It's show time, then test drive time at Ricart Mazda!

   An auto show is like a movie. You can see what it’s all about, but you can’t actually experience any of it. For that, you’ve gotta be in the real world! That’s why we love it every year when the Columbus Auto Show comes to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, and folks have the chance to see what’s new on the road, what’s on the horizon, and sometimes an early peek at what’s on the drawing board in the automotive industry.
   
Having a bunch of different cars, trucks, SUV’s, and crossovers all in one place, it’s a car enthusiasts dream, and a car shopper’s candy store! The only problem is you can’t drive the vehicles at the car show. Sure, you can sit in some of them, but you can’t grab the keys (or just push the start button) to fire up your favorite ride and tool around the extra wide hallways in the Convention Center, or up and down the aisles in the Exhibition Hall! That kind of activity definitely does not fit with proper auto show decorum, and will probably get you arrested. Actually, that’s pretty much a guaranteed criminal record and guest appearance in the next Need for Speed game!
   
So, let’s say you saw something you really like at the auto show, but where can you put it through its paces, safely and legally? Umm… that’s exactly the reason why we have as many vehicles as we do at The Ricart Megamall, and as many kinds of vehicles we have! It’s easy to compare and contrast vehicles when you can do it at one location with no fuss and no muss!
   
Whether you go to The Columbus Auto Show every year, or have never been, when the time comes to see what that new ride you’ve been thinking about is like when rubber actually hits blacktop, just stop by the Ricart Megamall. We’ll be waiting for you.

To boldly go... test drive the 2014 Mazda6 after you go see "Star Trek Into Darkness"

For more than 40 years, the vision begun by Gene Rodenberry has waxed and waned and waxed again, at least three or four times, while always holding true to the Star Trek foundations of breaking cultural molds and technological boundaries. That’s why Mazda and the new 2014 Mazda6 have joined up with “Star Trek Into Darkness”, the new JJ Abrams directed vision of the young Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and Enterprise crew, in the second of what may well turn out to be a trio of Star Trek films from Abrams .

The reimagining of Star Trek by Abrams is the perfect companion to the reimagining of the 2014 Mazda6 because both offer a fun ride… one at break-neck speeds, careening across the big screen, and the other, more sensibly following the speed limit and traffic laws, but with uncompromised performance and fuel efficiency with its SkyActiv Technology delivering the driving fun other sedans have only heard stories about! See the Star Trek themed Mazda6 ad here.

The new 2014 Mazda6 and its SkyActiv Technology give you up to an EPA estimated 38 MPG HWY, in a ride that looks great, feels great to drive, and won’t set you back a pile of dilithium crystals… the new 6 has an MSRP starting at under $21,000!

If you are going to check out “Star Trek Into Darkness”, have a great time at the show, and when it’s over, swing by Ricart Mazda in The Ricart Megamall and take the 2014 Mazda6 for a spin around the galaxy, err, test track. Save us the aisle seat, Ricart Mazda will save you the driver’s seat!

  The thermometer is bouncing up and down like a basketball on The March Madness hard wood , the Arnold Fitness Classic has come and gone, the award show season is done, and the count to baseball’s opening day is just around the bend. What do all these mean? It’s time for The Columbus Auto Show, when auto manufacturers tout their current wares, and offer a glimpse at what they have in store for us, or at least what they may have coming down the road. And this year, every single new Mazda you see at the Columbus Auto Show is from Ricart Mazda in The Ricart Megamall! That means you can get the exact new Mazda3, or redesigned Mazda6, CX5, Miata, or whatever Mazda you see at the Greater Columbus Convention Center this year at Ricart Mazda!

This year’s Columbus Auto Show runs March 14th through the 71th, and in addition to exhibits and presentations that fill a motor-head’s dreams, and the thoughts of somewhat less possessed car lovers, Dialed Action Sports BMX Team will have multiple shows each day, The Columbus Zoo will have some animals to check out Saturday and Sunday, Matt The Balloon Guy will be at The Show Sunday, so there’s things for the whole family to do!

The Columbus Auto Show hours are Noon to 9:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. And if you see a new Mazda you really want to drive, Ricart Mazda will be open 10 to 8 Thursday and Friday, 9 to 8 Saturday, and Noon to 6 Sunday! That makes it easy to take a spin in the new CX9, Mazda5, or any Mazda you saw at The Show on our six acre test track, on the road, or both! Oh, and take advantage of the $300 Mazda Auto Show Bonus thru the end of March!

Enjoy this year’s show, and we’ll see you at The Ricart Megamall soon!

  

   When you were younger, did you ever fly a sled or saucer down a hill covered snow that was not too dry, not too wet, but perfectly packable. So perfect that you felt like you really were flying. Remember that feeling? That my friend is Zoom-Zoom, the thrill that comes from not just driving a car, but driving a Mazda. And with the addition of Mazda's Skyactiv technology for the 2012 model year, the Zoom is even Zoomier, and more economic at Ricart Mazda.

   Forget the one horse open sleigh this year, and riding down-wind of the exhaust system of the horse pulling it. Go with the Mazda 5, CX7 or CX9 instead and get the whole clan to the party safely, in style, and with a huge smile of driving satisfaction on your face. 

