I’m very much attracted with how the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring looks and that’s probably what I’ll buy here in Houston. However, I’m meaning to ask first, what can you say about its performance?

Sergio

Houston, TX

For sure, any Houston car dealer will tell you that you will have a nice ride with the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring. Its rear-wheel-drive is power-driven by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated at a horsepower of 167 and torque of 140-pound-feet. The usual test car of a Houston car dealer for the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring features the typical six-speed manual transmission. A drive test has recorded a run of 6.9 seconds from zero to 60 mph which is about half a second fasted that the previous MX-5 that has been tested. It has also been found that the engine enhancements for the 2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring were obvious – it does not bog like before and the upper revs are not anymore wasted.

This MX-5 gives out a sporty roar that lies across a high-performance motorcycle and a Honda’s old-school VTEC. The shifter and clutch are among the finest at whichever cost because not like a lot of manual-transmission tandems, its shifter and clutch really feels smoother and more defined when hurried. Certainly, the MX-5 can use a little added power; however, any person who likes sports cars would have a sack of running this ragtop because of its closely spaced components.

The braking performance of the MX-5 Miata Grand Touring is away from criticism and fade is not an issue. One other powerful suit of the Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring is its fuel economy at an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city/28 highway.

I think the Mazda 3 is pretty cramped for me and my wife, and I’m thinking of getting something bigger but I’m tempted to check out the other cars out there. Should I even consider the Mazda 6 as an option for me right now as our ride of choice here in Texas?

Christian

Houston, TX

Say it with me, Christian, “zoom, zoom, zoom.” Goodness, that old Mazda ad’s stuck in my head. Okay, enough zoom with the Mazda 3, so let’s go big with the Mazda 6. Yeah, Christian, I still think the Mazda 6 is worth a shot for you and your wife in Texas. What’s there worth checking in the Mazda 6? Read on.

Well, if its space that you want, this mid-size sedan definitely has enough for both you and your wife and a few kids as well. Features raved by current owners of this car range from performance to driver/ passenger conveniences like keyless entry, keyless ignition, dual climate control, satellite radio, blind spot monitoring, rain-sensing wipers and even seat memory. For power, there’s a 272 hp 3.7 liter V6 Mazda 6 available, if you are leaning towards fuel economy, you can always opt for a 170 hp 2.5 liter 4-cylinder trim. These are denoted by either “i” or “s” on the trim level. Having an “i” gives you the 4-cylinder and “s” means you’ll get a V6. Trims range from i-SV, i-Sport, i-Touring, i-Grand Touring, s- Sport, s-Touring and s-Grand Touring. The differences among these trims just revolve around the luxury appointments and electronics you get in the car, much like those I mentioned earlier.

I saw a Mazda zoom past me here in Texas. I’m certain it wasn’t an MX-5, so it must be the RX-8. Can you tell me more about it?

Richard

Houston, TX

Zoo, zoom, zoom! Hello, Richard! Yes, it was definitely the RX-8. I think that you will be excited to know more about it. One critical difference from other cars that you should know of first is the 1.3 Liter Renesis Engine. 1.3 liter? Yes, 1.3 liter, its not your usual 4 cylinder piston engine, the Renesis is a rotary engine. I even read somewhere that Renesis stands for Rotary Engine geNESIS. Catchy? Being a rotary engine, this thing has less moving parts than the traditional engines that you are used to. This engine type is thought of as more reliable or durable.

Anyway, the RX-8 is available in 4 trims namely the Sport, Touring, Grand Touring and R3 which mainly differ on luxury appointments like moon/ sun roofs, leather seating and the like. But more importantly for speed freaks like us, if ever you’re going to choose an RX-8 to drive around Texas, do go for the 5-speed manual. I mean, having 9,000 rpm as a redline value, you gotta max it out with a manual. In terms of power and sprinting ability, the RX-8′s Renesis churns out 238 hp at 8,500 rpm and it sprints to 60 miles per hour in 6.6 seconds. There’s more to find out about the RX-8, why don’t you get yourself behind the wheel of one?

What SUV choices are there from Mazda? My wife is bugging me to check out some cars at the local dealers here in Texas. I’ve heard a friend mention the Tribute. Is it any good?

Alex

Houston, TX

Hello, Alex. Choosing an SUV usually depends on the type of use you have planned for the vehicle. You have to decide based on whether the car is for daily use or you plan on a lot of outdoor weekend trips. You should also base your decision on your expected seating for the vehicle. Do you have a large family, a lot of friends or simply a lot of cargo to haul? Let’s base our decision on these.

Fortunately enough for you, there is only one SUV from Mazda. This car has been around for quite some time now, so pay tribute to the Tribute. Space-wise you can seat about 5 and get more than 65 cubic feet of storage with the 60/40 knockdown rear seat. In my opinion, that is ample space for an entire family load of luggage or other gear. Depending on your use, you can choose from either the i-class or the s-class that have the 4-cylinder 2.5 L DOHC VVT that packs about 171 hp or the 6-cylinder 240 hp 3.0 L DOHC VVT engines respectively. Three trims are available per class and they differ in terms of transmission types (manual or automatic) and some cosmetic features. Trims available are Sport, Touring and Grand Touring. In terms of drive systems, there is also an option for 4WD available for all trims.

Have fun with the Tribute, Alex

I’m in the market for a sedan, and I’ve gotten curious about the Mazda 6. Can someone offer some advice? I want to schedule a trip to my dealer here in Texas.

Erwin

Houston, TX

Hey, Erwin, advice on the Mazda 6 is coming your way before you set off on your way to any Texas Mazda dealer. I have some friends also curious about the car. So, we’ve been discussing how to look for and appreciate this vehicle from the Mazda Company. One thing is already clear to us, though, the Mazda 6 is definitely a step up from its predecessor, the Mazda 626.

I’d first take a look at the available trim levels. For one car, this sure is confusing if I wanted to buy it. At the current model year, there are seven trims available. There are four trim levels available with a 2.5 liter Dual Overhead Cam engine (DOHC) with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and these are the iSV, iSport, iTouring and iGrand Touring. Standard on these trims is the 6-speed manual transmission, while an option for a 5-speed automatic is available on the Touring, Grand Touring and Sport trims. All can rev up to 170 hp at 6,000 rpm. If you want to kick it up a notch, the three trims on the S models will give you up to 272 hp at 6,250 rpm with their 3.7 liter DOHC 24-valve 6 cylinder engine. That kind of power will come in handy for that sudden burst of speed when you are in a tight spot on the road. The trims on the S models, sTouring, sSport and sGrand Touring also differ from the four other trims with their 6-speed Sport Automatic transmission. In terms of suspension and drive quality, the independent front suspension and multi-link rear will give a comfortable ride in varying pavement conditions. One thing worth looking at is the speed sensing power assist for the steering system. This makes for better handling of the vehicle on different driving conditions.