Ask an expert
Hi, I am looking at wagons under $15000 and quite enjoyed a test drive of a Toyota Caldina GT-4. I was originally going to test drive a 1.8L Caldina, to avoid the D4 motor, but tried the GT-4 as a comparison. A bit of a difference! Does the fact the GT-4 is a 2L mean it is just a D4 motor with a turbo attached? Or a different motor altogether? Also, how has the reliability of the GT-4's been? Is buying a turbo asking for trouble in terms of mechanical issues?
Thanks! Any advice would be appreciated. The car I am looking at is a 2004 musk which has done approx 65000km's. Cheers!
The 2.0L engine on the standard Caldina is the direct injection version (1AZ-FSE engine) but the 2.0L GT (turbo models) uses a port injection engine (3S-GTE). The 3S-GTE can also be found on the MR2 and Celica GT-Four.
The GT requires high octane fuel and has a cambelt. Not aware of any reliability issues with the 3S-GTE on the Caldina.
A turbocharged engine and 4wd system will require more maintenance and if things do go wrong then it will cost a lot more. A standard 1.8L Caldina (FWD) non-4wd will be a better option unless you plan on using the vehicle for light off-road duties on a regular basis.
Another good vehicle to consider is the Mazda Atenza wagon (2.0L or 2.3L).
Hmm, I would've thought the 3S-GTE requires regular octane ?
I had my mechanic change the oil and spark plugs in my car a few months ago and noticed he had a "new" Caldina GT-4 in his driveway.
He told me it only uses regular (91) octane since the compression ratio is low (9:1) due to the engine having a turbocharger.
And whilst it only requires 91 octane , the car is quite the petrol guzzler, especially if you hit the turbo-spot frequently.
He only gets about 9KM/L .
Mind you, it's very reliable , he bought his one cheap as a weekend roadtrip car because it's done about 200,000 KMs .....still going! no turbo issues.
The information I have for this vehicle suggests it needs to run on the high octane fuel. It is not uncommon for turbocharged petrol engines to require the premium juice - for the best performance or prevention of detonation under boost.
I've owned my Gt4 caldina for the last eleven years and trust me strictly run it on high octane, tried 91 and it was sluggish, motor pinged and guzzled the gas and for traveling high octane is far better.