Adventra Questions... Off road usage etc.

[R8tourer]

Hi Guys,

I am looking at selling my VY Berlina LS1 Wagon at the moment and upgrading to an Adventra LX8 (upgrading for me or downgrade to some) to be more suitable to the road conditions I drive on every day.

I moved out to the country and the roads are crap, massive pot holes and constantly bumpy/shakey not very enjoyable in the Berlina. My house is also located off road for a few kms on a farm and I have to drive about 5 kms/h just so I don't do any damage to the VY and increase wear/maint costs etc.

I’d also like to be able to drive it off road when I am going camping with my mates with the motorbikes being towed behind me. Currently I prefer not to do this as I believe it would just get the Berlina trashed and it’s a great car which I’d like to let it remain in great condition!


Anyway, my questions are for the owners of these AWD beasts…

- Are they smoother off road? Absorbing the bumps and rougher roads much better than your standard commodore?

- Are they quieter inside, in terms of less rattles on the trim and that damn tail gate? I read in a review that they eliminated these problems as experienced on the normal vz wagons and all models before…

- What sort of economy figures did you experience stock and with a tune? Even though I have a pretty good idea on this from my research on here.

Look forward to hearing your answers.

Matt

[GJ227]

Matt,

i have just picked one for the missus, and so far so good, i think if its a wagon, you will get some rattles etc, the VYII LX8 we just got has 82000k's on it and drives very smooth, you do notice that it takes pot holes and even speed humps quite smoother and softer, so suspect when i do get a chance to get it off road it should be fine, th fuel economy is not as good as a std LS1, i had a VYII SS ute years ago and this seems to get about 50kmh less than every did, i guess driving 2 tonnes of car does mean it drinks a bit more, but even still not too bad, i will be doing exhaust cold air intake and dyno tune, just so we can get better fuel mileage, but apart from that its a great car, test drive one and see what you think

Gj227

[macca33]

Apart from a little extra ground clearance and the all wheel drive system, they are no closer to being an 'off-roader' than any normal Commodore.

Cheers,

Macca

[R8tourer]

Matt,

i have just picked one for the missus, and so far so good, i think if its a wagon, you will get some rattles etc, the VYII LX8 we just got has 82000k's on it and drives very smooth, you do notice that it takes pot holes and even speed humps quite smoother and softer, so suspect when i do get a chance to get it off road it should be fine, th fuel economy is not as good as a std LS1, i had a VYII SS ute years ago and this seems to get about 50kmh less than every did, i guess driving 2 tonnes of car does mean it drinks a bit more, but even still not too bad, i will be doing exhaust cold air intake and dyno tune, just so we can get better fuel mileage, but apart from that its a great car, test drive one and see what you think

Gj227
Good to hear, yeah higher fuel consumption is expected. I guess with the longer cabin it will always have a few sounds compared to a sedan.


Apart from a little extra ground clearance and the all wheel drive system, they are no closer to being an 'off-roader' than any normal Commodore.

Cheers,

Macca

Macca, do you own one though or driven one for a bit? Not being rude, I just know you have senator and interested to know how your oppinion was formed...

Matt

[Avalanche]

Handles dirt roads great, even while towing the quad. Bumpier roads a smoothed out the faster you go. My avalanche has been off the beaten track a bit, & it is up to a fair bit of punishment. macca , you would be surprised how much of an advantage the extra ground clearance is. It is actually the same as my 98 4wd triton was. i have averaged around 14l/100 over the complete life of the avalanche, which has just ticked over 120,000km. A tune would improve the power & ecconomy of the addy.Coupled with an exhaust, you should see similar if not better power figures than an avalanche.

[macca33]

I've driven Adventras plenty of times - over long periods, so base my opinion on that fact. Do they do the same job as well as a Tojo or Patrol - no way known.

Cheers.

[macca_779]

I've driven Adventras plenty of times - over long periods, so base my opinion on that fact. Do they do the same job as well as a Tojo or Patrol - no way known.

Cheers.

Of course they don't but don't right off the softroaders just yet. I've done some pretty serious offroading in proper 4WD's and will admit that you need a LC or Patrol for that kind of work for the locked diffs, big tyres and lots of clearance. But earlier this year I took my Subi Outback to the Roper Bar (Google it) for a work trip. For that kind of driving which is pretty much a mix of really hard rutty terain that goes into sand as you approach the rivers but can get quite articulate in areas and it held up beautifully. 200mm of clearance was enough.. Just. But the way you throw a car like a subi around on those soft roads blows the bigger cars out of the water with its pace. The guys in their Prado's, LC, Pajaro's and what not couldn't believe how well my Subi went. I ended up leading the pace because the Prado was boring me with crabbing over everything at 2km/h. My Point is for the most part people don't need full size 4WD's. Cars like Subi Outbacks and Adventura's go lots of places if you know how to handle them and put them in the right places.

YouTube - Subaru Outback on the hill (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyfKVHZgKXc)

Not all AWD systems are made equal though.