   With visions of the Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 dancing in everybody's head this time of year, Ricart Mazda combines value with selection to make Zoom-Zoom dreams come true for all, and to all a good drive!

   And if chill air and snow just aren't your cup of Holiday Cheer, how about a trip south in a new Mazda Miata? With a little luck you should be topless by South Carolina. (That'd be the car top down, not... never mind.)

   You get the point. It's a great time at Ricart Mazda in The Ricart Megamall to get the Zoom-Zoom you really want this Season, and make your driving the merriest it can be.
  

2012 Mazda 5 now at Ricart Mazda!

Have you seen the television commercial for that bloated,

lunkering van that blares "The Helion" by Judas Priest as the rear gate opens to reveal a Marshall amp and speaker stack worthy of KK Downing and Glen Tipton (Priest's guitar players). Oh, and then you see the head of a Lemmy clone floating in the stage fog. It is all so wrong in so many ways.

Mazda, on the other hand, has gotten it right once again with the new, redesigned,
2012 Mazda 5 which is arriving now at Ricart Mazda in The Ricart Megamall.

You can call the 2012 Mazda 5 a "minivan", and you'd be right!
You can also say it's a "crossover", and be right as well. Huh? How could it be both?

Well, with seating like a minivan, and the size and economy of a crossover, there is no other vehicle around that matches up with the 2012 Mazda 5. It really is versatile, fun, gets 28 mpg highway... a great value! Oh, and you can test drive one now at The Ricart Megamall's 6 acre test track and see for yourself. You can also check out the specs for the 2012 Mazda 5 at Mazda's main 5 site, and you should see what Motor Trend had to say about their test drive experience of the new 2.5 liter Mazda 5.

The new, 2012 Mazda 5 is in its own class, and the perfect blend of vehicle philosophy and styling, performance and just plain fun that other manufacturers just don't care to make. That means it sucks to be them, and great to be you, now that the new Mazda 5 has arrived at Ricart Mazda. See you soon for your test drive!

Cash for Clunkers begins!

The federal program known as "Cash for Clunkers" is now underway, with people racing in by the score to trade that older, not-to-economical vehicle, for a new, ecologically and economically sound vehicle... not to mention the Zoom Zoom they get by default simply by getting their new Mazda from Ricart Mazda!
If you are planning on taking advantage of "Cash for Clunkers", we'll see you soon!

Mazda Ricart does "CARS" Math

At Ricart Mazda we sat down with a calculator and did a little simple math involving the numbers you have heard thrown around whenever you hear about the "Cash For Clunkers" program.

The first number is one-billion, the amount of money the program has been given. That looks like this...$1,000,000,000. In case you haven't counted yourself, that's with nine zeroes!

The next number is $4,000, and that's the average amount to be given by the program when you trade an uneconomical vehicle.

So, if you divide $1,000,000,000 by $4,000, you get 250,000 that will get the cash. In today's automotive environment, that is 8 days worth of new car sales across the United States. Eight days!

The CARS program will certainly help many people to get a more economical ride, but the resources are limited, and will be honored on a first come, first served basis, so the early bird will indeed catch the worm. That's why at Ricart Mazda, we invite our customers to visit our store in The Ricart Megmall now to lock in the new Mazda they want, and make certain everything is in place to help make sure they do not miss out! There's even a special number they can call to set up their visit, 888-355-6934.

That sure is a bunch of numbers, so even if you aren't very good at math, the result is clear... if you are planning on going with the CARS program, best to come see us sooner than later!

Mazda Loyalty Cash like found money at Ricart Mazda

How cool would it be to be walking down the street, and looking down to see $500 just lying there? Of course, since there hasn’t been a $500 bill in circulation in the U.S. for decades it would have to be a neat pile of, let’s say, hundreds. Hey, it’s America, it could happen. (Oh, and in case you are wondering, McKinley was on the old $500.)

Well, if you currently own a Mazda and have been thinking about getting a new one, you can find your $500 at Ricart Mazda in the Megamall, because Mazda has just announced a special $500 Loyalty Bonus Cash offer for anyone owning a Mazda. All you have to do is bring the registration or other proof of ownership with you when you come to pick out your new 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 2008 or 2009 Mazda5, CX7, or CX9, or even the new, redesigned 2009 Mazda6! And that’s not all, ‘cause you can combine the Loyalty Cash with other applicable public incentives and Ricart discounts. The easiest way to look at all of this is you will be getting even greater value when you drive home in your new Mazda than you normally would from Ricart Mazda… and that’s saying a bunch!

Hey, a test drive is free, so stop by Ricart Mazda in The Ricart Megmall, look the new Mazda’s over and see which best fits your life. (I think I’d go for the new 2009 Mazda6, but you probably already knew that!)

Those who know value of money love the 2009 Mazda 6.

There’s more and more buzz in the air about the arrival of the new, 2009 Mazda6 at Ricart Mazda, and this time it’s from the accounting office. (You’ll see, just go with it.)

