Rs Four S Vs. Caldina Gt-t

[Stooge007]

i would like to have both a Stag and Caldina in the driveway

Mrs would probably disagree though!

well it took a couple of years, but now there is a C34 RS Four S and a ST215 Caldina GT-t (manual!!!) sitting in the driveway

they are my Yin and Yang (black + white, lol)

the stock 15" rims have been ditched in favour of some Rays Engineering United Arrows in 17", with Federal 595 rubber

they're both pretty much stock, save for some nice immobilisers

i'll add a quick summary i wrote up on another forum in a sec

EDIT - Caldina also uses a bit less fuel than the Stagea

Edited February 9, 2012 by Stooge007

[Stooge007]

as i posted on another forum

i like the Caldina better, but the wife prefers the Stagea

have had the Caldina about 2 weeks now

to me, they're quite different cars

the Stagea is more of a grand tourer, while the Caldina is more a sports wagon

the Stagea is a more "lazy" car in my opinion, has good get up and go from any gear at any speed

whereas the Caldina you can easily be caught in the wrong gear at the wrong time. imo, you really need to keep the revs up in the Caldina for it to drive nicely, whereas the Stagea will pull relatively well from lower revs

really depends on what you're after

the Stagea boot easily swallows 2 x porta cots + 3 x suitcases + golf clubs + more, whereas the Caldina boot is a lot smaller

imo, the Stagea is a far easier/lazier drive, while still getting up and moving if you want it to

the Caldina is more peaky, having to keep it at or above around 3k rpm to keep it happy (e.g. the Stagea will happily potter around in 5th at 60km/h whereas the Caldina struggles at 60km/h in 5th)

quite different cars really, imo

in terms of straight line speed, the Caldina is quicker (bit lighter), but the Stagea is a much better highway car, it just eats it up

[slippylotion]

C34 auto is a 4 speed not 5. The M35 has a 5 speed.

How different is the fuel consumption for both on highway and around the city?

[ironpaw]

If I was to get a Caldina I'd only ever touch the ST246...GT4...

Seen a few in the flesh and they look ok....

Edited February 9, 2012 by ironpaw

[ras1983]

The problem with Legnums is the price and availability of parts. there aren't enough of them around in Australia so some of the smaller/lesser-known parts can be impossible to come by unless you get them from overseas. Also, parts can be expensive because theren't that many Legnums in Aus.

The other problem is resale. At least Stageas have a second hand market. Legnums are VERY difficult to sell because not that many people know about them. That can be very frustrating when the time comes to sell the car.

IMO Legnums would make great second cars, but I would never again have one as my only or main car.

Back on topic, Caldinas look awful. I'd take a Stagea over a Caldina if only for looks alone (which says a lot because I also think Stageas are ugly, lol).

Though a M35 would be nice...

Edited February 9, 2012 by ras1983

[Stooge007]

C34 auto is a 4 speed not 5. The M35 has a 5 speed.

How different is the fuel consumption for both on highway and around the city?

in my experience (so far):

Stagea (city) ~ 14-15L/100km

Stagea (hwy) ~ 11-12L/100km

Caldina (city) ~ 12-13L/100km

Caldina (hwy) ~ 9-10L/100km

If I was to get a Caldina I'd only ever touch the ST246...GT4...

Seen a few in the flesh and they look ok....

yeah the ST246 are nice looking cars

don't think i could live with the auto (although haven't driven one yet, lol)

The problem with Legnums is the price and availability of parts. there aren't enough of them around in Australia so some of the smaller/lesser-known parts can be impossible to come by unless you get them from overseas. Also, parts can be expensive because theren't that many Legnums in Aus.

The other problem is resale. At least Stageas have a second hand market. Legnums are VERY difficult to sell because not that many people know about them. That can be very frustrating when the time comes to sell the car.

IMO Legnums would make great second cars, but I would never again have one as my only or main car.

Back on topic, Caldinas look awful. I'd take a Stagea over a Caldina if only for looks alone (which says a lot because I also think Stageas are ugly, lol).

Though a M35 would be nice...

the ONLY problem is that the M35 and ST246 don't come in factory manual!!!

[iamhe77]

well it took a couple of years, but now there is a C34 RS Four S and a ST215 Caldina GT-t (manual!!!) sitting in the driveway

they are my Yin and Yang (black + white, lol)

the stock 15" rims have been ditched in favour of some Rays Engineering United Arrows in 17", with Federal 595 rubber

they're both pretty much stock, save for some nice immobilisers

i'll add a quick summary i wrote up on another forum in a sec

EDIT - Caldina also uses a bit less fuel than the Stagea

Nice

If my plans had gone the way they should have, I would have had with a PNM35 and a ST246 sharing our garage.

