1998 ST215W Caldina GT-T
(JDM Only - Imported to Australia)
SOLD NOVEMBER 2009 (@ 71,600kms)
196RWKW @ 15psi on 100RON Premium Unleaded
Imported at 49,550 kms
Note to anyone thinking about buying a Caldina: These are very nice cars, have ample power to spare, awesome traction, are very comfortable and are very easy to work on but thats where the fun ends as ANY spare parts must be ordered from Toyota in Japan so you will be waiting for them and in just a few years time Toyota will no longer be making spare parts for this model!
Some aftermarket spares are available like heater cores and windscreens but are very expensive (try $900+AUD for a replacement windscreen fitted!). The front guards/body pannels I found out by chance (then from close inspection) are exactly the same as the Toyota Advensis (1997-2000 models).
All being said this was a nice vehicle to own and drive but at the end of the day I view it's initial purchase as a mistake due to inavailability of parts and 99% of mechanics I showed it to including the local Toyota dealership WERE TOO SCARED TO WORK ON IT AND REFUSED TO DO SO BECAUSE THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT IS WAS so any maintenance or repairs were done by me, luckily I knew this model and am quite familiar with all generations of 3SGTE engines.
Tokyo Toyota sticker from the dealership in the below photo....
(oval shaped sticker in bottom right hand corner on rear hatch/door)
AWD, 2ltr 3SGTE engine
Auto with Tiptronic (has buttons on the steering wheel for shift up & down)
ABS with dual airbags, VSC.
Complete factory installed TRD 3 inch exhaust and TRD dump pipe with high flow muffler. Also no front or rear catalytics - all were factory removed in Japan by previous owner at 1st factory service.
Aftermarket return bov is needed now as the stock bosch return bov is a bit weak to say the least also soon to install a water/methanol injection [i.e. aquamist] system to run more boost.
Factory spec fuel is 100RON (made 196rwkw on it), best I can get in this region is 98RON :-(
Interior:
More modification and pictures to come once I am finished modifying and am happy with the ST185 GT4 Celica (Check my garage!)
