VZ Adventra SX6/CX6

[Torquative]

Just wondering if anyone here owns one, or knows someone who does, that we can ask questions of?

We've got a fairly large boat and we use our VS Exec to tow it. We've heard of the transmission problems associated with the VS verses towing and got some work done on it a few months back with the plan on running the VS into the ground over the next 4 or so years until its completely dead.

Finally on the weekend we took the boat out and :b: theyve made it worse. It shdders in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. It makes a grinding noise in all gears, even on the flat freeway. It cant decide which gear it wants and at 80 k's dabs back to 2nd then 3rd then 4th then back to 3rd then 4th then tried 2nd again just to be sure.

So we're considering the Adventra CX6 (so its got Active Select this time) if its everything Holden says it is it should be a decent car to pull the boat

But we're just trying to find out, more then anything, true fuel consumption figures on the new VZ sixes, especially city driving. We can find reviews that talk about its got good or bad figures on the Alloytec, but no one really lists them!

The other thing we want to find out is any problems with them and owners thoughts. I say this because we've got an SV6 (company car minus the towbar!) and its already had some minor problems since about 3 weeks old, problems you wouldnt expect with such a hyped about car!

[Adventra LX6]

I have an LX6 that has less than 3000km and it gets around 14.5-16 L/100 at the moment on country roads.

[Stretchomatic]

dunno if this is any help but we have a CX8 adventra and on country roads we get from 13 to 16L/100 but its ability to tow is awesome, we towed our boat with it and there was no difference in economy while towing the boat (except uphill). this is the v8 so i dont know if youre really interested in what i just said or not, cant say much about sixes though.

[Torquative]

Lx6, thanks for that! I see you registered just to reply to my topic and its appreciated!

I'm surprised its that high fuel consumption, but it sounds about right from what I hear

Other then that do you like it? Have you had any issues with it?

Big Stretch, thanks for that too. I dont know how much different a 6 would be, I'd imagine fuel would go up a fraction, then again the Adventra is designed for towing so who knows!

[Adventra LX6]

HI

Had to travel to Sydney yesterday and i recorded the following Consumption first long trip in a while.

10.7 L/100km and 11.9 L/100km on the return trip.

Apart from that i love the car well featured good road feel, could do with a little more low down grunt but works well in the higher revs.

[Torquative]

Ok I've been speaking with some Holden mechanics and they've said for some reason they've found with the V6 Adventra's, the owners have found better fuel consumption with the more K's they put on the clock???

I realise yours is still only practically new, it must be what, a few weeks old? I'm only taking a guess but it sounds like yours might be headed down the same track.

I'd be driving ours to and from work, but I leave home before peak hour traffic and leave work before afternoon peak hour, so its more country driving on the freeway then stop start of peak hour.

We're still seriously looking at them, possibly buying one in the next few weeks, but please keep me updated with your consumption levels because we're still trying to factor in our running costsd as best we can!!

[Adventra LX6]

Yes i think your right. The more Km's we put on the better it seems to get.

Yes its about 3 weeks old.

I will keep you posted.

[Torquative]

we're going to take one or 2 for a test drive from different dealerships on the weekend anyway, and see what the computer says fuel usage is, then ask the salesman why is it so high and see how they respond.

We all ready know the fuel usage wont be right, especially demos as their usually well and truley flogged by "future customers", even when a salesman is in the passenger seat, and seeing as the computer works out usage by "your" driving habits ...

[Torquative]

well ...

Went to one dealer who had the LX6 on display (up on ramps though) and was more then happy to help, until he learnt that dad is considering buying it via some lease agreement. We went from the more then helpful to the "youll have to see the fleet salesman on monday".

We stood in the pouring rain for 10 mins while he found the fleet guys card, then we stood for another 15 mins while he looked for the VZ Adventra brouchure.

He then kindly took us for a walk 'round back where they had a brand new SX6 (whatever the base model is), although it was rush rush, dad sat down in the car, the dealer looked at me in my HRT jacket and said "quite obviously you can see its a base model, the CX6 is the acclaim version and the LX6 is the Calais version. If you know what these cars are then you know what to expect in the interior". I tried to get into the car but once dad got out of the drivers seat the door was shut and we were away. We could take the LX6 out because it was too difficult to remove from the display stand.

