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AUTO REVIEW: 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF

NNPA NEWSWIRE — What made the MX-5 so popular was the fact that it was a roadster and over the years Mazda has had the good sense to keep it a roadster in the best British tradition of Triumph and MG.

Published

6 years ago

May 20, 2019

Oakland Post

By Frank S. Washington, AboutThatCar.com, NNPA Newswire Contributor

DETROIT – Thirty years. That’s how long the Mazda MX-5 has been around. It was a hit from day one and now it has reached icon status.

When Mazda tried to change the name from Miata to MX-5 diehard fans refused to go along. Many people still call it Miata, so do I. But in the interest of journalistic accuracy I’ll use MX-5 in this space.

What made the MX-5 so popular was the fact that it was a roadster and over the years Mazda has had the good sense to keep it a roadster in the best British tradition of Triumph and MG.

What that means is a two-seat light weight ragtop with a great power to weight ratio. And they’ve added a hardtop convertible for those who want to drive in cooler weather.

I had the hardtop and driving it was still a lot of fun. I had the six-speed manual; there is a six-speed automatic. I could and did skirt through traffic. The car had great acceleration and maneuverability; it was not overtly fast, but it was awfully quick. Interestingly enough I never felt like I was in a small car until I got out of the MX-5.

Still, the interior was not cramped. Shifting was easy. Other than the windows, everything was manual: the seats and the tilt telescoping steering wheel. Outside noise got in but somehow it wasn’t road noise.

The sport suspension was firm but not harsh. Cornering was great, the brakes were solid and the sight lines were good. Never did I feel overwhelmed or undersized by other vehicles. At first, I thought the steering wheel could have been a little thicker. But after a day or so I found it to be just the right size.

This is the fourth generation of the car and what they have done is bring it into the 21^st Century from a connectivity standpoint. It now has USB jacks and it can stream and it has satellite radio amongst other things including Bluetooth and a navigation system. It even had heated seats.

Designers pinched the hood and grille and they now swoop down to meet the front fascia. They did the same thing in the rear. They added LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. They tightened the sheet metal and overall gave the MX-5 a much more contemporary look.

But that was just for openers. Engineers gave the MX-5 more punch by increasing horsepower and torque. The net results are 181 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 151 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, an increase of 26 horsepower and 3 pound-feet of torque, respectively.

The car got 26 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg combined.

Mazda said, “The numbers only tell so much, though; power is more usable throughout the engine’s entire range, with the engine responding more quickly to every input.”

I never had to downshift to generate more power. What’s more, there was a spot at the exit of the Lodge Freeway onto Telegraph Road North. The pavement is not completely flat. There were short rolls that the MX-5’s suspension picked up. The thing I noted was that I could not feel the vibrations through the steering wheel. That’s engineering.

I had the Club RF trim package. It included a limited-slip rear differential, Bilstein dampers, shock tower brace and a black roof. The top retracted into its storage compartment with the push of a button in a relatively swift 13 seconds without intruding into the cargo area.

The coupe weighed just 115 lbs. more than the soft top. There was a rearview camera (it’s the law) and blind spot alert which is needed in a car as small as the Mazda MX-5.

Mazda calls it the Gram Strategy, save weight by shaving off a few pounds here and a few pounds there. They used more high strength tensile steel in the structure and that made the frame stronger but lighter. Weight was shaved off of the air condition system, the seats, suspension, transmission, driveshaft and instruments. The roadster weighs about 150 lbs. less than the car it replaced.

The 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF was a great car. The best part may be the sticker. As tested, it was priced at $38,335.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com

Oakland Post

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org