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Russell & Smith Mazda

Mazda's Most Exciting Future VehiclesMazda cars are among the most exciting cars today. In 2019, they are jet-setting, with spectacular new and improved future vehicles coming out of their production lines. Want to learn what all the excitement is about and which new features are in store? Here are some of Mazda’s exciting new choices.

Mazda 6 Signature Skyactiv-D

The Mazda 6 Signature Skyactiv-D is a powerful sedan that will take you where you need to go, luxuriously and quickly. This up-and-coming car has a responsive turbo diesel engine, giving optimum performance and an amazingly smooth drive. You’ll find the drive to be powerful and energized, with an acceleration that revs up smoothly. The unique Jinba Ittai driving system is designed to create a relaxed feeling of fusion between the car and its driver. You’ll admire the gorgeous interior with spectacular leather seating and Sen Wood coloring throughout the vehicle. Ultrasuede trim provides a premium accent, wrapping up the package with a refined look.

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Have Fun by Taking a Day Trip Near HoustonWhile you’re on the road to the Mazda dealership in Houston, why not check out a few family-oriented outings? There are plenty of exciting day trip opportunities in the area. Here are just a few to get you started.

Spend a Day in Dallas

Dallas, Texas, is about a three and a half hour drive out of the Houston city area. Dallas is a great metropolis to visit if your party is adults-only, or if your kids are a bit older and can easily join you in a shopping spree. Check out fabulous downtown shops and restaurants, enjoy the lovely skyline that exposes the sprawling city buildings, and pay a visit to a local museum, like the Nasher Sculpture Center. Alternatively, try a visit to the John F. Kennedy Memorial in Dallas, which was erected in 1970. This artistic landmark offers a meaningful pause for reflection in his honor.

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Houston Hurricane Season: Protecting Your Home If you live in the Houston area, you know that June-November is hurricane season. Hurricanes can cause extensive damage, and it’s important to be prepared. You might want to start by taking some necessary steps to make sure your home is protected in the event of a storm.

Create a Hurricane Kit

A basic Hurricane kit is designed to get a family through 48 hours without electricity and basic services. Your kit should include a whistle, blankets, garbage bags, flashlights or a battery-powered lantern, batteries, a three-day water supply and two days’ worth of food. You may also want to include a first aid kit, items for pets, medicine, and comfort items.

Grab Some Gas

Long before the lines at the gas stations get out of control, make sure your vehicles and generators have plenty of gas. You may want to fill up an extra tank to have available if needed.

Plan Ahead

Move furniture to higher ground, or elevate it, if you have the time.

If you lose electricity, you don’t want food to spoil. Turn your fridge and freezer to the coldest setting. Your food will keep for longer.

Make sure you know what shut-offs for water, gas, and electricity are located.

Prepare Your Exterior

Before it gets stormy bring in outdoor objects like lawn furniture, toys, garden implements, and anchor down pieces that you can’t bring inside or put away in a garage.

Prepare your windows, doors, and garage doors. You may want to brace of shutter these places.

Have Important Documents in One Place

Home insurance documents and other important papers should be part of your Hurricane kit and available in the event of a storm because you will need that proof for claims and assistance. You may also want copies of important identification and medical documents.

Stay Informed

Russell & Smith Mazda put together a great list here for you, but there are more tips out there. Watch the Houston news to find out specific instructions to your area. Check out what ready.gov has to say about disaster preparedness and accuweather’s 5 expert tips. Be safe this hurricane season!

image from Pixabay.com Pixabay License

What to Know About the 2019 MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary EditionSince 1989, the Mazda Miata has been the premier two-seater sports car across the globe. Nimble, quick, and visually stunning, it has all the hallmarks of a modern-day classic. In 2019, Mazda commemorates its design achievements with the release of the MX-5 Miata 30th Anniversary Edition. For collectors and brand enthusiasts, this coupe is the holy grail of the Miata line. Here’s everything you should know about its upcoming release.

Racing Orange Paint Job

If you can’t decide what color to paint the kitchen, choosing the right hue for your vehicle can often pose a difficult problem. Fortunately, Mazda takes the decision out of your hands with a sole hue: Racing Orange. This vibrant shade will adorn each 30th Anniversary Edition Miata, symbolizing  “sunrise and anticipation” and “evoking the breaking dawn of an exciting new day.” With any luck, you’ll like what you see.