You probably already know a bit about the new 6, with its improved size, power, performance, and quality… and as a result, an even higher value than the first gen. Mazda 6, and that’s saying a whole lot! I’m also sure you have read at least some of the reviews about the redesigned 2009 Mazda 6, so you know the critics have fallen in love it as much as critics can, and we are pretty sure you will fall in love too!!

What you may have yet to hear is the new Mazda 6 is now class leader in leg room- both front and back, cargo volume, turning diameter, V6 engine, and rear hip room. Combine all that with class unique features like the Blind Spot Monitoring System, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, rain-sensing wipers, Bose 10 speaker surround sound system and more, all in a sedan with an average MSRP of nearly $1,000 less than Accord, about $700 less than Altima, and considerably less than Camry too!! That’s why the folks in accounting are all excited… they love value just like you do!

Hmmm… you get more for each dollar you spend, and spend less over-all for the redesigned Mazda 6… You really need to get to Ricart Mazda in the Ricart Megmall to take the 2009 Mazda 6 for a spin. Whether it’s on our test track, or on area streets and highways, when you test drive the new 6, you will experience the next level of Zoom-Zoom. Just point your toe and go!

The all new, redsigned Mazda6 is here... and I want one now!

The twenty-four month lease on my 2007 Mazda6i Value has less than a year to go, and I really, really hope time flies, because I just had the chance to drive the new, redesigned 2009 Mazda6… and I want one bad!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I still love the ’07! It’s been a lot of fun to drive, the fuel injected 2.3 litre, 4 cylinder engine has given performance and economy, the design has given my family plenty of room, and my old 6 is easy on the eyes and always has been. It’s the perfect car… at least it was until I drove the 2009. Hey, there’s no need to take my word for it (although I think you should because I am an Eagle Scout, and my mom will vouch for me!), check out what a couple of sites had to say about the redesigned, 2009 Mazda6:

When the all-new 2009 Mazda6 was driven in a side by side test against in-class cars like Camry and Accord, Autoblog said, "Our seat-of-the-pants impression was that the all-new Mazda6 was undeniably the most enjoyable of the bunch to drive!!"

Being a second gen car, the all-new 2009 Mazda6 ups the ante with more Zoom-Zoom. PopularMechanics.com says, "Where the 2.5 liter four feels pretty peppy out on the road, the 272-hp V-6 is downright intoxicating!"

As if that’s not enough to pique your interest, if you could have seen the slack-jawed stares of the staff at Ricart Mazda in The Megamall when the first 2009 Mazda6 was backed down the ramp of the car-hauler, you’d probably already be at Ricart picking out your new 6 now! And that’s the dilemma I am in. Sure it’s a really good dilemma, having a great Mazda 6 in the driveway but wanting an even better, redesigned Mazda6.

That’s cool. I can be patient, at least for a little while.

RX... Prescription for a great sports car!

There’s zoom-zoom, and then there’s zoom- movin’ so fast you’re rippin’ the tires off their rims-zoom, which accurately describes the RX7 driven by Fred Ricart’s youngest son Ross to a second place finish at Sebring in SCCA ITS class racing last month in a car owned by Buzz Marcus, an RX7 with an impressive racing record of 31 victories in the series over the past few years making it the winningest car in SCCA history. Not letting his son forget who hit the track first, Fred Ricart also recently enjoyed success on the track, behind the wheel of an SM when he won the 12 hour SCCA ITA race at Homestead. Must be something in their blood!

While the Mazda RX may not be the right sports car for everyone, anyone serious about a performance car that will leave other brands standing still knows the Mazda is very tough to beat, especially if they have ever driven one on the track where they shine even more than on the public pavement.

Sure the RX is a hot commodity as driven off the showroom floor, but it really shines when given some tweaking, like ramping up the horsepower with supercharging from a Lysholm twin-screw compressor, an alteration you can have done through Ricart Mazda in the Ricart Megamall, Columbus, Ohio. The cost of updating a 1994 or newer RX is $5,500 and gives you the performance you want without changing the reliability or operation of your car, except you will be able to pass in sixth gear and will be driving what Buzz says is “...the finest car I’ve ever driven”!

The pictured RX8, owned by Buzz Marcus, has a modified interior including a roll cage and all the other race amenities in a normally aspirated Speedsource RX8 creation which will hit the track soon as the mate to the race proven RX7. The real beauty of the RX8 for sports car enthusiasts is they currently have a $3000 manufacturer’s rebate that is available even on the 40th Anniversary Edition, an offer mostly unheard of for a limited production vehicle, which makes the RX8 affordable for the sportster with even a modest budget. The addition of the supercharger is a $5500 operation that can give you a hyper-performing RX with up to 300 horsepower for $32,500 through Ricart Mazda.

If you have been reading this with your right big toe subconsciously pointing to the floor, then a trip to Ricart Mazda in the Megmall is in order for a test drive. And if you already have a 1994 through 1998 RX, Ricart will team with Speedsource to give you the chance to add a supercharger to yours in a street version that’s just as sweet as the RX that’s been tearing up the tracks. Zoom indeed.