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Cato: 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.

Vaughan: 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.

Cato: 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.

Vaughan: Come one, Cato. The free financing is driving that number. You should know that.

Cato: Not entirely. 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...

Vaughan: And good fuel economy (9.6 city/7.1 hwy litres/100 km).

Cato: Stop interrupting; I'm making a point here.

Vaughan: As always, taking your time getting there, larding on the details. Lean thinking, Cato, lean thinking.

Cato: Point is, 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.

Vaughan: Ah, ha. You took your time sharing details about that $500 grad award. Put that together with the zero financing, and the deal here is worth in the neighbourhood of $4,000 on a $22,000 van.

Cato: Okay, a few quick thoughts on what you get with this useful and comfortable van. For 2008, Mazda revamped the Mazda5. The biggest change is a new five-speed automatic transmission replacing the four-speed.

Vaughan: This is good. The extra ratio boosts fuel economy and performance.

Cato: 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.

Vaughan: The interior has been improved, too, Cato.

Cato: Right. 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.

Vaughan: I looked over the standard and available features. Here is what is missing: traction control and electronic stability control.

Cato: Right. 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.

Vaughan: No crash test scores from the feds, either.

Cato: None, too, from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Vaughan: Valid point. Cato, I've owned several minivans in my time…

Cato: And you've had lots and lots of time on this Earth…

Vaughan: What I'm trying to say is that the Mazda5 should not be an afterthought for anyone who wants a smart-sized minivan.

Cato: I agree. As minivans go, this is sort of a cool one.

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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)

Days to turn: 13

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

Source: Power Information Network