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.
The Future of Mazda
Mazda has some exciting new models in store for the 2019 year. Whether you’re looking for a beautiful new SUV or a powerful sedan, the future of Mazda has something you’ll love. Here are some of the new models featured in Mazda’s 2019 lineup and what you can expect from them.
2019 CX-3
The updated 2019 Mazda CX-3 offers three trims: Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. If you go with the base trim, you certainly won’t be stuck with any basic features. The Sport trim comes with great perks like the Mazda Connect infotainment system, all-wheel drive, 16-inch alloy wheels, ambient temperature, and much more. Taking a step up to either the Touring or Grand Touring trim will add luxury perks like leather interior accents and seating options, additional technology features, and LED lighting.
All trims are equipped with a 2.0-liter engine that creates 148 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mazda’s vehicle dynamics system with G-vectoring control gives drivers peace of mind even in poor driving conditions.
5 Times to Update Your Car Insurance Details
Car insurance information is important to keep updated. You never want to run into a situation where you need coverage, but inaccurate information causes issues. Here are five circumstances that would require you to update your car insurance details with your provider.
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When You Buy a New Car
The most obvious situation for changing your car insurance policy is when you purchase a new car. Many drivers forget to do this, or they wait a while after the purchase to make the change. Your insurance should be updated before you even drive your new car off the dealership lot. Most car dealerships will help you with this step, but it’s always a good idea to call your agent and double-check that your new vehicle is properly covered.
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New Licensed Driver in the Family
Any time a new person starts driving your car, you’ll want to update the insurance policy. Don’t get caught up in the excitement of one of your kids passing their driver’s test and forget to add them to your policy. You should even contact your insurance provider when your teenager gets their learners-permit. Having a young, new driver behind the wheel can change the price of your coverage, so you want to make sure you know what’s changing.
5 Tips for Setting Your New Car Budget
It’s tough to figure out exactly how much car you can afford. You always want to be smart about budgeting for major purchases, which means spending only what you can realistically afford and being knowledgeable about financing options. Here are five tips for figuring out your budget for a new car.
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Know the Worth of Your Current Car
There are many online resources for figuring out what your car is worth. Kelley Blue Book is a great place to research the value of your current car. Whether you decide to trade in your current vehicle for the new car you purchase at the dealership or sell it yourself, it’s good to know what you can expect to get for it. Selling your car on your own can give you cash for a good down payment on your new car, which is always nice to have.
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Figure Out What Monthly Payment You Can Afford
When deciding on your budget for a new car, you’ll need to know what you can afford to pay monthly. You don’t want to end up stuck with a regular monthly payment that you can’t keep. Don’t forget that this payment amount will include both the principal amount of the loan and your interest. There are three main factors to a car loan: the term length, down payment, and interest rate. Do some research to figure out what kinds of rates and terms are available before heading into the dealership.
5 Can’t Miss Spring Events in St. Louis
St. Louis is a wonderful place in the springtime. The weather is starting to warm up, and there are all kinds of things going on. Whether you want to get out with friends or you need to keep the kids busy, check out these can’t-miss spring events in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Wizard World Comic Con
From April 5 – April 7, the Annual Wizard World Comic Con will take place at America’s Center in downtown St. Louis. The event runs from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon and celebrates everything comics. You can check out comics, graphic novels, TV shows, and gaming at this fun event. There will also be celebrities from moves and TV along with writers and artists. Gamers can watch or join in the gaming tournaments, and anyone can take part in the costume contest. General admission tickets are $49.99 per day or you can get a VIP package for $99.99.
Is the 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 RF Right for You?
The 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 RF is right for any driver who not only wants a convertible but also wants a quiet ride when the top is up. The RF or retractable fastback gives the Miata a sleeker look and blocks out more of the road noise than the soft top version. For 2019, the RF has an updated engine with some extra power, some added safety features, and the steering wheel will now telescope.
Options
The RF comes in two different trim levels. The Club comes with LED headlights, and if you choose the manual transmission, it has Bilstein dampers, the option for upgraded Brembo front brakes and BBS wheels. Bumping up to the Grand Touring model gets you adaptive headlights, and removes the performance features that come with the Club. If you want to add the performance features back, get the manual transmission and opt for the GT-S package which also comes with a black painted roof.
4 Must See St. Louis Museum Exhibits
St. Louis has many unique and interesting museums. Each one has its own atmosphere and content with exhibits that range from all kinds of transportation to fine art and sports. With so many different museums offering a number of different displays, choosing where to visit can be a challenge. Here are some of the must-see St. Louis exhibits.
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City Museum
City Museum in St. Louis was voted one of the best family attractions in the world. It is a 600,000 square-foot space filled with hands-on activities for kids. All the exhibits contain stuff from the city such as castles made from reclaimed stone, fire trucks, and church pipe organs. There are both indoor and outdoor exhibits and all kinds of things to do. The kids can pretend to fly a plane, sit by a fire, find treasures in a cave, and even see a show.

