The Top 3 Scenic Drives in North Florida
The Jacksonville, FL, area is close to some of the most picturesque parts of the state, so it’s the perfect place to set off on a relaxing day trip with no particular agenda in mind. Roll the windows down and take one of our three favorite scenic drives in North Florida.
The 3 Top Scenic Drives Near Jacksonville, FL
SR-13 From Jacksonville to Spuds
For this scenic route, you’ll start in Jacksonville and travel south along the St. Johns River for an up-close view of old Florida. In addition to the stunning water views, you’ll see historic buildings and homes, including the former residences of writer Harriet Beecher Stowe and composer Frederick Delius. The 55-mile stretch is shaded by towering oak trees and drapes of Spanish moss.
Spuds is a tiny town situated in the middle of the state’s northeastern potato farming region. When you arrive, you can take a side trip to Deep Creek Conservation area, which has hiking and biking trails where you can spot blackbirds, egrets, herons, and other marsh and wading birds. Bring a kayak or canoe if you want to paddle in Deep Creek or along the river. You’ll find a boat access ramp on SR-207 just west of its intersection with SR-206 at the Deep Creek Bridge.
Read the rest of this entry »5 Benefits of Getting OEM Parts for Your Mazda
The best way to keep your Mazda running smoothly for longer is by using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components. OEM parts are designed by Mazda specifically for your model, and they offer numerous benefits over generic parts. Here are tips from your local Mazda dealer on why you should rely on original parts for all car repairs and maintenance.
Advice From Your Mazda Dealer: 5 Benefits of Getting OEM Parts For Your Mazda
1. Perfect Fit and Alignment
OEM components are made by Mazda for your specific car make and model. They are engineered and designed following the same quality standards as the original parts that came with the vehicle. This guarantees a perfect fit and excellent alignment. There is no worry about diminished aesthetics or unusual rattling noises caused by parts that don’t fit correctly.
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Should you purchase a new or used car from your Mazda dealer? Read on for helpful insight into how to make the best choice for you.
New or Used Car Costs
If you’re on a budget, at the outset, a used car may seem like a better pick. In general, the older a vehicle, the less you will pay for it up-front. A new Mazda will begin depreciating as soon as it’s driven off the lot. After the first three years, depreciation will run an average of about 40 percent. This means that you may be able to find a three-year-old Mazda for almost half the price of a newer Mazda. In addition, it will likely cost you less to insure an older model.
But new Mazdas have some financial benefits, too. You can often secure a better financing deal (with lower interest) with a new model, which helps lower your monthly payments. New models also come with less maintenance costs, and any service expenses you do incur are covered by the Mazda three-year (36,000-mile) bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year (60,000-mile) powertrain warranty. And new Mazdas are very affordable. The most recent Mazda3 can be had at a starting price of around $25,000.
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Do you feel like you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life for a day or two? While Jacksonville, FL is a great city to call home, we all need to take a short break from our usual routine every once in a while. If you want to get away, but don’t know where you want to escape to, read on to discover our favorite small towns within driving distance of Jax.
3 Charming Small Towns in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL
1. Neptune Beach
Neptune Beach is one of the cutest towns near Jax, and there are several activities you can enjoy here. Our favorite thing to do in Neptune Beach is swing by Jax Surf & Paddle at 241 Atlantic Boulevard #102. You can rent hard and soft top surfboards for anywhere from an hour to seven days. You can also rent skimboards, bodyboards, and paddleboards for up to a week.
Jax Surf & Paddle doesn’t just rent everything you need to enjoy the local waterways. They can give you the skills you need to practice a new hobby safely. You can take private surfing lessons or public surfing classes. You can benefit from private surfing lessons regardless of your skill level, and every Saturday there are beginner and intermediate public classes.
Read the rest of this entry »Customizing Features on a New Mazda
The 2023 Mazda lineup is full of exciting vehicle options for drivers. But what should you do if you want to customize a few features or add accessories to your new car before you purchase your Mazda? Luckily, you can easily customize features before you finalize your purchase at your Mazda dealership.
Customize Features on a New Mazda
Customizing the features of your Mazda is a simple process that you can do online in less than 20 minutes. Mazda has an online tool that allows you to customize most parts of your new car so you can drive your ultimate Mazda. The steps for customizing your car include:
Step One: Choose Your Car
All the 2023 models can be customized, from the Mazda CX-30 to the Mazda MX-5 Miata RF. You may find that some cars you can customize online are from the 2024 lineup, which means these are cars slated for production in the coming months. By customizing a 2024 car now, you can be first in line when these cars are released on the market.
