Stefan,
I agree with most of what you are saying. The Char Q is definitely a short order grill for quick stuff like burgers, dogs and steak. But I think it does that really well as long as you use very good, hot burning charcoal. I had good success with Kingsford Professional (hard to find) and just bought some B&B here in Indiana that I also think will do well. (Weber briquettes, which I have enjoyed very much in a kettle, flopped for me in the Char Q.)
Anyway, I guess I consider the Char Q's shortcomings to be acceptable since quick grilling is all I ever ask of it. But, yeah, I admit I often get a hankering for charcoal but find myself pressed for time and fall back on gas quite often. Still, I do use my Char Q frequently enough that I can never bring myself to take it out of service and give it a much needed refreshing. I have a somewhat exotic paint scheme I want to try. Maybe next spring.
My Char Q was one of the few grills I brought with me when I wasn't sure if we might even wind up in an apartment after our first house deal fell through. I figured it would be the easiest charcoal grill to take to a park or something similar if that had happened. The Go Anywhere is a cool little grill, but I don't see it has being nearly as nice to use.