What Is the 2019 MX-5 Miata RF?
As soon as the first Mazda Miata sportscar was released in 1989, it was clear that there was something different about this roadster. A new style for the time, the Miata was at once a reference to cars from an earlier time while embracing modern, clean lines and an available palette of eye-popping colors. Four generations later, this spritely two-seater still has rock star status for its zippy performance and curvaceous lines.
The 2019 MX-5 Miata RF is the newest model to the hit the road, packed with key updates and the desired form-meets-function synergy. Let’s explore some of the changes to the newest generation of the Miata.
Upgraded Power
Once you get the new Miata RF out on the road, you will notice a nice dose of power. As compared to earlier iterations, the 2-liter inline-four engine bumps up to 181 horsepower from the previous engine’s 155 horsepower. This extra boost makes a significant difference in the driving experience, whether you’re taking twisting mountain roads or cruising on the highway. The additional power also makes the car more forgiving on tight turns and more easily corrects for braking too hard or too early.
The Miata’s impressive fuel economy is similar to prior models, offering 26 mph in the city and 34 mph on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission.
Take the Top Down
In case you were wondering what the “RF” stands for, you may be pleasantly surprised when you realize that it indicates a Retractable Fastback roof. This unique style of open top is an interesting choice for the Miata and something that is typically seen on the higher price bracket sportscars. It is a welcome, sophisticated addition to the already clean and elegant lines of the Miata, accompanied by a price tag that far belies its offerings and sleek look.
Top 4 Places to Call Home in St. Louis
St. Louis is one of the biggest cities in America, and even if you limit yourself to the neighborhoods within the city limits, you can find plenty of vibrant, exciting places to live. The downtown district by the Mississippi River has great retail stores and old restaurants, and the suburban west end has plenty of clean, quiet neighborhoods where you can choose from hundreds of lovely homes and apartment buildings. The city’s neighborhoods have unique shops and small boutiques, so if you’re thinking of moving to St. Louis, here are a few neighborhoods to consider.
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Hi-Pointe
Hi-Pointe is a neighborhood just southwest of Forest Park, and it covers the area from Oakland Avenue to Dale Avenue and from Louisville Avenue up to the city’s border with Richmond Heights. It’s a mostly residential neighborhood with single-family homes, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area. You won’t have trouble finding things to do as a family, either, since the St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum are in the nearby park.
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Wydown-Skinker
Wydown-Skinker is another neighborhood at the west end of the city. It’s just north of Hi-Pointe and it covers the sliver of land between Forest Park and the suburb of Clayton. It’s just as residential as Hi-Pointe and is just as close to the Forest Park’s attractions, but the north end is only a block away from Washington University. Thanks to its proximity to the college, residents of this neighborhood are mostly young people, so there are plenty of cafes and bars in the area.
4 Impressive Mazda Safety Features
With tighter handling, better performance, and nicer interiors than the average competitor, Mazda’s cars and SUVs are a cut above other models. High-tech features are another way Mazda’s vehicles stand out. These features include advanced driver assistance features that are blazing the trail towards the future of self-driving cars. Not only will you find the usual rear cross traffic alerts, blind spot monitors, and rearview cameras, Mazda also offers advanced safety features you’d normally only find in the luxury market. The following list includes just a sample of the brand’s cutting-edge safety features.
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Adaptive Front-Lighting System
Mazda vehicles come with an adaptive front-lighting system. This feature turns your headlights as you’re going around a curve so you can see more of the road in front of you. This is a very important feature for spotting potholes, pedestrians, wild animals, and other obstacles in the dark. AFS can also be outfitted with an additional auto-leveling feature to keep your headlights focused on the road even when the trunk of your car or SUV is packed with heavy cargo.
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Driver Attention Alert
Driving long distances can be tiring. Experts recommend that you take a break every few hours to stretch and get your eyes off the road, but not everyone does so. Many people will drive while drowsy or distracted even though both are dangerous. A Mazda equipped with driver attention alert can learn your driving style, so it can notice when you’re tired and tell you it’s time for a break.
4 Quiet Trails to Explore in Ellisville
Out on the edge of the St. Louis, Missouri, suburbs you’ll find Ellisville, a nice place to live with beautiful homes, busy shopping centers, and quiet parks. This small town is far enough from the city center that you can find plenty of good walking trails in the area. Not all of the trails on this list go through town, but those that don’t are just a short drive away.
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Wildwood Greenway
The Wildwood Greenway is in Wildwood, Ellisville’s western neighbor, and includes over 18 miles of paved biking and walking trails throughout the city. Many of these trails follow the main roads through town, but others head off towards the residential neighborhoods and parks where you can enjoy some peace and quiet. Finding parking is easy since the greenway crosses several parking lots throughout Wildwood.
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Rock Hollow Trail
The Rock Hollow Trail is a relatively short walk, just 2.3 miles, and is all downhill from the trailhead near Ridge Meadows Elementary School. This means it’s all uphill on the way back, but there are plenty of benches. The trail is very scenic and quiet, and you’ll cross 13 bridges on your way to the trail’s end. Once you get there, you’ll find the Meramec River and the Al Foster Memorial Trail, a 7-mile trail that follows the river east to west.
When you purchase a convertible, you want a car that speeds around corners and leaps from the starting line. You want to feel the rush of fresh air when you take the top down. These are the reasons why so many people choose the Mazda MX-5 Miata as their convertible of choice. It’s fast, fun, and full of features that remind you why buying a convertible is the best decision you ever made.
