker says.

This move represents an aggressive powertrain-development push for Audi, which already has committed to a Q7 hybrid-electric vehicle launch in the same timeframe.

Critical to the diesel's rollout is the development of an exhaust after-treatment system, Wolfgang Hatz, executive director-powertrain development, tells Ward's.

Audi engineers are about two years away from nailing an execution of after-treatment technology that, in concert with low-sulfur diesel fuels, will enable the European Q7's 3.0L V-6 diesel to meet stringent U.S. federal emissions standards and, more importantly, those in California.

Thanks largely to exhaust gas re-circulation technology, the smooth-running engine already meets standards in 45 states, Hatz says. But the projected return on diesel-powered Q7 sales in those markets is insufficient to warrant a launch at this time.

Audi Q7 3.0L V-6 TDI
"In the end, it has to be 50 states," Hatz says, noting California accounts for 40% of Audi's U.S. sales, the largest share of any market outside of Europe.

Through February, Audi's '06 model-year sales were up 10.8% in the U.S. Deliveries totaled 34,300, compared with year-ago's 30,951, according to Ward's data.

"We have decided to bring the diesel to the U.S. when we are fulfilling all emission regulations," Hatz says. "Priority No.1 is (the) Q7."

The turbocharged diesel belongs to a new family of V-engines and features piezo injectors. It generates 230 hp and 369 lb.-ft. (500 Nm) of torque, which is available at 1,400 rpm.

The CUV, which shares a platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, is expected in U.S. showrooms by June, a spokesman for Audi of America Inc. says. To date, Audi dealers have taken about 1,000 orders, he adds.

The auto maker expects U.S. annual sales of about 35,000 units.

The Q7 already has launched in Europe. Production for the North American market began last month. The CUV is built in Bratislava, Slovakia, alongside the Touareg and Cayenne.

The Q7 starts at $49,900.<ul><li><a href="http://wardsauto.com/ar/audi_diesel_debut/">link to article</a></li></ul>

I only have 4 left in stock!!

Did you tour the whole USA dealer network? ;-)

RB