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There are many reasons to love living in Jacksonville, FL, including its proximity to a wide variety of things to do. You can spend the day touring a museum or plantation and end your day with a concert that will rock your world. If you are unsure of how you want to spend your day, we recommend loading your family into your Mazda CX-90 and checking out one of these exciting weekend activities.
3 Weekend Activities You Can Drive to Near Jacksonville, FL
1. Visit Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
If your kids are tired of being cooped up in the house on a beautiful summer day, we strongly recommend taking them to Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens at 370 Zoo Parkway. There are over 100 acres of award-winning gardens and exhibits to explore, including Giraffe Overlook, Amphibian Conservation Center, and Emerald Forest Aviary. There is also a permanent collection of artwork and traveling sculptural exhibits that you won’t want to miss.
Read the rest of this entry »Taking Care of Your Mazda’s Interior: 5 Smart Tips
Taking care of your Mazda’s interior is not just a matter of aesthetics. It helps your ride hold its value and makes every drive more enjoyable. So check out these interior car care tips from your local Mazda dealer.
Advice From Your Mazda Dealer: 5 Interior Car Care Tips for Your Mazda
1. Dust and Vacuum the Interior
Even with the most stringent measures, dust is inevitable in any car’s interior. Dust can settle into hard-to-reach crevices, affecting the appearance and function of various components. Use a hand-held vacuum with various attachments and pay attention to the crevices and tight spots inside the car. Use a microfiber cloth to dust off and clean surfaces like the dashboard and steering wheel.
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Jacksonville, FL, is one of the Sunshine State’s best East Coast gems, and you don’t have to spend much money to have fun in this city. These free things to do are family-friendly, immersive, and representative of this city’s best. Your 2022 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD with adaptive cruise control and a Wi-Fi hotspot can get you and the family there in complete comfort, and keeps them totally connected.
Drive on Down: 5 Free Things to Do Near Jacksonville, FL
1. Kingsley Plantation
The Kingsley Plantation, at 11676 Palmetto Ave. on Fort George Island, is one of Jacksonville’s most historic locations. Plus, it’s surrounded by plenty of hiking trails so that you can combine your journey into the past with some exercise.
The Kingsley Plantation combines several structures, including cabins, a barn, and several other structures. You can walk through the grounds, then explore the area around the plantation and do some trekking and birdwatching.
Read the rest of this entry »3 Mazda Vehicles With Excellent Fuel Efficiency
Common convention holds that in order to attain good fuel efficiency, a vehicle must sacrifice power and fun. Mazda turns that notion on its head with its lineup of capable cars and SUVs that bring the thrills without the gas guzzling. Consider these fine models, available at your local Mazda dealer!
At Your Mazda Dealer: 3 Mazda Vehicles With Excellent Fuel Efficiency
1. 2023 Mazda3
Whether you opt for the Mazda3 in its sedan or hatchback form, you’ll be able to enjoy terrific gas mileage—up to an EPA-rated 37 MPG highway with the standard 191-horsepower 2.5L inline-4 engine. An available turbocharged version of the motor developing 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque delivers stirring acceleration while achieving an EPA rating of 31 MPG highway. Many trims offer Mazda’s intelligent i-Activ all-wheel drive system.
Despite its affordable price, the Mazda3 has a sophisticated interior that boasts a high degree of craftsmanship. Mazda spent years researching human anatomy and ergonomics, which has resulted in an exceedingly comfortable driving environment where you’ll feel at one with the car. On top of that, the vehicle is available with amenities like heated seats and an 8-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support.
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There’s nothing quite like browsing local bookstores in person. Fortunately, Jacksonville, FL has quite a few excellent shops to choose from. You’ll love how easy the navigation system in your 2023 Mazda3 Hatchback makes going from one store to the next. Here are our top three local shops you’ll want to head to for a day of book shopping.
3 Favorite Local Bookstores in Driving Distance of Jacksonville, FL
1. Chamblin Bookmine
This is one of the larger shops in Jacksonville to look for used, new, collectible, and out-of-print books. They also sell other types of media like DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, and more. This shop has been part of the community since 1976 and has a warehouse full of stock with two retail locations. Altogether, they estimate they have a few million books, so they’re the go-to place if you want to find a specific title.
You’ll want to come to this shop when you really have a substantial amount of time to browse their large selection. Their main retail location is located at 4551 Roosevelt Boulevard here in Jacksonville. They are open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Monday through Thursday. On the weekends, they are open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday and Saturday but closed Sundays.
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