NissanStageaOwnersClub

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

Introducing...........

The Caldina GT Four N spec.

The caldina GT Four is the estate version of the Toyota GT Four. The first two versions were based on one of the saloon platforms.

In late 2002 Toyota introduced the series 3 which had a completely new chassis specific to the caldina.

The GT Four version has permanent four wheel drive and uses the same flat four turbo engine as the Toyota GT Four - the 2.0 L 3S-GTE I4 (ST 246)

The Spec N was a rare and much more sporty version . Main differences to the Caldina GT Four model were -

torsen LSDs
A completely upgraded suspension system
Sports ABS ( whatever that is )
Special N factory bodykit and alloy N wheels
factory strutbrace
Full recaro interior
it also had the more gadgets plus rear veiw camera.

This one appears to have stage one mods so should be quite interesting. They wigh under 1500kg and are 260bhp with 329nm of torque.
It arrives in mid february but untill then some pics.

_________________
stagea.co.uk

benrichards · Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2011 Posts: 755 Location: North East

Interesting. Have looked at the older ones but not seen these models before. Very nice.
_________________
The Debaucherer of Bakersfield

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

The series 3 caldina came out in december 2002 which was after the gt four celica stopped production.
It was never sold outside japan so is about as well known over here as the stagea was in 2006 .
The n is probably the autech equivelent and about as rare
Having joined the gt4 forums i am now sure it wll be the first one in the uk
_________________
stagea.co.uk

Big Mac · Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2014 9:44 am Post subject:

Much better looking than the previous shape!

Will be interesting to see it in the flesh Cool

_________________
1998 RS Four S

benrichards · Admin Joined: 06 Mar 2011 Posts: 755 Location: North East

You never fail to make me jealous with your new cars, Brian. I'm still lusting after your R32.

I assume you get stung for tax on anything post 2001, but as it's based on emissions, do they have the emissions data for them? How does that work?
_________________
The Debaucherer of Bakersfield

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

All imports ar subject to import duty and VAT which works out to roughly 32% of the japan purchase price together with th costs.
Yes you pay the 32% on the shipping costs as well !

If a car is 10 years old it just needs an mot and registration. If younger it needs vosa approval which is more expensive and can be a pain if the car wasnt ever sold in uk

Ths road tax is worked out exactly th same as if it was made in the uk lSo a 2000 car uses the rles as hey were in 2000 etc.
Im not sure how they get he emission figures or whether it is on ccs for imports outside he eu.

Im waiting for a dvla import pack which shold hav he aswers .
_________________
stagea.co.uk

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

got the pack today and I am one lucky bunny.

From 2001 road tax is done on co2 readings . The Caldina genuinly misses the highest bracket ( £400+ per year ) by a wisker . I think it starts at 285 qnd the caldina is 283

Very Happy

_________________
stagea.co.uk

Big Mac · Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:28 pm Post subject:

Jammy git

_________________
1998 RS Four S

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

after a delay at the docks (muppet clearance officals) i got to see the car in the flesh for the first time yesterday,

it is much better than I thought and everything seems spot on with no dents and good paint. I cant tell exactly how good as it was raining and it had two months of dirt on it

needs a full on wash , cut and polish which i hope to get done before the mot on tuesday

hopefully it can be registered and on the road in two weeks and i am definately keeping it,
_________________
stagea.co.uk

Big Mac · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 1:22 pm Post subject:

Good stuff - what's the interior space like, similar to the Stag?
_________________
1998 RS Four S

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

No the caldina is smaller more like 4 door prius size or a few inches smaller than a 3 series estate.

Without the seats down the space is enough for me but nowhere near a stagea

But that was the idea I dont want a big car for work and smaller means lighter to be exact 130 kg lighter than an RS Four s
_________________
stagea.co.uk

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

well the car passed the MOT no problem .

Found out a few things.

It actually has factory coilovers !!!, blitz stainless exhaust , blitz induction and BOV. Plus it has a boost gauge which suggests it isnt running standard boost.

cant check this untill the engine is warmed up and the car is registeredv so it can be driven on the road
_________________
stagea.co.uk

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

Well a year has passed and im still driving it and whats more liking it .....a lot.
In fact I am going to look for a later low mileage N spec in japan

Only other expense is a set of tyres which isnt the cars fault especially since i im doing about a tankful a week ( 280 miles) fortunately petrol has come down v power is about £1.15 at the moment
_________________
stagea.co.uk

GREANMACHINE · Site Admin Joined: 03 Mar 2011 Posts: 1259

Ive just imported another caldina GT Four n spec and it now appears mine isn't standard.

The new one is really nice but standard (for an N spec) It drives great but isn't as quick as mine .

Mine is noticeably faster (ut is definitely quicker than a stage 1 RS Four S ) and the handling is much more direct . Even though stock they have LSDs and special suspension it is becoming obvious I was very lucky with the first one which has Tein super street dampers.
_________________
stagea.co.uk