- 825
- Charlotte, NC
- CosmicMS3
- I2valve
2002 Toyota Caldina GT-Four
What I Look For
When I go about testing various cars in Gran Turismo 4 I usually look for a few things. I first look at how the car handles. Does it lean, have body roll? Does the car loose traction or have under/oversteer? Among other things as well, for example, the amount of power/torque and how much the car weighs. Also, tire wear is also a factor I look at while comparing the vehicles. Again, as I stated in my first recommendations, this is just one persons (mine) interpretation of various vehicles in GT4. Any comments are welcome and appreciated, even if they are negative or merely just helpful
First Looks
Now wait just a minute! Are you trying to tell me that this is a GT-Four without the Celica badges? Why YES and if you act right now The new car salesman falls to the ground due to your lack of patience and your fist. Those stupid car salesmen, they never know anything. Anyways, back to the Caldina. You notice that this is a change for the Toyots Motor Company in that they are offering a GT-Four model in something other than a Celica. But dont let its 5-door looks, bug-like headlamps, and Alfa Romeo-like rear end fool you; it has GT-Four performance written all over it.
Test Drive: Nurburgring: 835.292
After paying the 27100Cr needed to buy the Caldina, you pop open the hood to find a Turbocharged 2.0L Inline 4 with the horsepower reaching the 273 mark and the torque not too far behind with 250ft/lbs. The Caldina is also backed by a well-behaved 4WD system which sadly makes the car a hefty 1480kg. Not to be worried though, the Caldina isnt called the GT-Four for nothing. The handling is superb with only the slightest bit of understeer under hard cornering. However, this 4WD system pushes more power to the front wheels. This in turn increases the tire wear on the front more than the rear while racing.
While Toyota may have given the Caldina nice handling capabilities, there are many drawbacks to this new GT-Four. The brakes are nothing too fancy and the heavy weight of the car often requires you brake earlier than you would with other vehicles. I guess that is why the Caldina also feels as if it is lacking in the power department as well. The engine sometimes feels stressed on uphill sections, additional power/torque is definitely the cure. However, there is one major drawback to the Caldina, the lack of a 5th gear! Thats right; the gearbox is a 4-speed which leaves much to be wanted on tight courses. This leaves much to be desired while racing, especially when against lighter vehicles with more power.
Final Thoughts
Dispite its drawbacks that I have mentioned, this GT-Four fills the shoes of its earlier model quite well. As many of us know, the Celica GT-Four, while not as fast as the ever so popular Evolution and STI models, still faired well against similar competition. This new GT-Four is no exception. It can easily take on the 4WD Challenge and is actually very good on many of the Special Condition Races. To compete in the Turbo races, a new gearbox and other small modifications are a must if you are looking for a win.
Should this car be in GT4? Very much so. With the Celica loosing the GT-Four nameplate, the Caldina takes up where the Celica left off. While this car is not perfect when compared to others in its class, with a fairly cheaper buying price than its competitors, modifications should be on the list of things to purchase. It is an excellent drive for anyone wanting to experiment with a 4WD vehicle with moderate power. It is a car that can forgive the worst drivers with its handling and reward the best drivers with its acceptance of suitable modifications.
Note: I have not posted my set-ups for the Caldina as of yet but I will as soon as I can get the statistics from my save game. Also, I would honestly like to know how many people have actually driven this car and know the characteristics I am speaking of.
What I Look For
When I go about testing various cars in Gran Turismo 4 I usually look for a few things. I first look at how the car handles. Does it lean, have body roll? Does the car loose traction or have under/oversteer? Among other things as well, for example, the amount of power/torque and how much the car weighs. Also, tire wear is also a factor I look at while comparing the vehicles. Again, as I stated in my first recommendations, this is just one persons (mine) interpretation of various vehicles in GT4. Any comments are welcome and appreciated, even if they are negative or merely just helpful
First Looks
Now wait just a minute! Are you trying to tell me that this is a GT-Four without the Celica badges? Why YES and if you act right now The new car salesman falls to the ground due to your lack of patience and your fist. Those stupid car salesmen, they never know anything. Anyways, back to the Caldina. You notice that this is a change for the Toyots Motor Company in that they are offering a GT-Four model in something other than a Celica. But dont let its 5-door looks, bug-like headlamps, and Alfa Romeo-like rear end fool you; it has GT-Four performance written all over it.
Test Drive: Nurburgring: 835.292
After paying the 27100Cr needed to buy the Caldina, you pop open the hood to find a Turbocharged 2.0L Inline 4 with the horsepower reaching the 273 mark and the torque not too far behind with 250ft/lbs. The Caldina is also backed by a well-behaved 4WD system which sadly makes the car a hefty 1480kg. Not to be worried though, the Caldina isnt called the GT-Four for nothing. The handling is superb with only the slightest bit of understeer under hard cornering. However, this 4WD system pushes more power to the front wheels. This in turn increases the tire wear on the front more than the rear while racing.
While Toyota may have given the Caldina nice handling capabilities, there are many drawbacks to this new GT-Four. The brakes are nothing too fancy and the heavy weight of the car often requires you brake earlier than you would with other vehicles. I guess that is why the Caldina also feels as if it is lacking in the power department as well. The engine sometimes feels stressed on uphill sections, additional power/torque is definitely the cure. However, there is one major drawback to the Caldina, the lack of a 5th gear! Thats right; the gearbox is a 4-speed which leaves much to be wanted on tight courses. This leaves much to be desired while racing, especially when against lighter vehicles with more power.
Final Thoughts
Dispite its drawbacks that I have mentioned, this GT-Four fills the shoes of its earlier model quite well. As many of us know, the Celica GT-Four, while not as fast as the ever so popular Evolution and STI models, still faired well against similar competition. This new GT-Four is no exception. It can easily take on the 4WD Challenge and is actually very good on many of the Special Condition Races. To compete in the Turbo races, a new gearbox and other small modifications are a must if you are looking for a win.
Should this car be in GT4? Very much so. With the Celica loosing the GT-Four nameplate, the Caldina takes up where the Celica left off. While this car is not perfect when compared to others in its class, with a fairly cheaper buying price than its competitors, modifications should be on the list of things to purchase. It is an excellent drive for anyone wanting to experiment with a 4WD vehicle with moderate power. It is a car that can forgive the worst drivers with its handling and reward the best drivers with its acceptance of suitable modifications.
Note: I have not posted my set-ups for the Caldina as of yet but I will as soon as I can get the statistics from my save game. Also, I would honestly like to know how many people have actually driven this car and know the characteristics I am speaking of.
