Considering buying a car with a CVT transmission: thoughts?

**ducatilover** · 9th October 2012, 18:58

CVT gearbox development has come a fairly long way in recent times. Services are cheaper and further apart, gearboxes are smoother and more efficient than before as manufacturers are throwing away torque converters (Devil's favourite invention) in favour of proper clutch set ups.

The newer Subaru units are pretty decent, they've put a huge amount of time and money in to CVT tech over the last 20-something years (If I remember right the Vivio was available with CVT)and they're far nicer than the conventional auto units and if programmed and driven well, offer fuel savings.

Do it, why not?

**paturoa** · 9th October 2012, 20:12

I'd be looking the other way from any that have tow bars attached.

I've had a 3.5 maxima and it was superb!. Going along the motorway at 100ks and select 5, 4, 3 then 2nd in manual mode. Smoother than a smooth thing. I've currently got a Primera CVT which is quite asthmatic, but that is more the engine than the tranny. Not a problem.

**spanner spinner** · 9th October 2012, 21:50

The latest CVT's are a huge improvement over the earlier ones. As the manufactures chase the lowering co2 levels they need to meet to pass the new emission rules we will see most cars fitted with these as they are a good compromise between performance and economy and build price. As for life of these units they are designed to last the life of the car, the problem is that NZ owners keep there cars for longer than the manufactures expect. BUT!!! if you do the servicing required, change the oil when they say to and use the right oil even if you have to buy it off Nissan Mazda etc they will do big mileages with no problems. Most of these I have seen with issues are due to contaminated oil blocking control solenoids or oil ways due to lack of servicing or incorrect grade of oil used.

**trustme** · 10th October 2012, 14:28

Wife has a Nissan Tino , had it for 10 years, over 200,000km. Blown a pump once which was quite expensive, oil changes are dear, gutless off the mark, really cheap to run on a long distance , the motor just idles along at 100kph. Overall, more than happy with it.

**caspernz** · 10th October 2012, 19:19

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

The majority of CVT gearboxes are fine, it's just the muppets who never service them complain when they break. Service it properly and you shouldn't have any problems.

That would be my opinion as well.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 11th October 2012, 10:40

Originally Posted by caspernz

That would be my opinion as well.

Pretty much. Plus I like the vehicle so I think it will have to be done.

Like anything, servicing is the key

**Flip** · 11th October 2012, 11:34

Mrs Flip had a Ho-ho-nda, thats a Honda with an extra Ho, with one, it was a great car, went fine.

These days my requirements for a car is, it must handle well and go fast. If I want comfort I will take the Harley.

**James Deuce** · 11th October 2012, 11:46

They are really horrible to live with. Noisy and slow and any load just means you have to put up with a screaming engine at really inappropriate times. Can't stand them particularly as it just feels like driving an overweight car with a fucked clutch.

**ducatilover** · 11th October 2012, 12:03

Originally Posted by James Deuce

They are really horrible to live with. Noisy and slow and any load just means you have to put up with a screaming engine at really inappropriate times. Can't stand them particularly as it just feels like driving an overweight car with a fucked clutch.

That's usually down to having a pathetic little engine and a torque converter eating all the power, the current model Corolla with the 1.5 is an excellent example of that

**James Deuce** · 11th October 2012, 12:04

Maxima, Tino, Primera, MPV, Liberty, all with CV trans, all bloody awful. If they were poorly maintained examples then my benchmarks may be skewed but I found them all very ugly places to be.

**ducatilover** · 11th October 2012, 12:17

Originally Posted by James Deuce

Maxima, Tino, Primera, MPV, Liberty, all with CV trans, all bloody awful. If they were poorly maintained examples then my benchmarks may be skewed but I found them all very ugly places to be.

Each to their own perhaps?
I personally like three pedals.