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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.
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
- Blue
- Grey
- 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:
- Honda Civic
- Chevrolet Cavalier
- Mazda3
Average monthly payments: (includes PST & GST)
- Lease (48 month term): $398
- Finance (60 month term): $466
Source: Power Information Network
