Buying a used Holden Crewman/Adventra (2003-2007)

The long history of Holden as Australia's most prolific car maker does not include a locally-produced 4WD until 2003. At the time, Holden’s imported 4WDs were generally unremarkable and never left more than a superficial dent in the market, so hopes were high for the Commodore-based Crewman ute and Adventra wagon.

Holden had watched Toyota, Nissan and others chew away at the traditional family sedan market with a succession of dual-cab utes, which doubled as a work-horse and family transport. Also lost to the traditional 'ute' market were fleet and government buyers who switched their buying preferences to exclude local suppliers.

Fightback came in the form of the VY II Crewman four-door ute, accompanied by a jacked-up wagon with extra diffs underneath which went by the name of Adventra. A hefty $160 million was tipped into model development, including an ingenious CrossTrac 4WD system, which still sent most of the engine's torque to the rear wheels.

The Crewman came initially in rear-wheel drive, with six or eight cylinders and manual transmission available across the range. While a basic 3.8-litre automatic at $32,490 was $6000 more than a normal ute, you could also step-up to the better-equipped S version. Those wanting extra grunt and luxury in their workhorse could choose a 5.7-litre SS with a four-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Goodies included remote locking, power front seat adjusters, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and side airbags and air-conditioning. Leather trim was an option.

Sharing showroom space with the Crewman was the headline-grabbing Adventra station wagon. True, 5.7 litres might have seemed extreme when rivals were generally in the 3.0-4.0 litre range, but Holden hoped the model would attract buyers who liked the rumble of a traditional eight-cylinder allied to plentiful space and reasonable rough-road capability. The CrossTrac system was available in Cross6 and Cross8 dual-cabs from 2004.

Load and towing capacity was a fraught issue and buyers needed to carefully examine the specification sheet to confirm their chosen model could handle the intended task. For example a six-cylinder rear-wheel-drive Crewman was rated to carry 1070kg in its truncated tray and tow (braked) up to 2100kg. A Cross 8 cut weight in the tray to 738kg while increasing towing capacity to 2500kg.

The VZ Holden range arrived in mid-2004 and brought a downsized but more refined V6 plus some extra power for both it and the V8. Six-cylinder versions gained the benefit of a modern five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering column.

Stability control was standard.

At $40,990, the basic CX6 Adventra was clearly intended to attack Ford's well-established Territory SUV. However the high-set Holden just didn't 'click' with family or corporate buyers and production ended with the VE changeover. The Crewman survived until 2007 and some were available new even well into 2008.

Buyers usually can't test 4WD versions in anything approaching off-road conditions, however, owners who have taken the all-paw Commodore offshoots into the wilds generally have positive recollections of the experience.

Sitting 80mm higher than rear-wheel drive equivalents, the ute and wagon were always going to suffer more pronounced body roll in bends and could not hope for the same lateral grip as lower-slung versions. However most owners understand their vehicles' limitations and drive them accordingly.

Flowing, unsealed roads are where the Adventra feels most at home. The big wheels and beefy suspension components deal dismissively with bumps, grids and corrugations. Owners do warn that caution is needed when tackling creek crossings or washaways to avoid crunching the elongated front-end.

The seats – leather was an option - aren't brilliant and occupants will be keen for a stretch and walk around after just a few hours. The rear backrest — as in a lot of dual-cabs — will be too upright for some. The Holden Crewman tray when empty can thrum sufficiently to send rear-seat passengers looking for headphones and loud tunes.

On sealed roads, the extra noise from 4WD versions comes mainly from the ‘off-roadish’ tyres, but loose surfaces seemingly magnify the impact of every rock against the underside, suggesting some cost-cutting in the sound deadening department.

Four-speed automatic transmission was mandatory in the 4WDs and chosen with toughness and compatibility top of mind. The six-speed manual available, only in rear wheel-drive versions, is probably the best option if your driving is mainly in wide open spaces.

Pitted against a five-speed auto in something like the Subaru Outback or Toyota Kluger, the Holden four-speed unit shows its age, however, given effective maintenance they do seem to hang together. People who tow with Cross 8s recommend an auxiliary oil cooler for the transmission and frequent oil changes.

Where all of these vehicles do suffer is in urban fuel consumption. Tests of an LX8 Adventra when new suggested 15.5L/100km as a fair urban figure, however, owners who have lived with their heavyweight Holdens for some time report around-town consumption can easily climb above 20L/100km, with open-road slurping at 13-14L/100km.

Dismal Adventra sales have been reflected over subsequent years in poor resale values. So there are bargains to be had for people who might use their vehicle sporadically but still like the convenience of a big, versatile wagon for longer trips or a bit of gentle off-roading.

Six-cylinder rear-drive Crewman utes are relatively cheap as well and viable for small businesses on a budget or anyone wanting to cart the family plus some cargo.

Ex-fleet vehicles need very careful and suspicious inspection. They must have service books dating back to initial delivery to confirm proper servicing did continue past expiry of the warranty period. Police and commercial-use vehicles may have been hammered early in life and the effects on transmission and suspension components may have started to manifest. Definitely worth paying extra for is a privately-owned Crewman, which hasn't been used for heavy towing or been subjected to rough rural roads

>> 3.8-litre Holdens can stall intermittently and the reasons are hard to fathom. Sensors are a frequent culprit but also look for loose coil connections and even a failing battery. Your test drive should get the engine to proper operating temperature and be long enough to detect unexpected engine shut-downs or stuttering under light throttle. Listen for timing chain clatter in the later 3.6-litre versions as the chains stretch and can break if not replaced.

>> Holden engines are notorious oil leakers, with the later Alloytec not immune. Blocked PCV valves can force oil out of rocker covers and the timing cover is another known source of drips. Leaks from the back of the cylinder heads involve significant repair expenses. If an engine has just been cleaned prior to sale and is already showing signs of oil loss, find another car

>> Manual-transmission utes can suffer premature clutch wear and failure. Accelerate in top gear from around 40km/h to check for clutch slip

>> Check the transmission fluid isn't black and smelling like an overdone pork roast. Jerking when downshifting and clunking noises from the front axle area denote a car worth avoiding

>> Before sending the vehicle for a professional on-hoist inspection, have a squint underneath with a torch to detect impact damage to the floor-pans and sills, and/or a crushed and leaking exhaust system. Rust can effectively end the life of these vehicles, especially if regularly dipped in salt water at boat ramps and not thoroughly washed so ask the current owner what the vehicle has been used for

>> Check the wheel-arch extensions for damage and make sure the hinged rear window continues to exclude dust as it should.

USED VEHICLE GRADING
Design & Function: 14/20
Safety: 12/20
Practicality: 14/20
Value for Money: 15/20
Wow Factor: 12/20 (SS Crewman)
TOTAL SCORE: 67/100

ALSO CONSIDER: Ford Territory Ghia, Nissan Navara D40, Subaru Outback 3.0R