Originally Posted by Anderlecht

If you guys don't mind me asking... I know this is sort of repeating my question. If you were in my situation, would you:

1.) Keep the car.
2.) Get in to a new Q7 (TDI or Gas).
3.) Sell to Carmax and move on to a different model.

The only reason that I am inclined to keep the '08 is because it has been trouble free. The original '07 was a lemon in which Audi would not admit to, but replaced it.

On the other hand, I am worried about maintenance costs for this car because I recently paid about $350 for a wheel alignment and a tire rotation. Imagine what a 60K mile service would cost? The idiots at the dealer didn't even bother to put back on the 20 lugnut caps and put it inside a coffee cup in which they drank out of.

I am in such a dillemma because the wife wants a Mini Cooper S (test drove it yesterday and wow it handles and rides like a go-kart) or a Prius V or a Lexus HS Hybrid. She does still admit that the Q7 looks right for me. Mind you, I am 6'1". Decisions, decisions. I never experienced a more stressing decision making period in my life since college!

Thanks again guys!

Originally Posted by Houstonmobilian

Sorry for the confusion, but what I meant is you could sell your '08 Q7 to Carmax and you can shopped for any CPO one (another Q7) from any Audi dealerships.

And yes, if you were to sell your Q7 to Carmax, you have nothing to worry about. Carmax will do EVERYTHING for you!

Originally Posted by Anderlecht

The thing with Japanese brands is a mixed bag. I've owned a 2000 Maxima as well as a '03 G35 Coupe and they both were not as reliable as I hoped although they were good cars. Perhaps it is the dealer service dept that was hiring all high school drop outs to fix my car. But when I purchased the GS300, the story was totally different. The car has been solidly reliable with a few maintenance issues. However, the Lexus service cost is pretty steep, but not as much as the Audi. The local dealer is charging a $5 Homeland Security fee for a Audi loaner because they switched to a Rental car company that handles loaners. The loaners are old and dirty. When I go to Lexus, they always have a brand new Lexus waiting for me to take home. We also have a 07 Odyssey at home and that is not so reliable as I have hoped either. There is always some problem coming up randomly. For some reason, it always seems that I end up choosing "not-so-reliable" cars. I guess it is just my luck.

I also had few other questions. Since the car has 2 months left before the lease is up:

1.) Wouldn't Carmax try to offer residual price once they find out they residual price from Audi?

2.) What happens to the 2 extra remaining payments left on the lease? Would Carmax take this into equation as well?

I know I am a bother, but this was the first time I ever leased a car so I am in the need to know, but thank you for the replies. They really do help!

Originally Posted by Houstonmobilian

I'd say for economical standpoint, you should discuss your concern to your dealership first. If the discussion is not favoring you, you know you can simply sell your car to Carmax. The quote from Carmax is good for 7 days. Get the extra money and go get yourself a certified Q7 from any Audi dealerships or other makers of car.

That's what I did with my 2 other leased vehicles since my mileage on those vehicles were low. I didn't feel like returning them to the dealer without getting any equity back.

Originally Posted by Anderlecht

You're right. I will talk to my sales advisor this week. The original sales man was such a pleasure to work with as he understood all of my concerns. However, he is no longer there. The sales person I talked to seems like the type who only wants to make a sale. He just doesn't seem to care as much. I just hope that he can take care of me. We will see.

Originally Posted by Anderlecht

Just got back from carmax. Their offer would be a little less than what it would cost me to purchase the car. I talked to the dealer again and he said in all I will he paying:

residual $29.5k + tax7% + CPO fee(2.5k) plus brakes and maybe tires minus the two remaining payments. . It will be at least 1-2k more than carmax's offer. The dealer is also advising to put in the costs to bring the vehicle into certifiable condition into the monthly payments. So now I am hoping that they dont try to factor in the 2 payments into the monthly payments without my knowledge.

If I were to sell to carmax it would leave me with around $1.5k.

OMG. DECISIONS DECISIONS. now I am grabbing and pulling my hair out! Wife is saying to keep while my brother says to sell. Arrrgh!

Originally Posted by Houstonmobilian

Food for thought, if you would have sold it to Carmax now, you not only get $1.5K, you will save the next 2 lease payments as well.