Thrilling and Quick Driving - The 2010 Mazda Miata MX-5

A few months ago, a terrific Mazda MX-5 Miata was delivered for our weekly test drive. Maybe I am partial to the Miata sports cars, but I truly enjoy them every time I am able to have a lengthy test drive. Judy is definitely not a sports car aficionada, but accepted the week with a gracious attitude.

By most accounts, the MX-5 Miata is ranked at the top or near the top of every pick of affordable sports cars. Consumer Reports puts it as a "Top Recommendation." Car and Driver rates it among their "10 Best". The key word here is "affordable." If you are a sports car enthusiast on a tight budget, this MX-5 Miata might be your dream car.

Mazda refreshed the Miata for their 2009 model, so the 2010 edition had very little changes. The soft top Miata is available in three trim levels - Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring. Our test model was the Grand Touring model. It sported a beautiful Copper Red Mica exterior color, with a Beige interior. The Grand Touring model also has the option of an automatic retractable hardtop. Fortunately, the test model included this feature. It operates so easily and so efficiently. Retractable hardtops are not new, but for a small sports car, they are very convenient, allowing almost instant enjoyment of the open top.

The interior of the Miata is adequate, but nothing exceptional. The cabin is generally considered cramped for taller drivers. It didn't bother me at all. The dashboard sets rather high and the seat does not raise too much, so short drivers might have to stretch some to see out the front. The test model had all the anticipated features plus a few nice extras such as the automatic dimming rear view mirrors. The leather seats were heated, which is always a great feature.

Performance wise, the Miata is always fun to drive and it is almost like being on a skateboard or roller skates. It changes directions almost instantly with a slight touch of the steering wheel. It consistently gives the driver the thrill of holding the road on sharp turns or movements. It can instantly transport your mind onto the curves high above the Mediterranean while you imagine you are competing in the famed Monte Carlo.

The MSRP of our test model was only $28,400. With a few options and premium package added on, the bottom sticker price came to $31,300. EPA ratings for mileage show 21 in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.

The Mazda Miata MX-5 is so much fun to drive. It has thrilling handling, it is quick, and it is agile. Long-term value is good also and it is considered to be very reliable. Check out the MX-5 Miata at a Mazda dealership yourself. You might just have as much fun test driving it as I did.

The Most Dangerous Holidays For Driving

Although driving is an already dangerous activity, there are some days of the year that are inherently more dangerous than others. It stands to reason that the riskiest days to be on the road are major American holidays, and the statistics bear this notion out. According to statistics collected between 1982 and 2008:

Thanksgiving Day averages 567 deaths
Labor Day averages 544 deaths
Independence Day averages 542 deaths
Memorial Day averages 508 deaths
Christmas Day averages 414 deaths
New Year's Day averages 401 deaths

The reasons behind these statistics are quite simple:

People tend to drink more on the holidays. Celebrations, parties and get-togethers are the order of the day, and of course beer, wine and other alcohol often make an appearance as well. This is a cocktail for disaster.
More people tend to be more concentrated in central locations during the holidays. That means that more people are leaving from similar locations, and that increases already crowded roadways.
For at least half of the holidays the weather is generally not the best for driving in half the country, and inclement road conditions can severely affect the ability of people to drive safely.
People on the holidays tend to have different moods than they do normally. Either good mood or bad, people on the holidays tend to take more risks, drive in ways they wouldn't normally, fail to wear their seatbelts or drive places they normally wouldn't.

In any case, the risk of driving on the roads during the holidays significantly increased the possibility of serious injury or death. While there is no way to fully avoid the dangers of other drivers on the road, there are a number of steps that you can take to safeguard your life and the life of your family.

Don't speed. The old expression is true, speed does kill. Slowing down and yielding the right of way can help reduce the stress of other drivers on the road, and can make the drive to and from your destination that much easier and safer.
Always wear your seatbelt. Even if you are simply driving down to the corner store to get another can of sweet potato pie for the Thanksgiving meal, buckle up. Seatbelts save lives, and are a simple and easy way to increase the likelihood that you will survive an accident.
Never drink and drive. Drinking and driving significantly increases the chance that you are going to cause an accident, and seriously injure or kill yourself or someone else. It's also illegal. Get a designated driver, stay the night wherever you are, or just don't drink. Save yourself, and save someone else.

If you have been injured in an accident during one of the most dangerous driving days of the year, you need to know that you have rights. Even though you are dealing with a difficult situation and likely have a number of serious concerns in your mind, you have to make sure that you have the financial means to pay for your medical bills, lost income at work and transportation while your vehicle situation resolves. Furthermore, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your pain and suffering. One way to ensure that you are able to take care of yourself and your family is to contact an auto accident lawyer and get started on your case immediately.

Every Driver's Must-Have Winter Driving Accessories

I know summer is right around the corner and most people are putting their winter driving accessories away. But, if there's anything you need to stock up on or replace for the next snowy season, now's the time to do so. Stores are clearing room on their shelves for all the tailgate accessories and sun shades, so you can find your winter driving accessories for a fraction of their regular cost. Plus, there's nothing worse than waking up on a snowy day and knowing that your car isn't ready to take on the frost. Avoid last-minute snow-gear shopping by stocking up today. Here's a list of must-have winter driving accessories.