Turns out that the wife is a Mitsi girl. Oh well.

[nickcorr]

Nice

If my plans had gone the way they should have, I would have had with a PNM35 and a ST246 sharing our garage.

Turns out that the wife is a Mitsi girl. Oh well.

Too scared to get a VR4

Just keep it as a cheapy...

[iamhe77]

She didn't want to go with a car that old.

[nickcorr]

She didn't want to go with a car that old.

To be honest....

That is one of the main reasons I have an M35...

[Bodella]

say's the man driving an R33

Bahahaha, thanks i needed a laugh after a shit week.

++ to everything stated re to small ugly etc

For me I wanted a rb engine/manual+ needed family car = stag.

I still smile everytime i start it up in morning.

#fanboythread

[rb26stagea]

I had a legnum a couple of years ago: nice little car: handled beautifully, build quality was excellent, and it was a very enjoyable drive. My wife still wants another one (but I suspect its because she liked the purple!). when she got pregnant, I bought a ST246 Caldina GT Four. Build quality is excellent, fuel consumption is decent, but not great, and the little bugger goes like scalded cat once its moving, however is frustratingly laggy from 0kph to around 40kph. I guess it's a combination of 4 cylinder, 4sp and relatively hefty weight, but it is VERY doughy off the mark.

A decent exhaust would help (factory unit is pretty restictive), but given that it's the "baby car" she wants to keep it stock and quiet...

Oh, and the factory sound system is excellent.

Still, I'm more than happy to have my stag!

[Stooge007]

I had a legnum a couple of years ago: nice little car: handled beautifully, build quality was excellent, and it was a very enjoyable drive. My wife still wants another one (but I suspect its because she liked the purple!). when she got pregnant, I bought a ST246 Caldina GT Four. Build quality is excellent, fuel consumption is decent, but not great, and the little bugger goes like scalded cat once its moving, however is frustratingly laggy from 0kph to around 40kph. I guess it's a combination of 4 cylinder, 4sp and relatively hefty weight, but it is VERY doughy off the mark.

A decent exhaust would help (factory unit is pretty restictive), but given that it's the "baby car" she wants to keep it stock and quiet...

Oh, and the factory sound system is excellent.

Still, I'm more than happy to have my stag!

i'd have to agree with the laginess of the Caldina at < 40km/h and < 3k rpm

keep it on boost though, and it's a bit of fun (but drinks like a fish!)

i like the versatility of having both a manual Stag and manual Caldina though

[Jezboosted]

Has no one thought of the Toyota Blit ? i'm not sure if it can be imported LOL but whats not fun about a 1jzgte 4wd wagon ?

Also what do people mean by handles like a wagon ? Maybe a stocker with boat springs. Coilovers / adjustable links - handles really well.

Have made one motorbike rider on an RGV250 nervous on the way up mt tambo (from oxenford). He sat on my tail for a bit doing the whole left/right swerving (must warm up my tires for the big race). As always when a biker comes up from behind, i always stay as left as i can and give them plenty of room to overtake safe. He overtakes me and then looks back and signals me with his hands "c'mon" or "follow me". ok so i'm a sucker for peer pressure and chased him for a bit. His bike sounded good too. I don't mind smelling 2 stroke fumes at high revs I stuck on him through corners as he was hopping around on the limit. On straights he was pulling away like a rocket. And No, he wasn't the postman. Wagon ..... pfffft doesn't feel like it

[Stooge007]

Has no one thought of the Toyota Blit ? i'm not sure if it can be imported LOL but whats not fun about a 1jzgte 4wd wagon ?

Also what do people mean by handles like a wagon ? Maybe a stocker with boat springs. Coilovers / adjustable links - handles really well.

Have made one motorbike rider on an RGV250 nervous on the way up mt tambo (from oxenford). He sat on my tail for a bit doing the whole left/right swerving (must warm up my tires for the big race). As always when a biker comes up from behind, i always stay as left as i can and give them plenty of room to overtake safe. He overtakes me and then looks back and signals me with his hands "c'mon" or "follow me". ok so i'm a sucker for peer pressure and chased him for a bit. His bike sounded good too. I don't mind smelling 2 stroke fumes at high revs I stuck on him through corners as he was hopping around on the limit. On straights he was pulling away like a rocket. And No, he wasn't the postman. Wagon ..... pfffft doesn't feel like it

yeah, i don't think you can import a Blit (except as a personal import i guess)

i took the Caldina for a squirt through the National Park today, with another Caldina, a VL Calais turbo and an SR20 powered Datsun. was pretty fun

[nickcorr]

Any Caldinia owners look a the concept of a Corolla Blade?