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Best Places to Go for a Motorcycle Ride Near HoustonSomehow riding a motorcycle is a more intimate way to connect with nature and your surroundings. Perhaps its the air gliding past your body or the relationship you form with the people and places you pass through. Near Houston, you have plenty of choices for a smooth, exciting ride. Hit the throttle and twist and turn your way through these amazing motorcycle journeys in southeast Texas.

Galveston Island and Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge

Hop on your hog and head south on I-45 until you reach Galveston Island. While the commute out of the city isn’t for the faint of heart, once you reach the island, you’re met with a sea breeze and coastal waters that provide calm and a time for reflection. Head southwest down the Termini-San Luis Pass Road, which takes you along Galveston Island’s most famous beaches.

This road eventually turns into the Bluewater Highway where you can continue your journey until you reach Seaside Beach. From there, head north into the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. While cruising through the park, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see birds, waterfowl, and over 100,000 Canadian geese, which migrate here every winter. At the end of this leg of the journey, stop by some of the small towns such as Liverpool, Iowa Colony, or Rosharon on your way back to the Space City.

Approximate Time: 3 hours, 20 minutes

Distance Traveled: 160 miles

Sam Houston National Forest

Located about an hour north of Houston is scenic Sam Houston National Forest. Hardwood trees line the forest as you weave your way through the park. The forest has several entrances and exits, allowing you to explore the area as you wish, but if you exit on the west end of the park, you’re greeted with rolling hills and seasonal wildflowers. The forest offers plenty of opportunities to see white-tailed deer, quail, doves, and the rare and endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. With plenty of stops and places to stretch along the drive, it’s an ideal choice for beginner and intermediate riders.

Approximate Time: 4 hours

Distance Traveled: 150 miles

Texas Hill Country

If you’re willing to make the trek west into Texas Hill Country, you’re rewarded with some of the best riding in Texas. Just northwest of Fredericksburg is the Willow City Loop, often regarded as Texas’ finest motorcycle-riding areas. This 20-mile loop takes you through the hilly countryside, where you have numerous opportunities to see wildflowers and other flora and fauna.

You’ll also get the chance to visit the quaint Texas town of Willow City, where you can stop in for a bite to eat and enjoy the charm of small-town Texas. Hills and curves are a bit more demanding, but at a proper speed, you shouldn’t have any problems.

Approximate Time: 8 hours

Distance Traveled: 475 miles

From the beachside roads along the Gulf of Mexico to the river road running alongside the Rio Grande, these motorcycle rides are just a thrilling way to spend your time. They’re a memorable moment you won’t soon forget.

Image from pixabay

A Close Look at the 2019 Mazda3Excitement abounds at Mazda with the unveiling of the fourth-generation Mazda3. Refined, retooled, and reinvented, the 2019 Mazda3 is one of the most intriguing new models to come from the Japanese automaker over the past few years. Blending affordability with quality is no easy task, but the Mazda3 seems to do it effortlessly. Beautiful, alluring, and somehow eye-catching without gaudiness, the 2019 Mazda3 is a surefire head-turner this year.

SKYACTIV Technology

One of the most exciting features of the 2019 Mazda3 is that all of its trims receive an engine with SKYACTIV technology. This innovative design provides more power without sacrificing fuel economy. Beneath the hood of the Mazda3 lies a 2.5-liter SKYACTIV four-cylinder engine that dishes out 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. Pairing with its six-speed electronically controlled sport transmission, the Mazda3 accelerates smoothly whether you’re on a straightaway or at the track.

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Where Are the Best Swimming Holes in Houston?With summer right around the corner, Houston’s ready to heat up. Sweltering triple-digit temperatures and oppressive humidity swallow the city whole, which means it’s time to find some relief. Thankfully, Houston is within close proximity to some of Texas’ top swimming holes. From natural spring-fed pools to rivers to lakes, one dip is all you need to ward off the blistering summer heat.

