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buying a used a7 what to look for

Black Audi A7 car.

I leased my first Audi A7 in 2017.  I still accept it.

It's without a doubt the best automobile I've ever endemic.  I do non regret getting it e'er.  In fact, I yet enjoy driving it each and every time.

When I went car shopping in 2017 I had no intention of getting an Audi.  I test drove BMW (4 and 5 serial), Mercedes, and Lexus.  I would take ordered a Tesla Model 3, but I was told it would take well over a year to become it and I needed a machine ASAP.

Since almost every dealership is at our local car mall, Audi was across the street from BMW.  Finally, I decided to check out Audi.  I knew they were pop and then I wanted to see what all the hype was nigh.  I started with the A4.  Loved information technology.  Tried the S3. Loved it.  So I couldn't resist the A7.  I knew instantly that was the car for me.  I signed the lease then and there.

Even though Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was put in jail, I still love this machine company and the cars it makes.  Hither are my thoughts and experiences for anyone thinking virtually buying or leasing an Audi A7.

1. It doesn't take the roar you become with the S or RS series

Audi S7 rear view.
Audi S7 rear view.

When my A7 was getting serviced, I got an S5 loaner.  That sucker had a really great roar to it that the A7 lacks.  The A7 is a more refined car; kind of similar a high-performance sedan.  If you want the roar with a sportier look, get an Due south-series.  If you want full out gritty fast, go the RS.  If you're a baller, get the R8.

2. Notwithstanding, for an A-serial information technology's fast with outstanding torque

For me, it's fast enough.  When I hit the gas, it rips off really well.  I especially like the torque.  The tires don't spin out.  Instead, the wheels hug the pavement and it slingshots out really nicely.

3. Two new tires cost me $1,000

Most 6 months in, I ran over a nail.  I delayed too long getting information technology repaired so I needed a new tire. I was told (probably sold) that since one rear tire would be new, the other should be as well.  Those 2 new tires toll me $1,000 ($500 apiece).  I hope I don't take to pay for any other parts.

four. With a lease, you can pre-pay all services (and save large)

If it doesn't sustain any more than impairment, I won't be out of pocket for annual services considering when I leased it I was given the option to pay up-front end for all 4 services (one per year).  By doing then, I was told I was saving 50% on the service cost over four years.  So far I'm happy I fleck the financial bullet then because now I only take to pay the lease.

5. The dash has a lot going on

Interior photo of an Audi A7 dashboard.
Interior photograph of an Audi A7 dashboard.
Audi A7 center controls - seat warmer, temperature controls and fan controls.
Audi A7 center controls – seat warmer, temperature controls and fan controls.
Audi A7 steering wheel.
Audi A7 steering bicycle.
Audi A7 center consol controls
Audi A7 center consol controls

I've only scratched the surface playing around with settings and features.  You tin take seat and side mirror pre-sets and there's a huge jumble of buttons, brandish options, bulldoze options (sport, smoother, etc.).  I actually should sit downward with it in the garage one day, only at present that I'm half-fashion through the lease, I dubiousness that'southward going to happen.

6. You need to put in 91+ octane gas

Not only do loftier-performance cars cost more to buy or lease, but they also cost more to operate.  Parts cost more than and so too does gas.  They told me I must put in 91+ octane gasoline.  Well, that adds a few cents per liter which adds up.

7. Information technology'due south a bit of a gas guzzler

Not only do I have to pay for the most expensive gas, but I can't say the A7 is fuel-efficient.  Information technology rips through a tank pretty fast; much faster than our Toyota Venza.

8. Information technology handles like no other car I've had or test-collection

Audi A7 menu for different drive types.
Audi A7 menu for different drive types.

I haven't driven a Porsche, Ferrari or any other actually high-end sports cars so I can't compare, but given that I love how the A7 handles.  The steering for me is perfect.  Non too soft and not as well hard (I establish the BMW steering stiff).  It's smooth but has cracking command.

It also handles corners really nicely.  I've never put information technology to its limit (I'm not a thrill-seeker), only I can definitely dial it around corners faster than our Venza or other cars I've endemic.

I like the Dynamic setting (encounter photo above) which handles best at faster speeds and accelerates the fastest.

nine. The backseat is pretty roomy – I accept my immature kids in information technology all the time

I love, love, love the fact the A7 has a roomy backseat.  I considered for most v seconds getting a 2-seater.  Actually, when I got the A7 I didn't intend to bulldoze our young kids around in it.  All the same, now we take it by and large with the whole family.  They're messy, but it'southward not bad.  I beloved beingness able to drive it more often.

ten. There are seat warmers in the back too

Backseat control panel for Audi A7.
Backseat command console for Audi A7.

I think most cars offer this, simply information technology's adept to know your backseat passengers aren't treated as second-class passengers.  They have their own seat warmers and tin control their temperature settings.

xi. It's a bit of a caput-turner

While Audi is super popular in our neck of the woods, for some reason the A7 is non the Audi of selection.  The A4 and A8 are pop as is the Q5 and Q7.  I like that it's not all that commonplace.  While it certainly doesn't garner the stares a Lambo gets, people ofttimes come up upwardly to me and enquire about the car.

