Mazda Canada isn't giving away Mazda5s, but I still think this mini minivan is a good deal.
The big handout is zero per cent financing. Over five years it's worth about $3,565 on the most basic version
— which sells for $22,285, freight included. That's what you keep in your pocket -- $3,356 -- if you are a buyer
comparing zero per cent against line of credit financing at 6.0 per cent. Canada's car companies are throwing out all
sorts of free-money deals these days.

The one on the Mazda5 caught my eye because 87 per cent of Mazda5 buyers finance the deal. 

The free financing is driving that number. 

Eighty-five per cent of buyers are under age 54, according to the Power Information Data below.
This is a family wagon with sliding side doors and available seating up to seven and good fuel economy
(9.6 city/7.1 hwy litres/100 km).

The Mazda5 is aimed directly at young families. Young families often have new graduates in the mix.
If so, Mazda Canada has an extra $500 in incentive money on the table.

Dealers, of course, can sell for even less by sharing part of their very slim profit margin, too.
But be forewarned: there isn't much direct profit for dealers in the Mazda5.

Put that $500 together with the zero financing, and the deal here is worth in the neighbourhood of $4,000
on a $22,000 van.

For 2008, Mazda revamped the Mazda5. The biggest change is a new five-speed automatic transmission replacing the four-speed.
The extra ratio boosts fuel economy and performance. As minivans go, the Mazda5 is a bit on the sporty side.
Sure, sure, the 153-horsepower four-banger under the hood is not overwhelmingly powerful, but just lively enough to make the
ride interesting.

The interior has been improved, too. There are separate vents and fan controls for the second row and a redesign of the centre
console works well, too. I do wish the pedals were spaced a bit better. Remember, the base model comes with a manual transmission
and it is possible — with the pedals so tight -- to tangle your right foot under the edge of the brake pedal.
It happened to me more than once when I lifted my foot off the throttle to hit the brakes.

Looking  over the standard and available features, here is what is missing: traction control and electronic stability control.

Government safety officials say stability control — an anti-skid system — is an excellent safety feature.
In fact, it'll be required within a few years.

No crash test scores from the feds, none, too, from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

2008 Mazda5

Buyer's Age Range:

• 16-34 years: 32.2%
• 35-54 years: 53.0%
• 55+ years: 14.8%

Gender ratio:

• Female: 41.8%
• Male: 58.2%

Type of sale:

• Cash/non-dealer financing: 2.2%
• Finance: 87.1%
• Lease: 10.6%

Most popular colours

1. Blue
2. Grey
3. Silver

Vehicle price: $25,590 (does not include taxes, license or title fees)

Trade ins: 30.7% (does not include lease returns)

Top three trade ins:

1. Honda Civic
2. Chevrolet Cavalier
3. Mazda3

Average monthly payments: (includes PST & GST)

• Lease (48 month term): $398
• Finance (60 month term): $466