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Weight Balance
Vehicles tend to weigh more in the front or the back depending on their design. For example, pickup trucks are front-heavy when they’re empty but balance out once you add cargo or a trailer. Sports cars like the 2019 MX-5 Miata, on the other hand, work best with a 50-50 balance that helps you stay in control when you take a high-speed turn. To that end, Mazda engineers designed the Miata to be slightly back-heavy, but when you sit in the driver’s seat, the weight balances out.
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Weight Reduction
Sports car designs either focus on eliminating weight or adding power. The 2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata is designed to be lightweight, so although its engine only has four cylinders, this sports car makes the most of its horsepower. Speaking of which, the 2019 model comes with a brand-new 2.0-liter SKYACTIV engine manufactured with aluminum alloy instead of heavy steel. Even though this engine doesn’t have a turbo, it manages to deliver 181 horsepower, more than its 2018 predecessor.
Ellisville Parks to Visit This Spring
With spring quickly approaching, you’re probably itching to get outside and enjoy nature. The best places to go to see the new flowers and work off some of that winter fatigue are area parks. If you’re in Ellisville, Missouri, or planning to travel there, check out these area parks for your nature fix.
Bluebird Park
The largest park in Ellisville is Bluebird Park. This 167-acre facility is the Cadillac of parks and has everything you can imagine: bike paths, picnic pavilions, tennis courts, playground, disc golf course, aquatic center, amphitheater, and softball/baseball fields. With all of these possible activities, you would think that’s enough. Not quite. Bluebird Park is also the location for summer camps, youth sports, and fitness programs. The pavilions and ballfields are available to rent for residents and non-residents alike, with availability depending on residency.
The park also hosts special events throughout the year, including an Independence Day celebration, a chili cook-off, movies in the park, and a Red Cross blood drive. You can enroll your kids in swim lessons at the aquatic center or do some laps for your own personal fitness.
What’s New with the 2019 Mazda CX-5
For 2019, several changes have been made to the Mazda CX-5. This model has a new available engine, several features that it didn’t offer before, and even a few new trims you couldn’t get for the 2018 CX-5. All in all, there are a few good reasons why you should consider buying the newest model Mazda vehicle.
The New Engine
Last year’s model only had one engine available: a 2.5-liter I-4 that provided up to 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. That’s still the standard engine in the first three trims, but if you get the Grand Touring Reserve or Signature trims, you’ll get a 2.5-liter engine that comes with a turbocharger and can get up to 227 horsepower with 250 pound-feet of torque. These numbers set the CX-5 apart and make it one of the most powerful crossovers in the compact class.
What Can Mazda Connect Do For You?
Vehicle infotainment systems are growing more important with each passing model year. Touchscreens have become standard equipment for most cars and SUVs, and as the displays become bigger, they take over more functions like the audio system, climate control, and driving mode customization. Modern infotainment systems can even run apps from your phone and come with their own set of applications.
Mazda Connect is the company’s newest infotainment interface. The company has taken a long look at its previous offerings and at the competition’s systems and has prepared one of the best new interfaces on the market. It combines physical controls, simple interfaces, and a constantly updated software system to give drivers full control over their electronic features and comforts.
The Rotary Interface
While Mazda Connect’s main display is up on the dashboard to keep it close to the driver’s regular sight lines, the interface is down on the center console between the seats. The buttons are easy to reach in this position, and Mazda has designed them to be easy to use without having to look down. The main interface is a rotary dial that lets you quickly scroll between options on the screen, and you can push the dial left or right to jump between menus and lists.
How to Celebrate Spring in St. Louis, Missouri
Like most Midwestern cities, everyone looks forward to spring St. Louis, Missouri. The snow is melting, the grass is coming back, and all the flowers and trees erupt in colorful blossoms. Not every St. Louis spring celebration is all about the season, but with the weather warming up, people love to have an excuse to go outside and enjoy themselves. If you’re looking for such an excuse yourself, you should make time for one of the St. Louis events on this list.
St. Patrick’s Day
St. Louis has a strong Irish heritage that the city likes to celebrate every year in March. In fact, St. Louis hosts two major celebrations each year in St. Patrick’s honor. The big downtown celebration includes a five-mile run, a parade, and a dinner the night before. St. Louis’ St. Patrick’s Day parade is one of the biggest in the country, and it is held every March on the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day. The parade also includes an entertainment area called the Irish Village in Kiener Plaza that stays open before and after the parade.
Road trips are a great way to get the family together and make some fun memories. Whether you’re exploring or heading to visit family, don’t get stuck with cranky kids in the car. There are tons of options for high-tech ways to entertain kids, but sometimes we might want some low-tech options. Here are some technology-free ways to keep the kids busy during a family road trip.
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Print Books and Audiobooks
If your kids are older, encourage them to bring some books along for the ride. This is a great time to catch up on reading for school or get into an exciting novel. For those who tend to get car sick when trying to read print books, audiobooks are a great option. Audiobooks can also be fun because they get the whole family involved in the story. Stop at your local library to stock up before the trip or download some audiobooks to your smartphone.
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Metal Baking Pan and Magnets
Little ones who enjoy more tactile activities will love a simple toy like a metal baking sheet and some magnets. Be careful which magnets you choose so that you avoid any choking hazards. Bring magnets like letters and numbers that they can use to learn. Older siblings can even play along with younger ones for fun and learning for everyone. Some games like tick-tack-toe also come in a magnetic version.
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