3 Crucial Steps to Get Your Car Ready for Spring

 Where do I begin? This Audi A3 is truly luxurious, at an economical price both at the dealership and the pump. First, let’s cover some mechanical basics. On the fuel-economy front, the A3 TDI achieves 31/43 mpg city/highway, making it the highest-rated diesel car on the market after the BMW 328d. This car’s turbodiesel I-4 engine, paired with a six-speed dual clutch and front-wheel drive, produces 150 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. According to tests, the sedan nonchalantly makes its way to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, compared to 6.8 seconds for the 1.8-liter gas-powered A3 and 5.4 seconds for the more powerful 2.0-liter gas version. So, yes, you do sacrifice some performance when opting for diesel over gas. But that doesn’t stop this compact luxury sedan from packing a punch. On the highway, this vehicle feels sporty and agile. Passing other drivers is a breeze with powerful acceleration and precision handling. The fuel economy on this car is unbeatable for a luxury sedan: 30+ MPG city, and 40+ MPG highway. You can drive so far you’ll forget how to pump gas. Motor Trend tested the accuracy of this fuel economy, and drove from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to San Diego, California on one tank. That is 834 miles on ONE TANK.

       As for the interior, this vehicle boasts sleek black leather, heated seats, telescopic steering wheel, a huge power sunroof, separate driver/passenger climate controls, and so much more. The A3 has also received some of the highest safety ratings in its class, so throw that car seat in the back for dropping the kids off at school. Now for my favorite part, the technology. The hideaway entertainment/navigation screen is emblematic of this car’s top notch gadgets. Entertainment is easy to navigate, from bluetooth audio to satellite radio, driving this car turns into a personal concert every time. Steering wheel controls make adjusting volume and skipping songs safe and easy. Additionally, an information rich heads-up display behind the wheel provides you with MPG, a digital speedometer, mileage, and service alerts. Always forget to get your oil changed? How about a car that remembers for you. Without overloading the control panel, Audi gives the driver easy and precise control over every aspect of the A3 experience.

         Now, let’s talk numbers. 18,166 original miles, CarFax certified 1 owner vehicle, and an extended TDI warranty until 2026, or 162,000 miles. This 2015 A3 is ranked as a good deal by CarGurus at almost $1,000 under market value at $17,995. If you’re looking for a luxury sedan decked out with all the options, but don’t want to pay luxury prices, this is your car.