How the 2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Re-Energized Me

Can you teach an old dog new tricks?  Last week the Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring RF answered that age old question for me. Source: Victoria Mason What's Old is New At this point in my life, I have been driving for 25 years.  Yikes! That's three years less than the age of the Mazda MX-5 Miata. But, I had a secret and it was really starting to get to me. I couldn't drive stick.  Nope, only automatics for me.  I had tried to learn years ago when I first got married but deployments got in the way and we never owned another manual car again after that desert stint.  I write about cars and I couldn't drive stick.  How sad is that? How embarrassing! When the 2017 Mazda MX-5 also known to most as the Miata drove up to my driveway I knew things had to change.  I was going to use this … [Read more...]

Cruising in a Five Passenger Crossover with the 2017 Mazda CX-5

It is not often that I get to review a car that I like multiple times over the years. It is fun to see the changes that occur in technology and design. It is, even more, fun to see a good car get better over time. That's what I see with the 2017 Mazda CX-5. 2017 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD in Soul Red. Source: Victoria Mason First Impressions I wasn't initially supposed to have the CX-5 but a small issue with my intended car brought this five-passenger crossover SUV back into my life and driveway.  I have always loved this car in years past and this time was no different. The 2017 model is redesigned.  That shows in the more upscale interior styling and with the Grand Touring (tested model) a few standard extras like, forward collision warning and mitigation, lane keeping … [Read more...]

2017 Mazda6 Grand Touring

The 2017 Mazda6 Grand Touring is a head turner. Did I mention that it is also family car? Source: Victoria Mason Yes! The Mazda6 is a four door sedan that offers style, comfort and a safe ride all in one without compromising on looks. The arrival of the Mazda6 Grand Touring came on another cold winter day.  A year ago I reviewed the 2016 Mazda6 and got the same reactions from people, "What a hot car! What is it?"  The same goes for the 2017 model.  That's because this year the Mazda6 remains unchanged on the exterior with some small changes inside and under the hood.  It's the little things, right? What's New The biggest change is that the Mazda6 has Skyactiv-G which means that the car has better steering response.  When I realized this and felt it I thought, "Oh, this is so … [Read more...]

Black Lace and Winter White

The Mazda holiday party also known as my work party for this year was held on a gorgeous twinkly night by the water. I couldn't resist the urge to pair my black knee-high boots with a black lace bell sleeve top and my high-waisted nautical flare pants in a chic winter white. Mazda MX-5 Miata. Source: Victoria Mason Instagram. I wore this Vince black lace top last spring for a St. Patrick's day gala. Back then I wore it with a full green midi-skirt.  Here in the holiday season I knew I wanted understated chic that made me think of winter. The buttons on these nautical flare pants make me so happy.  I always feel like I need to be in some 1930s musical when I wear them. Cold temps and walking city blocks made me keep my pumps at home and opt for the warmth of my knee high … [Read more...]

2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

The 2016 Mazda CX-9, another year and a very different review. Mazda CX-9 in Sonic Silver Metallic. Source: Victoria Mason At the annual WAPA Rally in October the Mazda CX-9 was my first drive of the day.  I always like to start the event off with a brand I feel comfortable with and car that doesn't offer a ton of surprises.  While I may know Mazda, the 2016 CX-9 offered plenty of surprises the minute I opened the driver's side door. On the Outside All new for 2016, the Mazda CX-9 is great to look at and offers families a lot in a 7-passenger vehicle. With 20-inch alloy wheels (standard in the Signature trim), heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers and a power open/close rear lift-gate you find convenience and ease that is hard to beat. Features like rearview cameras,a lane-keep … [Read more...]

WAPA Rally 2016 Favorites

Ah, the WAPA Rally. Quite possibly my favorite event of the year with this group.  If you are new here, WAPA stands for Washington Automotive Press Association, and I am a member.  Every October we gather together to spend the day driving cars from many automotive makers and it is ridiculously fun and informative. This year the WAPA Rally was no exception as it was held in Kent Island, Maryland.  Just off the Bay Bridge the views were stunning and provided gorgeous backdrops for car photos and plenty of scenic drives. What did I love at this year's WAPA Rally?  Nissan Rogue Source: WAPA Rally: John Soule I love the 'Magneto Black' paint on the 2016 Nissan Rogue.  Makes me feel ready for Star Wars story 'Rogue One' on December 16. Way more storage space than I anticipated … [Read more...]

2016 Mazda6 I Grand Touring

Source: Mazdausa.com Looking for a family sedan that has some style or maybe you are in the market for a four-door sedan that has sporty handling?  Look no further than the highly competitive 2016 Mazda6 I Grand Touring.  Given a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA it offers loads of standard safety features that many families look for in a car while giving a firm ride with competitive fuel economy that many crave. First Impressions At first glance the Mazda6 I Grand Touring in 'Snowflake Pearl White' has a sporty look that can be lacking in a mid-size sedan.  My friends kept saying, "What a nice looking car!" or "It's so pretty!" and I had to agree.  It has a distinct look to it that made a rather dull, winter week feel brighter. Take a Look Inside Source: Mazdausa.com The … [Read more...]

2014 Mazda Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring

2014 Mazda Mazda3 5-Door Grand Touring Take a moment and look at the lines on that Mazda Mazda3.  This is not your standard 5-door hatchback style car.  When I was told I could review one I agreed but admittedly my expectations were low.  I wasn't feeling the whole 5-door factor.  The car arrived and I liked the color, Soul Red Metallic and instantly fell in love with the sleek lines.  The interior stole my heart in seconds. Sporty, stylish and super soft almond and black leather seats. First, I love the simplicity of this car.  The interior is refined, uncomplicated and has a display for navigation that sits on top of the dashboard rather than in it.  Not everyone loves this feature, but I did. I don't care how throwback it looks.  It was easier to see maps, what was playing on … [Read more...]

2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD

  The first thing people notice about the 2014 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD is the styling.  It is pretty sharp looking, especially with its Mazda Soul Red metallic paint and accompanying black interior. Those were the colors last week’s test drive.  The eye travels over this compact crossover and sees its narrow exterior that shows off a car that has more room overall than one would think.  It looks leaner and with a sporty quality to it.  A power moon roof and 19 –inch alloy wheels add to the smooth exterior. How does the CX-5 Grand Touring perform?  What is it like on the inside?  Let me tell you. Interior Climbing into the Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring, which seats five comfortably, I took notice of the satiny black interior and leather seats.  It is narrow seating in the … [Read more...]

The Sporty & Affordable 2014 Mazda Mazda6

*Disclosure: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are TMC's only. The Mazda Mazda6 for 2014 is a bit of a stunner. I had no idea this would be the case and only an inkling when it arrived at my front door. Immediately I was drawn in by its grill, a style that has become increasingly popular with other brands, and its 'Soul Red' color. Moving inside I found another reason to love the Mazda6. The interior seat styling in almond leather is not just nice to look at and feel but it gives the car a sportier look that took it a step beyond regular sedan. Shortly after taking the Mazda6 on the road I realized I wasn't the only one who felt this way. Neighbors walked around the car, inspecting it, each time it was parked. People stopped me in … [Read more...]