Posted on 9/30/2013
Few cars cater to every need as well as Audis. Audi’s consistent commitment to finding a perfect blend of luxury, performance, and style, while making their cars affordable relative to the competition, has resulted in a line of models fit for everyone from hip 20-somethings, to successful baby boomers, to devoted parents, to retired vacation seekers. There’s something for everyone at Audi. Here are just a few of the models available, to help you choose the right Audi for you: Audi A4 – the All-Around Daily Driver The A4 is the perfect daily driver for the person who needs a car luxurious enough to make a commute in, but fun enough to hit the beach or the slopes for the weekend in. The A4 has all the comforts that you would expect from a premier luxury automaker, yet is smaller and more fun than most luxury vehicles. With 220 horsepower and 238 lb-ft of torque, the A4 has ample power, and with an MSRP of US $33,800 it couldn’t be a bigger steal for its class ... read more
Posted on 9/23/2013
In the last decade or so, Audi has cemented itself as a premier player in the luxury vehicle market. While once considered a little brother to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi has now, quite arguably, surpassed those two leaders in mid-level luxury. Along the way, Audi has strongly separated themselves from the entry-level luxury vehicles it may once have been associated with, such as Infinity and Lincoln. And Audi continues to improve, moving faster and stronger than BMW and Mercedes-Benz, its German brethren. In fact, Audi recently surpassed those two companies in worldwide sales, despite still selling a relatively small percentage stateside. It’s clear that the world is catching on to the fact that Audi is now top dog in the mid-level luxury race. With that said, here are three of Audi’s premier luxury sedans: Au ... read more
Posted on 9/16/2013
When it comes to making quality cars, Audi stands above most of the competition. Not only are Audi’s vehicles more luxurious, stylish, and higher performance than most other cars, but they are also far more reliable. However, they are still cars, and even the best cars have their fair share of issues. So it goes without saying that even Audis are prone to one or two problems. Be it a small issue or a larger engine problem, Audis need to be repaired from time to time. Often, however, the problems are predictable, because they commonly occur in that model. This can help drivers prepare for, or prevent any problems that they may face. Here are some common problems in Audi vehicles, as well as what you can do to avoid them, and what you should do to fix them: Oil consumption One of the main complaints with Audi is that the oil consumption can be very poor. This is specifically applicable to the smaller engine Audis, such as the A4 and S4 models. For whateve ... read more
Posted on 9/9/2013
There are few things in the automotive world that are as exciting as concept cars. Even though it is pretty rare for a production vehicle to hit the streets bearing a strong resemblance to its initial concept car, the concepts allow people to see the direction that an automaker is headed in. Everything from the design to the technology tells us something about the manufacturer’s future, while also being fascinating in and of itself. And few car companies do concepts better than Audi, which simultaneously pushes the envelope and follows through more than many of its competitors. Audi has had a long line of awesome concept cars in the past; here are three of the most interesting recent iterations: Sport Quattro Laserlight In January 2014, at the Consumer Electronics show, Audi introduced this fascinating and groundbreaking concept, which it promised was a sign of things to come for the company. The Laserlight is a high-performance hybrid, combining a powerful V ... read more
Posted on 9/2/2013
It’s a sedan! It’s an SUV! It’s a…station wagon? Station wagons, or sports wagons, as they’re sometimes known as, are five-door hatchbacks often styled after sedans, but with the cargo space of an SUV. Although wagons vary in aesthetics and purpose from brand to brand, ranging from the sleek and city-friendly Mercedes Benz E350 to the rugged and utilitarian Subaru Outback, their defining characteristics – an elongated body with a low center of gravity and open cargo space – remain constant. Historically, station wagons have been seen as quintessential ‘suburban mom’ cars, and have seen dips in popularity with the rise of the minivan in the 1980s and again as SUVs got big in North America. Station wagons made a bit of a comeback as consumers began avoiding gas-guzzling SUVs, but didn’t want to sacrifice cargo space; however, with the growing popularity and affordability of hybrid SUVs and crossovers, the stat ... read more
Posted on 8/25/2013
Subaru has long been known for their reliable, reasonably-priced cars, but recently, they have also been gaining a reputation as one of the most environmentally-friendly manufacturers in the industry. Though a bit unconventional in their approach – as they are focusing more on the industrial and manufacturing components of their company, rather than on producing hybrid or electric cars – Subaru is redefining what it means to be green. Living Green in Indiana Subaru of Indiana Automotive’s (SIA) manufacturing plant in Lafayette, Indiana has achieved something very few other companies have even attempted: they have achieved a ‘zero landfill’ state and are close to becoming truly zero waste. After a long journey of commitment, improvement, and strategy, the SIA plant became ‘zero landfill&rsquo ... read more
Posted on 8/18/2013
Japan-based Subaru (fun fact: the name “Subaru” is based on the Japanese name for the Pleiades constellation – hence the stars in the logo) produces a variety of cars for a variety of lifestyles, but their dedication to excellence remains constant, whether they’re making a coupe or an SUV. With some of the highest safety ratings, best fuel economy, and generally high resale values (provided you keep your car in good condition with the help of a good auto shop) in the industry, the question isn’t about whether you should buy a Subaru, but which one you should get. Outback One of the best sports wagons on the market, the Subaru Outback is an all-wheel drive, five-door hatchback that can ... read more
Posted on 8/11/2013
Subarus are some of the most practical and reliable vehicles gracing our roads today. Compared to many of their competitors, Subarus are beacons of reliability, able to withstand the turmoils of daily driving, off-roading, and long road trips with relative ease. But, like all cars, they are not perfect. Meaning that, like all cars, they have their share of issues that potential buyers should be cognizant of before making a purchase. Fortunately, there are a few central Subaru problems that buyers and owners should note; these are issues that are commonly seen on Subarus. If you can learn to deal with these problems, you should be in the clear, as you’re unlikely to find many other issues or problems that arise with your Subaru. Here are a few of the common Subaru problems, as well as some tips for how to prevent issues, and handle them when they do occur. Common Problems With Subarus Leaking and broken head gaskets seem to be the bane ... read more
Posted on 8/4/2013
Over the years, Subaru has created some of the world’s finest cars. Practical, fun, and often stylish, Subarus don’t often disappoint. This, however, is only the case if you are looking at Subarus in a vacuum. The average automotive consumer only ever sees the final product; they see that Subaru has done a terrific job creating practical daily drivers that are also fun and attractive. But car enthusiasts – who attend shows and read magazines – see the concept cars. These are the cars that Subaru introduces as . . . well . . . concepts, before creating the car that ultimately lands on the road. Through the years, Subaru has had some incredible concept cars, which have paved the path for . . . far less stellar vehicles. Here are a few Subaru concept cars, and what they ultimately turned into: 2015 Legacy The most recent iteration of the Subaru concept was one of the more disappointing moments in recent Subaru history. The 2015 Legacy Concept was introduced i ... read more
Posted on 7/28/2013
When it comes to cars, most of us thought we’d be flying through the air Jetson-style by now. Though we’re not there yet, many innovations are on the brink of revolutionizing the auto industry. Volvo, with their impressive advancements in technology, is leading the way. The Self-Driving Car The present day Volvo features several new advancements – such as a powerful drive-e engine, fuel efficiency, computerized abilities that keep track of a driver’s habits (thus optimizing performance), a Sensus Navigation system (that allows remote access to the heater, door, locks, and GPS), music streaming capabilities, and full internet access – but the innovations in development are the ones that truly amaze. Volvo, according to Time magazine, is aiming to be the first automobile manufacturer to bring self-driving cars to the marketplace. In ... read more