12. The Audi GPS is terrible – apply your smartphone

Audi A7 GPS navigation map.
Audi A7 GPS navigation map.

Pfffft is all I have to say nearly the Audi GPS system. Information technology looks cool merely trying to input locations was incommunicable. I tried using it early on and it drove me nuts.  Garmin is 10x meliorate.  Connecting my iPhone and using Maps on that is 50x improve.

13. It connects with your smartphone which is awesome

As stated above, you can connect your smartphone via USB which is awesome.  I can play Apple Music, Spotify, access Maps and listen/transport text letters.  It charges the phone at the same time.

14. Reply to text messages via vocalisation

I use this all the time.  Replying and sending a text bulletin via vox is super piece of cake.  It's hands-gratis and then legal (in our surface area).  I love this functionality because information technology'southward so much easier than talking on the phone.

15. You'll love the keyless entry

The key has a sensor so that the person with a key on their person does not need to unlock it.  You simply pull on the door handles and it unlocks.  It'southward so convenient; I don't have to fumble around in my pocket for keys anymore.

sixteen. The hatch trunk can carry quite a bit of stuff

Equally you can come across, information technology's a Sportback, only it's a long Sportback then you get a full-sized torso.  It'south non as roomy as an SUV or crossover cargo space, merely I've hauled big suitcases in there with no problem.

17. The push-push body is super convenient

Speaking of the trunk, again you don't need a primal to open information technology.  To close it, yous just push a button and it closes.  No more than pulling down the trunk.

That said, the key sensor can be a nuisance.  Sometimes when walking around the car, it triggers the torso to open automatically.

18. The side mirrors fold in

One day I had only pulled out of my downtown office parking garage and some guy was honking at me.  I finally saw him as he was indicating for me to roll down my window.  I did so thinking there was some emergency; he then tells me my mirrors are folded in.

That'southward it, I thought.  All the alarm for that?  He was right, but information technology'due south not a large deal.  Information technology'due south non like my tire is blown or I left my wallet on the roof (I've done that too).

Anyway, ane actually nice feature is beingness able to automatically fold the side mirrors in.  I park in a lot of parking garages which are tight, so this definitely saves me the adventure of smashing a side mirror upward (I've washed that equally well in a previous car past bankroll into an underground garage support cavalcade).

19. The beeps from sensors tin can get really annoying peculiarly in parking garages

Speaking of underground garages, the A7 has exterior sensors that spot cars in your blind spot and senses when you're getting too close to something like a wall.  Overall it'due south a fabulous safety characteristic and has saved my bacon a few times, merely in parking lots where at that place are objects shut by, sometimes it constantly beeps even if no real risk.

I don't heed a soft beep, but by default, it's a loud, shrill beep that drives me basics.

20. The rear photographic camera is well-baked, clear and super helpful

I've driven my share of rental cars with rear cameras to really capeesh the clarity and scope of the rear mirror on the A7.  Everything comes in crystal articulate and it pans pretty broad and low and then yous pretty much see everything.  Audi nailed this feature really well.

21. I upgraded to black grill, racing tires and tinted windows (all worth information technology)

Front view black Audi A7 with black grill.
Front end view blackness Audi A7 with black grill.

I never intended to spend this much when I started looking at cars.  The 5 serial BMW would have cost less.  And then too would the Mercedes and Lexus I checked out.  However, I loved this car above all others.  Just then instead of going with the base of operations package, before I knew it I upgraded to some premium features including Bose sound system (amazing), racing tires, tinted windows, and a black grill.  It all looks awesome and distinguishes my A7 from others and then information technology's money well spent.

22. I went with blackness but white looks good likewise

White Audi A7 sportback car.
White Audi A7 sportback machine.

Blackness was definitely my preferred color just a neighbor got a white A7 and I have to admit it's a keen color too.

23. The temperature controls and fan controls are really annoying

Audi A7 Temperature Controls.
Audi A7 Temperature Controls.

You must push a push and and then dial each side for both temperature control and fan command.  It takes twice as much attempt and fourth dimension equally on other cars where you lot just turn the dial.  This is a daily annoyance considering I'm constantly fiddling effectually with temperature and the fan.

Will I get another one in 2 years?

I'm coming up to the halfway point in my lease.  Volition I get another i?

I probably would get the A7 again in a heartbeat, only I'm also excited well-nigh the electric vehicle options coming to the market.  I hear BMW and Audi are rolling out electrical vehicles then I'll test bulldoze those.  Hopefully, Tesla has its manufacturing problems resolved by then.

I'll besides be tempted to examination drive the RS 7 which is an absolute monster.

It's hard to beat out the A7 though.  I dear that I can have my kids in the back; Porsche doesn't offer that except for the Panamera.  The other models might have a backseat, but information technology looks really tight.  Perchance I'll exam drive the Panamera.

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Source: https://lemonbin.com/audi-a7/