Huntsville State Park

Located 65 miles north of Houston, Huntsville State Park is one of the closest rural watering holes, requiring you only to get out of the city and urban sprawl before you take a dip. The 210-acre Lake Raven is where you can pop on your bathing suit and splash away between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. in the park’s designated swimming area. Make a weekend out of it by renting one of 160 powered or unpowered campsites. Other activities include fishing, boating, and hiking.

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4 Amazing Features of the 2019 Mazda CX-5Are you shopping for a compact SUV with style and sporty performance? Then you owe it to yourself to discover the new CX-5 by Mazda, now with two new trims: Grand Touring Reserve and Signature. It tops automotive expert’s rankings thanks to its athletic handling and precise steering, premium interior, and impressive safety scores. Let’s review four amazing features of the 2019 Mazda CX-5.

Powerful Engine Option

The base CX-5 features a stock 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. It produces 187 horsepower and offers plenty of pep for any commute. For 2019, Mazda offers an available turbocharged engine, upping the CX-5’s ante in terms of performance with brisk acceleration. This new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is one of the most powerful in the compact SUV class, putting out 227 horsepower when paired up with the six-speed automatic transmission.

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Sport, Club, or Grand Touring: Which Mazda MX-5 Miata Is Right for You?

Image from mazdausa.com

If you’re in the market for an outstanding performance machine with a comfortable, premium cabin, the new Mazda Miata MX-5 is an all-around winner. Its lineup features three refreshing trims including the Sport, Club, and Grand Touring. Each one acquired a peppy new engine for the 2019 model year. Which Miata MX-5 is right for you? We’ve put together this handy guide to help you pick the perfect variant.

Overview of the New Miata MX-5

The 2019 Mazda Miata MX-5 is a thrilling choice for hardcore driving enthusiasts. It’s a quick and eager convertible that delivers brisk acceleration and nimble handling. Go ahead and punch it. The MX-5 is always ready to play and happily sails through curvy roads.

In addition to a boost in power, this new two-seat Miata looks great inside too, touting a spacious cabin with comfortable bucket seats. Mazda loaded this roadster with user-friendly tech features, including a standard rearview camera and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

New and Improved Powerhouse

Each rear-wheel-drive Miata MX-5 trim is equipped with a stock 181 horsepower four-cylinder engine for this model year. This new and improved powerhouse puts out an additional 26 ponies over the 2018 model, delivering plenty of power to tackle any situation you’ll encounter on the road. Outfitted with a stock six-speed manual transmission, but why not opt for the six-speed automatic that’s available at all trim levels?

The Miata MX-5 Sport

The Miata Sport is the MX-5’s introductory trim and features a classic manual-folding soft top, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with a metallic black finish, and keyless entry. Mazda loaded this variant with cutting-edge technology starting with the Connect infotainment system complete with 7-inch touch screen, two USB ports, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Music lovers will appreciate the Miata’s six-speaker audio system with HD radio.

The MX-5 Club

When you want your new MX-5 with even more high-performance features, pick the Club trim. With a lower sticker price than the Grand Touring, it’s a great value because it touts a sport-tuned suspension that’s not available on any other variant, plus Bilstein shock absorbers and a limited-slip differential.

You’ll also appreciate the Club trim’s luxurious touches, such as heated seats and a power-retractable hardtop. Upgrade your audio experience with the Club’s premium sound system, including a nine-speaker Bose audio system and satellite radio, as well as active safety features including blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

The Grand Touring

The top of the Miata’s MX-5 line up is the Grand Touring trim. It includes all the features of the Sport trim, with even more amenities such as leather upholstery, navigation, and automatic climate control. The Grand Touring also comes loaded with all the latest safety tech, including traffic sign recognition, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and automatic headlights.

Whether you choose to park the Sport, Club, or Grand Touring in your driveway, start your experience with a test drive at your local Mazda showroom. Which Mazda MX-5 Miata is right for you?

Image from mazdausa.com

4 Amazing Tours of Houston You Should TakeDo your upcoming plans include a tour of Houston, Texas? Whether your trip to the Houston area consists of a visit at the world-famous NASA Space Center or a day on the Gulf Coast, you’re in luck. Let’s discover four amazing tours of Houston you should take this year.

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