YouTube - Subaru Legacy Outback vs Volvo V70 Cross Country (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyLgYskj-oc)

[R8tourer]

Thanks for post, I won't be doing anything crazy like that though :p Only as stated in the first post. Just fire roads in the state forests out here which can be a bit erroted sometimes :) but that will only be maybe every few weeks at the most. Its mainly a comfortable ride I am seeking with these "normal" road conditions, I experience out here, I do about 1000kms a week and its all highway/country driving.

Matt

[HSV Listy]

Holden sell as a option 16 inch Heavy Duty steelies so grab some of these and some decent semi off road rubber and it will do fine. Get some high profile rubber to help absorb the bumps and add a couple of inchs ground clearance. They do fine with general dirt road and tracks, just dont expect 4x4 hi lux stuff.
Sand they do very well in but mud not so. Suspension is excellent off road just dont do big jumps or the strut towers might not like it unless you reinforce them. Some people have just for the sake of it but they do fairly heavy duty driving.

[Swordie]

I tested a CX8 when it was first released at the Werribee 4WD Training Centre on invitation from Holden.

I didn’t think it felt very powerful for an eight. It seemed similar to my Ecotec 2WD in power.

The car was put through its paces under an instructor’s guidance. It seemed it could do most of what a true 4WD can do. Cross creeks, climb steep dirt hills ECT. I would assume they are not as tough as a Patrol.

I also tested the car at 100km on a dirt road, driving it with confidence as the car hung on around corners. It felt much more secure than my 2WD would under the same circumstances.

[R8tourer]

It seems like a few of you manage to test drive them for longer than just an hour? Obviously not your average dealership test drives.... how does this work? It'd be great to just drive it up to my house and back at least :p

That would have been a good experience at the 4wd training centre Swordie, thanks for the info.

[ti0350]

The Wife and I got to test drive them at the 4wd track at Oran Park as Holdens guests and were that impressed we would have bought one instead of our VYSS if we could have afforded one.. But unfortunately they were going for quite a few more grand then our SS was..
Was really impressed with how it handled the 4wd track it actually surprised me with some of the stuff we did, still once the SS is paid off we will be looking for a 2nd car so it will either be a Adventra or Rodeo..

[muvro]

Having put 35,000kms on my Avvy, I've found it to be an absoltely Awesome car!

I've taken it on all sorts of different driving conditions and it has not let me down one bit!!!

I bought the car when my Father in law passed on. I wanted my wife to be safe when she was doing alot of driving back and forth to her family's farm. It has about an hour of dirt rd each way. Of which, is poorly maintained.

The reasons for buying it were;

- I've always wanted one ever since I first saw the sneak pics of it in Motor mag. I've still got the magazine. LOL

- AWD. Big plus on dirt roads.

- Weight, I feel a slightly heavier car is always a bit better in torrential rain (more weight on the contact patch means better water dispertion. Given tyres are in good condition)

- Room. We had to consider this as we are considering starting a family.

Also, I can fit 2400x1200 wood sheets in the back. Although it means I have to cramp up with the seats pushed all the way forward... LOL But they fit. hahha I think there's 2m between the tailgate and the front seats in a normal position. And it's just a smidge over 1200mm wide.

The AWD factor;

Man, I didn't realise how bloody good AWD was until I bought my Avvy. The slick mud and torrential rain handling is just phenominal!!! I run Pirelli Scorpion tyres and it can be pissing down so hard and heavy that you can't see 5m in front of you but the car feels so secure and stuck to the road unlike anything else I've ever driven. It felt better in those conditions than myold mans Range rover.

I've taken the Avvy paddock driving when I go for a shoot or something. Going up embankments that are real wet and slippery as hell (Hilux or cruiser won't go up in 2WD) it just effortlessly drives up. No sliding or drifting. It just goes up the hill like it was tar. It really impressed me the first time I did it. Since i've been testing it's limits as far as non serious rock hopping style or major obstical style 4WDing goes but just paddock style driving in mud and dirt it comes out the other side with flying colours!!! I don't even hesitate doing anything in it so long as I can see the ground clearance is alright. That's it's major achillies heel. I think it actually has slightly more ground clearance than a territory.

The handling on outback dirt roads is also eaqually as impressive. I have to say though that major pot hole absorbtion doesn't beat the Range Rover.

It still bucks a bit oin big sharp holes. But it has to be a bad one. Something you'd try and avoid at all costs in a 2WD wagon.




The weight factor;

This is an advantage and a disadvantage. The only disadvantage I find with it's weight is the fuel economy. It's never going to be as good as a 2WD wagon. However, with learned careful driving, I can get 13L/100km on the highway (stock tune) and anywhere between high 15's to high 17's on the street. It's a bit of an art to getting the fuel economy right. If you just let it roll with the hills without flooring it. You'll be rewarded with good economy.

The advantage to the weight is the amazing stability the car has on dirt and in the wet. Very impressive.