The second dealer we visited didnt want to talk to us. We got out of our SV6, walked over the to Adventra. Sat in it for ages, and not one salesman come over. I even blasted the horn and left the lights on high beam and hazard lights on to try and get attention, but no one come over, so we got bored and walked out.

The third dealer didnt have any at all

The fourth dealer asked were we interested in the wagons. Dad replied we're looking at an Adventra V6. The salesman paused for a bit and said "we've got 6 coming in, but their all sold. Theres a massive waiting list for V6 Adventras because Holden is only releasing them in batches of 50 to 100 at a time" Dad asked could he let us know when they have one avaliable "err yes but it wont be for a while and I dont have a card on me"

The fifth dealer had shut shop and moved, but where too we dont know. The dealer thats moved in tried to sell us Honda CRX's, Nissan Pulsars and Skylines!

So tomorrow ive got a mate coming over (hes a massive ford fan so he'll enjoy the walk) and we're going to a few dealers that are more out of the area (closer to the city then more South in the afternoon)

Dad isnt sure if he likes the LX6 yet, Ive been trying to get him into the Lx6 because I want a sunroof and the SS style headlights and foglights, but he's still thinking whether he likes the black interior (he prefers the silver from the SV6) and whether he likes the guages or not. We had a VZ SS for a few weeks earlier this year which he loved, but for some reason hes not too keen on the interior of the LX6 (which is almost identical to the SS)

But at this stage it seems the LX6 is all we can at least touch at some dealerships!

Anyway hopefully we can take one for a test drive tomorrow, hopefully!

[Torquative]

well, it took long enough but we finally got there

The first dealer today I had been speaking with earlier, they could only get in second hand cars, but I thought they meant VZ's because I was told their "brand new". In acctual fact he meant VY LX8's ... no good!

By the time we got to the second dealer it was pouring with rain, but we saw one in their lot as we drove past. The rain started to really pour as we walked into the lot so we jumped inside and come actoss a CX6 inside anyway!

We took their demo CX6 out for a drive and dad has decided to get one, despite what we've heard about fuel. The label and the dealer proclaimed 13.7 or something per 100 km's, but going off what youve said its a bit over the place.

The CX6 is nice, I wanted the LX6 but dad hated the interior (cx isnt much better)

[Torana]

Yeah the CX6 is based on the Berlina. That salesman said it's based on the Acclaim which is bullshit. The SX6 is half-half Executive/Acclaim.

[Fredo]

Y2KGoofball,
You wouldn't happen to be from SA would you - and the first dealer you went to was Metro Holden on Main North Rd, Adelaide???

I went there last weekend when I saw a new LX6 on a stand there. Got to have a real good look at underneath as the back end was sitting up quite high on the stand. Very nice!!!

Then one of the sales guys comes out. I wasn't looking to buy new but would prefer the V6 option as it comes with a few more options like the 5 speed trans and all the Hill Decent Control plus other garb. The salesperson then shows me over 2004 (not even 12 months old) LX8 over in the corner. My eyes light up - but the V8 engine is putting me off considering I do alot of beach type stuff and the V8 would chew thru the juice.

Anyway, I sit in, start it up and have a good look around. The car had done 28K - as I said the car was just under 12 months old. Tyres looked reasonably good and the car was very clean. Mmmm... I wonder why the previous owner is selling, so I grab the details, leave my number with the sales guy and walk away with a couple of Holden glasses (some promo they were doing on the day).

A couple of days later I ring the previous owner who lives approx 100km north of Adelaide - a country owner you might say. Told him I was ringing to find out about the LX8 he traded and to just see first hand what he thought of it. Well - I wasn't ready for what I was about to hear. Firstly, the tyres looked pretty good because that was the THIRD set of tyres in 28K of driving. Apparently, Holden couldn't fing the cause of the tyre wear but the prev owner said he reckoned a couple of bolts were missing in the front end because every now and then you'd hear a big knock!!! Secondly, the electrics were shot. Lights would stay on for no reason, blinkers would go off once the car was locked - I was hearing a horror story!!!

