It is inferior to the new 7e but if you can find this body at the right price, I think you're buying a classic camera that is great value. Easy to use camera. All the features you need. Quite sturdy when compared e.g. to an F80. Superb handling except the cryptic setting of the custom function.
Vertical grip has no mirrored control dial.
The focusing seems to work very well with USM lens. A fully feature loaded SLR with nice handling. Offers everything you really need. No command dial on vertical grip. Just partial but no spot metering.