Snow Tires/ Snow Chains
If you live in an area that snows a lot, you'll definitely want to invest in a good set of snow tires. Snow tires have tread patterns that are designed to dig into the snow and ice, therefore keeping a better grip on snowy and icy surfaces. This grip is critical to make sure your car can stop and steer safely. If you only drive in the snow periodically, tire chains ought to do the trick. Snow chains give you the traction you need to avoid slipping and sliding all over the road.

Rubber Car Mats
Rubber car mats are an absolute must for anyone who has to drive in the snow. While floor mats don't do anything to improve your driving capabilities in the snow, they do a whole lot to protect your interior from anything your boots can drag in. With snow often comes slush and mud, and if you don't have rubber car mats in place, that slush and mud get tracked in all over your carpets. Rubber car mats also provide good all-year protection, guarding against spilled coffees, dirt and debris.

Windshield Washer Heater
Ditch your old snow scrapper and step up to a windshield water heater. Windshield washer heaters heat your washer fluid to 125-135 degrees before spraying. That way you can easily remove frost, ice, snow and other debris from your windshield without having to stand out in the cold with a crummy scrapper. And, since it's powered from your vehicle's electrical system, it uses minimal energy.

Windshield Covers
Keep your windshield from freezing over in the first place by using a windshield cover. Windshield covers are made to withstand sleet, snow, ice and wind, and they cut down on the defrost time. That means you can set your alarm for 10 minutes later in the morning since you won't have to worry about scraping or defrosting your windshield.

Driving Safely in the Wet Weather

When the rainy season starts are you ready for it? This is also the time of year when total darkness sets in during the late afternoon and fog is lurking just around the corner. That means that the traffic-hour rush-time now is occurring in the dark and sometimes rain and fog also and the roads are going to be slicker and there are going to be holes in the road filled with water.

So, of course there are going to be many more accidents because of these things. The one most important thing to do is to drive much more slowly because for one thing this will give your tires more traction as more of the tread will be on the road. Also, you want to avoid those holes filled with water because if you hit one while traveling speedily down the road water can splash up and get in your car's engine sometimes actually causing it to stall. That's the last thing you want to happen when it's raining because you'll have to get out in the rain to fix the situation.

There are many other safe ways to drive in inclement weather such as try to drive steadily and when braking or turning try not to make quick movements and never follow closely behind another car. It has been proven that it can take up to three times longer to stop when you're driving on a wet road.

We've all probably heard the term "hydroplaning" but do you know what it means. It happens when you driving in wet weather and all four of your tires are in a puddle of water and you hit your brakes too hard causing your car to glide across the surface of the water, sometimes putting your car into a spin. This is not the time to put on your brakes, in fact that is the worst thing you could do. The situation should be handled differently depending on what type of transmission you have. With a manual transmission, you should push in the clutch and let the car slow down. The difference with an automatic transmission is that you should tightly hold on to the steering wheel while gently applying the brakes.

Driving in rainy weather is dangerous even if you're at your best, so if you're tired you need to find a good place to pull off the road to rest. While you're driving in the rain or fog you should keep all distractions under control and always keep your two hands on the steering wheel and both your eyes on the road.

If you have prepared for the wet weather before it actually is upon you, you will have checked your tires to make sure they all have enough tread and they are at the correct pressure for this type of weather. You should also have checked your spare tire to make sure it is ready for you when you need it and also that your jack is in good condition. It is also a good idea for those who live in an area where it rains a lot to have an extra pair of windshield wipers in your trunk.

Driving In The Hardtop Genre

Automakers are now attesting the edge of retractable hardtops over the conventional ragtops. Parenthetically, they are shifting to the modern technology to deliver fun open-air drive as well as secured weather resistance driving.

Mazda Miata is one of the leaders of hardtop technology. The car is made simple yet striking, affordable and perky. However, its greatest edge is its soft top that can be maneuvered with just a push on the button. In fact, said model can be operated by just using only one hand. Jay Amestoy, Mazda's spokesperson said that power retractable hardtop technology of Miata is a significant factor of its hefty 30% sales in the United States.

The move of automakers is so swift and apparent. "Yes, it costs a lot to engineer and install, but we found some of our target buyers -- women, especially -- see it as a big advantage in safety and security," says Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson. As to Pontiac, its G6 RHT went on sale last April. It was priced at about $29,000, $5,000 more than the coupe version. According to .D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network (PIN), G6 RHT takes an average 29 days to sell. PIN also observed that midsize cars in general, stay on dealer lots an average 53 days and sell for about $8,000 less than the G6 RHT. These findings are significant to automakers. The crucial move can give them rewarding profits so they opt to live in the hype of hardtops.

Volvo, on one hand, has set forth its C70, a 4-seater RHT that went on sale since midyear. The model is a compact car that shares Ford's C1 platform which was used with Volvo S40 parts. According to PIN, C70 sits on dealer lots 14 days. On the contrary, the Mercedes-Benz CLK ragtop sits 51 days.

The coupe convertible hardtop from Volvo was designed by John Kinsey and built by Pininfarina. It uses quality Volvo C70 parts that include strong three piece retractable metal that can be raised or lowered in a short span of 30 seconds. C70 replaced the cabriolet/convertible and the coupe segment, which are absent in Volvo's lineup since 2003.