The prev owner loved the engine, comfort and the car in general which he used to tow a large boat to the river. However, he couldn't handle the constant problems with the car and decided to sell.

I guess it's lucky that I rang the prev owner to get his opinion. The salesman will probably ring me very soon and ask if i've decided to go for a test drive. Mate, he's gonna face the music...

Anyway, I enjoyed this little thread on the Adventra and thought i'd throw in this story from someone who is very keen to purchase a LX6 in the near future. I too am very interested on fuel economy figures and what everyone thinks of their V6 Adventra's. Please post any info on problems encountered etc so the rest of us know what we're getting ourselves in for. There's no way i'm gonna spend my hard earned on a dud - which I nearly did last weekend!!!

[Torquative]

No I'm not from Adelaide (but I know its a nice place!)

yes I too faced the used car salesman (when they would talk) who were more then happy to show you last years V8, although like you the V8 would be nice it isnt really an option!

Ive heard the originals had problems (VY V8's) which is why their not selling as good thus why they expanded to 3 V6 variations!

Then again it could just be the car ...

I know of a guy who works at Holden and was taking a brand new car (12 k's, yes 12, not 12 000 or 1200 or 120) to have the windows detailed only to have the front brake callipers fall apart literally.

The mechanics had been working on it, dont know why it had supposidly only just come off the truck, and they passed the road test as the owner was expecting his new car and they were already a day behind.

Turns out they forgot to tension the brake calliper bolts, and when the car took off for its window tint down the road the bolts just fell out. Not only did he have only 1 brake (it was a Combo or Barina or one of them small ones with drum rear brakes), it also literally chewed through the disc as it had been rubbing against it!

It had to get towed back to Holden for them to have a second shot at the brakes, all while the new owner is told its still in transit from Melbourne!

Anyway we will be getting ours in a few weeks (financial BS), the only thing ive heard wrong with the VZ sixes is the fuel economy is "high" because the engine is pulling extra weight, then again ive spoken to a few owners of the V6 versions, who have all said with some k's on the dial theyve found the fuel consumption has dropped, still higher then a standard commodore, but my guess is because of the extra weight too!

Please post any info on problems encountered etc so the rest of us know what we're getting ourselves in for.

definately. I tried to to my homework but it failed as I could only find info on the VY V8's :b:

[SleeperCX6]

Yeah hi everyone

Yeah my story isnt to far from some of your guys .

Well ours started when we bought a brand new viva hatch black nifty little runner but was definatly missing that feeling. Anyway couple of months later while i was at work my missus rang me and said ive got us a new car (2nd hand more like it). So when she told me it was a adventra i staright away jumped on the net to see what they looked like. I was pretty impressed as the look nice and bulky n i like that look. So i drove our viva into the shop the next day and 5min later i was driving out with this new car and felt pretty good with everyone looking at me cause i was only 21 at the time and from what ive heard its more of an middle aged group kinda ride. Anyway was very happy with the car until i noticed that it was pulling to the side. So i rang my mechanic and he looked at it and said your car has been in a big crash. WTF!!! couldnt believe what i was hearing. He said the whole front end had been replaced but not properly as to why it was pulling. Then he showed me all the places that where "bogged" up. even showed me a part that was still bent.

After hearing that i took it back to the dealers and said i wanna trade this in. they rememberd me from the other day. They didnt even look at the car and said " umm sorry mate we dont need any adventras atm, well give u a ring when we do" i then said to him "how were u guys able to sell me this car when u knew it had been in an accident and if you had taken it for a drive ud notice the steering was F---d"..........All he said was "u never asked".

So weve now had the car for 6 years now and its ended up growing on us, but heynext time you go to a dealer u have to ask them about the history of the car even if you have to call the previious owners yourself. :-))

[caaf]

Without intensely reading all the above threads I can only make one major suggestion with the adventura's.. Get yourself a top notch additional trans oil cooler mounted up the front.. As the transmission is neatly tucked away behind a bash plate and inturn the hot air from the engine bay passes right around it (ducting) and it will over heat and it will fail from heat stress.. First to go is normally third gear. One could also consider forcing air on both side of the trans possibly from the wheel well area. I've had a friends in the pass that keep to the standard and ended up with near failed/failed. That's my two cents worth