The body and trim;

I don't have any rattles or trim noises what so ever. Supposedly the splash trays are alot thicker to absorb gravel and dirt road noise. Also the cabin is treated to extra sound deadening and absorbtion material to insulate the cabin from noise more. By comaprison a 2WD sedan VY2 is noisy as hell on the same road. So there must be something to the extra deadening.

The rear tailgate glass opens with the boot button on the key fob. It's very handy!

When you look under the Adventra, you can see straight away that the car has been built for aussie dirt roads.

No pressed steel control arms, no radius rods. Just a cast complete 'A' arm wishbone. I've heard these bushes are prone to collapsing. However, mine are sweet as. The front crossmember looks crude in aesthetics, but it's clear it's built tuff! Extra thick pplating and reinforcing. It really must stiffen the front end up alot.

The rear end is pretty much Wagon spec bar the raising of the body off the front suspension pivot points. There are a large spacer in there , obviously to not bugger with the rear end geometry too much.



The only thing I want to do to mine is make it safe to cross creeks in up to about 1m or so. I am very worried about the ECU being in the engine bay and the relay box also being in the bay. I plan to do something with these so that they are water proofed. The ECU will be moved into the cabin. I'll also put a low profile snorkel from the plastic in under rearward edge of the bonnet and up the A pillar. I also fitted some spotties to it. I made a stainless roof rack for it just behind the sun roof. And I mounted two 175mm Narva spot lenses up there. Makes night driving a sinch! It really relieves the eyes.

Hoep that helps.

Tark :)

[HSV Listy]

Good feedback right there. If you are doing that sort of bashing get the large alloy undertray that they came with a option. It was not cheap at around $800 but they are huge and cover allot of the prone axles areas and oil sump.

I have not head of anyone going 1m deep through water in one. Might need to really check you have a good bow wave going. Also look at full air bag suspention to lift it higher as required.

[R8tourer]

Thanks for the detailed info there muvro!! That is the best first hand information I have read on the Adventra so far... I'm sure it will come in handy for other people in the future that are looking to buy an AWD holden/HSV, because...
I am actually going to be moving back near Sydney again so I won't need one of these AWD beasts and I don't feel it would be appropriate to buy one if I am going to be working in Sydney and already have a nice slick wagon for the road!

I was looking forward to owning one though and using it for what it was made for...

I was actually going to buy the Avalanche as it was only a little bit more in price and you get a few nice extras.

Thanks for everyones help :)

[White Rider]

I havent driven the adventra at length but ive offroaded in many different 4wd's in the past. With careful wheel placement its amazing how far just a standard 2wd sedan will go.

In my experience, u'll get by 95% of the time and there will be one section of track that will require a real offroad vehicle. I spose the roughest thing youll encounter is camping, so if thats not too hardcore itll be ok.

Rubber is VERY important! :bow: I got a nissan patrol stuck on the side of a muddy sports oval once (unloading gear) because it was the standard semi all terrain rubber. If u see slippery surfaces a lot, BF goodrich now have small all terrain tyre sizes.
I did an experiment with a friend, hill starting on a grassy paddock in 2wd, I had standard rubber, he had all terrain style- I was spinning my wheels, drifting backward and he could take off with no problems- he couldnt even get it loose traction!

If u get all terrain tyres SLIGHTLY oversize youll see better grip, increased clearence, less punctures and a more comfortable ride. But beware, offroad tyres dont handle as well on wet sealed roads.

The only other disadvantage for adventras is lack of low range, but the torquy v8 should make up for it in most situations.

[warlobo]

My opionion the Adventra is ideal for your use... I'm on my 2nd and wouldn't look back after 10yrs of GXL cruisers before them. How often do you use low range in a 4WD? Virtually never I found, so with some exceptions for ground clearence the Ad will take you everywhere you need to go. Dirt and bumpy roads are a breeze compared to stock comm, even country roads at high speeds are where the extra ground clearence comes into its own.. more room in drivers seat than Landcruiser, and tailgate width the same too.

Fuel wise standard they are so restricted it is poor at best, I've been in 18's and above feeling a lack of power, intake, tune, and exhaust will get you close to 300fwkw (give or take) (up from 220) and get your fuel econ down to 10-12/100 depending on where and how you drive, whilst giving you the torque you need for hwy cruising without kicking down or towing.. in the above format with the cruise @ 120 I got over 600km a tank heavily loaded frequently..

AWD is not 4WD so serious off roading, no, however sand, loose gravel, unsealed roads, and off roading with reasonable ground clearence they are excellent! You will appreciate the traction even on wet roads over the stock wagon...

They are too heavy for a 6 IMO, although each will have they're own opinion there...

You will also notice the extra wheel track width (20mm from memory) which doesnt sound much however sees the vehicle sit nice and securely on country roads, another option adjustable coil over fronts, which can be set soft or firm depending upon the driving you're doing... I've done 100km in the first VY and am around 50km on the VZ and dont think you'll regret your decision... cheers

Allow yourself 2-3k for intake, exhaust, and tune mods, (can be cheaper) however the fuel savings and performance improvement you will gain from it will more than compensate...