We owned a Toyota Tarago for about 4 years. I don’t have multiple children. We had been on holiday to Canada and the in-laws met us – so I hired a Dodge caravan to get us all in. Well it drove like a car and had sliding doors. And that was me sold. Sliding doors and children are like lamb and mint – a made combination.
That and I ride, as does my wife, we have two dogs. Occasionally as ex pats, people come to stay so we could get them all in one vehicle. I got it second hand and got the V6 gas guzzler because I couldn’t countenance a 4 speed automatic ‘box that came with the smaller engine. That was a good choice for driveability if not for fuel consumption.
And what a car it turned out to be. Enormous boot with the third row down. The version I got had a decent boot space even with them up. The middle row were two captain’s chairs that could be used in “limo mode” when adults were in the car. They also reclined with foot rests which on long journeys was a boon for the kids.
I could get a mountain bike between the middle row without taking the front wheel off (although I usually did) and even managed three in the back on one occasion.
Need to get a new washing machine – easy, throw it in the back.
Car park dings on other peoples cars? Not a worry.
Long journeys with five of the guys and their gear – easy peasy.
So why did we sell it? 245000 km’s and a continued guilt about the CO2 coming out of the exhaust. If they built and sold a hybrid version in Australia I would have been down the showroom with cash in hand (well finance in hand).
I’m not into four wheel driving so I don’t get the need for over two tonnes of SUV hardware that I’ll never use that drives like a boat and has terrible economy due to it’s mass.
Interestingly one of my other favourite cars isn’t sold in Australia – the Honda FRV. A six seater that I had in the UK – again enormously versatile with a brilliant Diesel engine that did what it should. Not that I’ll ever buy diesel again but as an avowed petrol head I’m a little confused that two of my favourite cars have been family wagons. Must be middle age…