Car buyers' guide: Looking for that oddball

A Toyota Sparky. Photo / Supplied

The dilemma:

Nina has a penchant for, well, odd-looking vehicles. She's had an S-Cargo, a Will and, back in the day, a Renault 4. "I was driving along the other day and found myself behind this amazing little van, called a Sparky, but I could see no manufacturer's name ... [I'd] love to know more."

Isn't that the wonderful thing about used imports; all these strange vehicles arriving on our shores? And of them all, the Sparky is one of the more obscure. It's a Toyota light van, also made as a passenger vehicle with five or seven seats. Actually, it's not quite a Toyota either, but a badged version of the Daihatsu Hijet van. Those found here have a 1290cc engine.

It's tricky to recommend alternatives, especially as one might be the S-Cargo, which Nina has already owned. So we've come up with a more traditional minivan and something a bit different from Daihatsu.

The budget: About $12,000

The shortlist

Daihatsu Materia
Sometimes known as a Coo as a used import, the Daihatsu Materia is a pint-sized MPV based on the Sirion platform.

It's closely related to the Toyota bB that was moderately popular as a used import, and to the Subaru Dex. New Zealand-new models have a 1.5-litre petrol engine, as do most imports, although a 1.3 was available in Japan.

The Materia is a useful vehicle, an attention-getter and has adequate support infrastructure.
From $14,000

Suzuki Super Carry
Okay, don't take this alternative too seriously. This is the wee one-litre van made from 1986 to 1993 that's gutless, has no safety features to speak of and those for sale nowadays are likely to be on their last legs.

But it's included because of a certain bizarre charm, because it can accommodate a useful load and, repairs aside, is cheap to run. Oh, and don't take that "last legs" comment too literally; there's one for sale right now, apparently in good nick, with 425,000km on the odo!
From $2000

Toyota Sparky

The apple of Nina's eye is the rarest of the trio - it hasn't even featured in Toyota's own Signature Range used-import lineup. That could mean that some parts could be a problem.

Most are automatic and seem to be passenger-configured, rather than vans. They're in the 1999-2001 range, so have a sprinkling of safety features.
From $12,000

Driven recommends

Driven's initial reaction was to steer clear of the Sparky, but it's a cute little vehicle that would make a great runabout; the more we looked into it, the more it charmed.

But head rules over heart at Buyers' Guide and we're giving the nod to the much better-established and peppier Materia, or bB. And if you like the Materia, maybe also look at the Kia Soul.

If the cuteness of the Suzuki appeals, why not download a photo of one and use it as a screensaver?