Hi all, I am considering an older Adria model - possibly optima 2 1990ish.
Have you had one? got one? what do you think of them?
I know they dont have an oven, but any other real drawbacks with them? are they very small? Why are they often a little cheaper - is it just because they are a foreign van?
cany comment on a older adria ours is a 2003 model but in four years of use by a family of six, we have had only one fault and that was the water pump. they are very solid vans with exellent build quality, we have seen afew older ones on various sites and they still look solid
Hi Woody, I've a 1992 Optima 400b. Initially, I bought mine to sit at a Farm where our pony is stabled, and obviously it does this job brilliantly. It's so nice to have somewhere warm and dry to take the kids while we're waiting for vet etc. to arrive. It's pretty basic, no hot water, shower or oven. Mine does have an electric flush loo. Small? Well yes, mine is about 14' but it's also lightweight MPLW 1000KG. Easy to manouver, even by hand.
I've no idea why they are cheaper than other vans, the dealer where I bought mine described it as 'ugly, with the gas box stuck on as an after thought' so perhaps they just don't appeal visually to the English Market? But you do seem to get a lot of caravan for the money.
I've not had it long and without realising bought a 'do it upper'. The ripple finish on the caravan skin made removing the old sealant difficult. But for a 16 year old van the damp damage was really minimal, with only one corner and a section of the floor needing replacing.
We've only had one trip out with it, at that point we didn't have an awning so for a family of four, space was a bit tight, the weather didn't help as we couldn't sit outside.
The only 'problems' I've found is lack of work space. If you intend to use a microwave or t.v. there simply isn't anywhere other than the cooker top to put anything. Plenty of cupboard space though, so it wouldn't be a difficult job to install a microwave (or an oven under the grill) in one. I think I'm going to add a T.V. shelf over one corner of the front sofa too.
We're off to Dawlish in a couple of weeks with a full awning this time and I'm hoping this extra space will make all the difference.
Space issues aside, I love my Adria! It's just about big enough for all of us, but not to big to get in the way at the farmyard. Now the repairs are finished it's bone dry too!
Hi Woody,
Ive just upgraded to a larger caravan after having a 1987 Adria 350b for 3 years.It was bought to see if the family enjoyed caravaning.In the time we have had it ,we have had no problems at all.The van is light and comfortable but being only 12ft got a little small, as our daughter grew bigger.The van never leaked and would have no problems recommending Adria vans to anyone.
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Topic: Adria owners views please
