Rs Four S Vs. Caldina Gt-t

[horrace]

/\/\/\ hahaha lol! very very true

[stagman]

how does the auto go?

i REALLY like the look of the ST246 over the ST215, but the auto is a big turn off at the moment

i'm still trying to convince the wife we need a Stag and a Caldina!

Buy her a civic type R, there a hatchback and almost as big haha. Lots of fun too!

[pixel8r]

Guys, don't take this the wrong way, as I most certainly understand the appeal of the Stag (particularly the 260RS) but as a near life long Nissan man, Skyline owner for almost 12 years, and someone that was dead set keen on adding a Stag to the stable when the time came to get a family truckster... I just couldn't get over that simplistic box shape and front end that only a mother could love - the M35 truly is a shocker.

hmmm, maybe I'm being picky, but the appeal of the stag goes a long way beyond the performance and looks. Despite this, the performance of the M35 isn't too bad - certainly on par or better than most of the wagons you listed as options.

As for looks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The looks of the stag do grow on you. In any case, your argument falls apart when you suggest the caldina. If you're gonna complain about looks, why pick that one?

The options out there on offer are quite good for sports orientated wagons, Liberty GT, Forester GT/XT, WRX wagon, Legnum, RVR, Caldina and more. In the end I found the mix of decent performance, interior, reliability and ease of servicing (if you do your research and find one that has been looked after - even the most reliable car can be a POS if it has been serviced by a monkey) fuel economy, insurance costs, and rarity, meant the ST246 Caldina GT-Four N Edition was the one for ME. Note that I said GT-Four 'N' Edition. The N gets front and rear torsen LSDs, full Recaro interior, upgraded suspension, and a number of other upgrades over the non N Edition. The biggest downside from a pure performance perspective is the ST246 was only released with a 4sp automatic, but for my needs, I preferred an auto anyway. If I want to go faster and do my own gear shifting, I'll take the '33.

The whole reason for owning a wagon is more usable space. If you didn't need the extra boot space, there are many sedans that make more sense. Out of the list you've mentioned, only the Forester and Legnum (and maybe the liberty) would offer equivalent boot space along with the overall features.

Above all, a wagon needs to be practical. Practical means different things to different people, but I think the common aspects, are boot space, comfort (incl rear leg room), reliability, ride quality, versatility, and adequate performance.

Your choice seems to be geared very much towards performance. This is fair enough, if you want a sports car but just need a little extra space to cart objects around in. But for a family wagon, I would suggest that the stagea is the only one in that list that can tick all the boxes. Maybe the Forrester? I dont know much about them.

I can see the sportswagon appeal in things like the WRX wagon and caldina, but just cant see the wife and kid really loving the sports suspension package. That and the boot space isn't that much more than a good sedan...making the whole point of owning a wagon kinda moot.

[iamhe77]

hmmm, maybe I'm being picky, but the appeal of the stag goes a long way beyond the performance and looks. Despite this, the performance of the M35 isn't too bad - certainly on par or better than most of the wagons you listed as options.

As for looks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The looks of the stag do grow on you. In any case, your argument falls apart when you suggest the caldina. If you're gonna complain about looks, why pick that one?

Since he is talking about the latter series of Caldina, I strongly disagree.

I think that the latter Caldina looks much nicer than a stock RS M35 from the front and possibly the side profile as well. The rear I do not like and much prefer the "volvo" rear end of the M35 (especially lowered with a larger exhaust )

But as you said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and any argument about appearance is an endless one.

Having said that, if there is something on your car that you don't like.... change it.

[Stooge007]

regardless, a Stag or Caldina is a much better choice than a Falcodore!!!

[nickcorr]

Having said that, if there is something on your car that you don't like.... change it.

Be hard pushed to actually turn the 3rd Generation into a proper wagon, rather than the gloried Hatchback that it is.. it was also priced brand new, 500,000 JPY cheaper than the stagea and it's the same size as an Impreza...

[pixel8r]

Since he is talking about the latter series of Caldina, I strongly disagree.

I think that the latter Caldina looks much nicer than a stock RS M35 from the front and possibly the side profile as well. The rear I do not like and much prefer the "volvo" rear end of the M35 (especially lowered with a larger exhaust )

ah yes, just looked it up and I agree with you. I've only seen the older version driving around here and they just look a bit odd. Not that the stagea doesn't of course...

[Jetwreck]

Come on guy's....the Caldina is an overgrown rice bubble....typical Toyota plain boring looking shit....even the new one is not that great.....maybe for you hairstyles it is!!!.

Note to myself.....do not mention the Caldina to wife again

[whatsisname]

say's the man driving an R33

As a current M35 owner I can understand you taking offence at my comments, but in all honesty, I don't think you'd find many people that didn't already own one (and therefore be defending their choice) that would disagree with my comments. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking the car and it capabilities, I am merely stating it is not the most visually appealing of the options on the market... and it is arguably worst looking than a base model R33 Skyline.

I agree in part to your suggestion that the R33 isn't the most appealing shape out there, however, it is not a simple box shape, nor does it have a bland overall shape and terrible looking front grill. The factory R33 optional bodykit design is reasonable and gives the car more visual appeal than the Stagea.