Corolla with 3.5 V6... That would be fun...

Edited February 12, 2012 by nickcorr

[533 RYC]

beauty is in the eye of the beerholder

and compared to my stock RS Four S, and also given the fact that the stock Caldina does not deliver peak torque until 4400rpm, my mates Caldina is surprisingly linear in terms of power delivery

i think weight is giving us the biggest disadvantage

i'm neither pro or against Nissan or Toyota, i'm pro performance

the Stag suits my needs better at this point in time, due to the bigger boot

i wouldn't say no to a Caldina sitting beside it in the driveway though

Agreed Stooge on all points especially the last two. Boot space is a premium when you throw two kids under two into the mix! As a previous RB owner, C34 RS Four S was the only option. For the money, Bomb-a-dores & Fal-coons were out of the question due to high km's & general options you don't get that come with an S. When you look at how much an optioned C34 S was brand new (around the $70 - 80K mark), Why would you buy local? My wife loved the Caldina, but settled for a Cube as an around town car!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stooge007]

Agreed Stooge on all points especially the last two. Boot space is a premium when you throw two kids under two into the mix! As a previous RB owner, C34 RS Four S was the only option. For the money, Bomb-a-dores & Fal-coons were out of the question due to high km's & general options you don't get that come with an S. When you look at how much an optioned C34 S was brand new (around the $70 - 80K mark), Why would you buy local? My wife loved the Caldina, but settled for a Cube as an around town car!!!!!!!!!!!!

yeah i have 2 young kids (2 and 5 months) so the Stagea is our "holiday" car, as it fits everything with ease

i do find the Caldina a lot more fun to drive hard though

pretty happy with both a Stag and Caldina actually

[ant0ny]

It's funny how people rate cars and I am no one to talk about liking odd cars. In my driveway today I have Opel Kadett GSi WRC replica rally car, Vauxhall Cavalier SRi and the Stagea 25tXfour and I have owned plenty of interesting cars over the last 30odd years.

The Stagea stands out as one of the best alround cars I have owned but if I think back at what car has had the most amount of praise, looks and quastiones asked about out on the road and in servo's there are only 2.

Datsun 1600 rally car (which was also my daily driver) and the Stagea... I have had more conversations with ramdom people in those 2 cars. That to me says alot about what people who look at cars think and when they go out of their way to look at the car in a car park or servo and praise it... to me that says alot.

Sorry couldn't resist putting a pic of the dato up.

[anton_willows]

I had the Caldina vs. Stagea vs. Legnum decision months and months ago.. I drove the ST215, the C34, and the EC5W just to get a feel of how I really liked them all..

My personal opinion..
Looks (IMO): EC5W > C34 > ST215
Standard(ish) performance: EC5W > ST215 > C34
Running costs: How would I know I only test drove them lol..

Caldina - Looks didnt reallly do it for me and I didnt feel comfortable with the interior of the ST215, felt a little to small for my liking. That being say it did drive quite well (as mention'd above 3k rpm) also being lighter helped make it quite sporty

Stagea - I loved the aftermarket avalibility of the RB25 series engine's, performance was pretty good but the other's definately feel more sporty, due to the Stag's size, and personally looks were average.. Once you start adding modifications it transforms the whols car.

Legnum - I like the look of this car the best, and the performance was simply amazing from the responsive twin TD03's couple that with the AWD AYC system and it bends the laws of physics when handling, These have always had a reputation of being hard to work on and hard to find parts for.

In the end I keep all my options open and decided on purchasing the best car at the time regardless of make/model..

Needless to say I found a Legnum EC5W VR4 with ASC, TC, AYC, leather interior, sunroof, aftermarket rims, exhaust, for the right price with only 68xxx klms.. so I snapped it up.

It should be noted that I do 90% of the work on my own car as I dont trust many people to muck around with it, as far as parts go I've never had any trouble sourcing any part (i.e. filters/fluids/etc) thus far.. with the Internet and search you can find anything!

I find it really not that hard to work on either, yes certian jobs can be a pain and time consuming (i.e. AYC fluid change, bleed and refill).

I run her at 1.0bar (14.5psi) via Mine's tuned ECU and she doesnt miss a beat, I personally have never had any major mechanical drama's even with the 5 speed tip tronic (INVECS-II porsche engineered) gearbox just slapped on a transmission cooler myself and I change fluid at regular service intervals, no problems!

I understand this is a highly personal choice and we all enjoy different things and have different goals.. but that's my story and my $0.02..

**edit - oh and I only paid $6200 for the car on purchase, yeah he wanted $8500 lol

Edited March 2, 2013 by anton_willows