Tarago meets passenger car safety regulations from that 1990 model, something that was far from the norm at the time as most competitors still used the old van-with-windows format. This emphasis on safety in the Toyota was one of the major reasons it became such a big hit.

The model known affectionately as the ‘egg-shaped’ Tarago, sold from 1990 until 2000. It has its engine mounted under the front seats so doesn’t provide the safety cushion of a conventional front-mounted engine as used in later models. However, there was some crash protection as there's a fair bit of bodywork in front of the front occupants’ feet and legs.

Seating is offered for seven or eight depending on whether the centre row consists of two bucket seats or a three-seat bench. A poor feature of the 1990 Tarago is that all rear occupants have to get in and out of the one door. From 2000 onwards there are passenger door on both sides. Tarago is spacious, with a virtually flat floor throughout, that makes for more comfortable travel in the centre positions, but moving about inside isn’t all that easy due to the relatively low roof.

Boot space is reasonable with all the seats in operation and large if the rear seat is folded out of the way. It’s not possible to carry large amounts of luggage for seven or eight people if they are all travelling in the vehicle.

Tarago’s driving position is about halfway between a forward-control van and a conventional car in its feel. You may find it awkward at first, so take it for a decent test drive, not just a quick run around the block to give your brain time to become accustomed to the feel.

Performance from the in-line, four-cylinder, 2.4-litre engine is adequate for most drivers. Toyota offers the option of a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.

A V6 option for the Tarago finally arrived early in 2007 but it’s not all that popular and there aren’t a lot on the used-car scene in these relatively early times.

Most Taragos have rear-wheel drive, but some early models offered the option of extra grip by way of four-wheel drive. These latter weren’t aimed at off-road users, but at providing greater safety on slippery bitumen and unmade roads.

Handling and road grip in post-1990 Taragos were substantially better than in the older models. You wouldn’t exactly call it sporting, but it's pleasant enough and safe at average speeds.

Tarago has very good resale value so you will pay top dollar for a good one. Naturally, that’s to your benefit when you come to trade it in.

Be aware that Taragos have been a longtime favourite with commercial operators, as hotel shuttle buses and airport transfer vehicles. These may have done some hard work, though to compensate for this they are usually serviced religiously by the book. Ask to see the service records.

Toyota’s spare parts network is one of the largest in Australia and has operated efficiently for decades. Parts prices are about average for this type of vehicle, though some body parts on the 1990 Tarago model can be pretty expensive due to their size and complexity. We haven’t heard any complaints about availability of parts on early models at this time, but they may not be too far off. Parts recyclers are, as usual, a handy source of bits for older cars.

Insurance on the Tarago can be slightly more expensive than average but not outrageously so. Shop around for the best deal, but be sure to understand exactly what you are getting for your money.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Check the condition of the seats, carpet and trim carefully for signs of heavy-duty usage.

Make sure the engine starts easily. Ideally get to it when it’s stone cold in the morning, and look for a puff of smoke from the exhaust when it first kicks over.

Engine wear may also show up smoke from the exhaust pipe when the engine is accelerated hard after it’s been idling for a while.

The gearbox or automatic transmission should be precise and smooth in operation, with no crunching from a manual gearbox on fast downchanges.

If you think a 4WD Tarago has been taken off-road, inspect it underneath for damage caused by stones, logs and suchlike. This is certainly not common, but we have come across one that had obviously spent time at the beach.

Look for rust in the lower areas of the body and in the floor of the cabin and luggage area, though it’s certainly not a common occurrence. Vehicles badly repaired after a crash may suffer from rust.

HOW MUCH?

Budget on paying from $4000 to $7000 for a 1990 Toyota Tarago GLi; $7000 to $11,000 for a 1993 GLi; $8000 to $12,000 for a 1993 GLX; $11,000 to $16,000 for a 2000 GLi; $17,000 to $26,000 for a 2003 GLi; $21,000 to $30,000 for a 2004 GLX; $26,000 to $35,000 for a 2006 GLX; $30,000 to $41,000 for a 2006 Ultima; and $41,000 to $55,000 for a 2007 Ultima V6.

CAR BUYING TIP