As for the ST246 Caldina; I'll have to spend more time behind the wheel before I give a response, I've not driven the car more than a few kilometres so far. I will point out one minor thing, the Caldina boot is very accommodating, and with the ability to fold the entire rear section behind the front seats flat means outstanding load carrying capabilities. My version is the rarer N Edition, which means the interior and handling is not to be ignored - a full factory Recaro interior is not what I would call bland, nor is the cabin - mind you it isn't to everyone's taste either. Go and look at the N Edition and see for yourselves.

I also could not agree more with you, Pixel8r, the Stag shape does grow on you - in my case it was the older version. At first I though they looked like poo, but over time and with more exposure to them I started to come around, and if it weren't for them getting on a bit I would've been happy enough to get one.

End of the day, I like almost all of the import sport wagon offerings, it just so happens the ST246 GT-Four N appeals most to me for a price I was happy to pay.

[Jetwreck]

As a current M35 owner I can understand you taking offence at my comments, but in all honesty, I don't think you'd find many people that didn't already own one (and therefore be defending their choice) that would disagree with my comments. Don't get me wrong, I am not knocking the car and it capabilities, I am merely stating it is not the most visually appealing of the options on the market... and it is arguably worst looking than a base model R33 Skyline.

Don't worry....I agree....with you....I think the M35 standing still is....well.....fugly....when moving it does have a great road presence though....as does the a C34 with a nice set of rimsand good ride height.

I'm trying to stay as far away from a late model Caldina as I can(wont even show my wife pictures of it) as I know thats its a good car at a damn good price......REASON: my blood run's NISSAN(blinkers).

[Stagea_Neo]

Tomatoe/Tomato, each to their own.

I love the C34 and the M35, gimmie more money and I'd have both.

As for the Caldina, I'd have one of those also, my mate has one and i'd get one too if i didn't have a Stag.

They all better than what's to offer in OZ.

I.E. Aussie gets the Toyota Hilux, Japs get the fully featured Hilux Surf which sh___ over our hilux.

[whatsisname]

Yep, agree with you both. I wouldn't say no to owning almost any of the Japanese import turbo wagon options. They each have their good and bad points, and in most cases it's only a matter of time and money to rectify the bad ones.

Here it is. Not to everyone's tastes, but I like it:

[Stooge007]

if only they came in manual

[GoldZilla]

If I was to own a Caldina, it would definitely NOT be the model before - the ST246 looks much nicer in my opinion than the earlier version. But yeah, it would have to be manual.

[iamhe77]

Yep, agree with you both. I wouldn't say no to owning almost any of the Japanese import turbo wagon options. They each have their good and bad points, and in most cases it's only a matter of time and money to rectify the bad ones.

Here it is. Not to everyone's tastes, but I like it:

Front = WIN

Side = WIN

Rear - Hard FAIL

Interior = FAIL

Engine = WIN

[Stooge007]

If I was to own a Caldina, it would definitely NOT be the model before - the ST246 looks much nicer in my opinion than the earlier version. But yeah, it would have to be manual.

unfortunately (much like the S1 M35's) they only come in auto as far as i'm aware

Front = WIN

Side = WIN

Rear - Hard FAIL

Interior = FAIL

Engine = WIN

this pretty much sums it up

[dirtyRS4]

unfortunately (much like the S1 M35's) they only come in auto as far as i'm aware

this pretty much sums it up

I drove a manual ST215 the other day from a yard and gave it a good spanking. I was not that impressed, just a heavier celica GT4.

I am pretty sure the 3rd gen only comes in a tip tronic, so heaps better than auto lol. I'll take the recaro's they'll blend nicely with my shitty S1 interior, you can keep the rest.

Edited March 8, 2010 by dirtyRS4

[whatsisname]

I drove a manual ST215 the other day from a yard and gave it a good spanking. I was not that impressed, just a heavier celica GT4.

I am pretty sure the 3rd gen only comes in a tip tronic, so heaps better than auto lol. I'll take the recaro's they'll blend nicely with my shitty S1 interior, you can keep the rest.

I drove a few different Stag's, a couple of ST215's, and then the 246... the VSC system and N Edition suspension gives it a clear advantage over the rest. Outright acceleration was much of a muchness between the lot, but through the twisty stuff the 246 N was a clear winner.

[Stooge007]

tiptronic is still pretty much auto in my books

will have to get around to driving an ST246, and hopefully an N

[GreenMedina]

RS Four S Vs. Caldina GT Vs. Legnum VR4

Pro's & Con's of owning a Legnum:

Handles like a mo fo with AWD matched with Active Yaw Control - really doesn't feel like you driving a Wagon at all sweeping through the twisties

Engine is a 6A13TT - 2.5ltr Twin Turbo V6 - (191kw Series 1 Auto's, 206kw Series 2)

Power delivery is pretty freaking sweet, smooth but strong, pulls off the line hard even in stock form - Mitsubishi claim 0-100 in 6.6 secs stock (mine's a little quicker now :-)

Tip-tronic Auto kicks ass even for those who aren't fond of em - holds gears super dupa freaky well, Manuals even more kick ass fun

Well I done my full major 100k service, including parts & labour - cost me approx $1600 which I thought was pretty awsome (far better than Subi's $3500)

Sorry if this is a little off topic, but I feel the Leg is a direct competitor to the Stag & Hideous Caldina :-)