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I'm looking to buy a new car and interested in a Honda Civic coupe. I see that the automatic transmission has been changed from 5 speed to a continuously variable. I'm somewhat concerned about things I'm reading about 'continuously variable'. A glaring complaint I keep reading is that when accelerating, the engine races and you get the feeling of having a manual transmission with a bad slipping clutch. Acceleration is not a smooth engine RPM engagement.
For those of you who have a vehicle with a CVT, what are your experiences with it?
I went to three transmission shops and inquired about the CVT's reliability as I was considering a Jeep Compass - all of their automatic trannys are CVT. All three shops told me the same thing: they're junk! You can't service 'em or add fluids. You have to take the car in if the tranny slips or fails, and it'll cost you an arm, a leg, and your firstborn to have it repaired. Stay away.
Honda warranty for 'powertrain' is 5 years/60,000 miles. If there is a transmission problem, it should be covered. I'm not too concerned about problems with the transmission. I'm asking about the every day driving in traffic, accelerating/slowing. What does the engine do? Is it something you have to get use to driving, hearing?
OP, you asking subjective opinion question. Best is to test drive and extensively several different makes with CVT.
Regardless of what your shop said, as they have very few moving parts, CVTs are very reliable. Nissan had theirs worked quite well since Murano times.
I have Camry with "officially CVT" but in reality, it's a hybrid drive with no gears to shift. I am in total love with mine, but it's quite unique. Some say and I read plenty of all kinds of automotive magazines reviews, that CVTs drone during acceleration. As they are computer controlled.
But drone to Joe may be god send to Michael.
Drive and judge for yourself.
A glaring complaint I keep reading is that when accelerating, the engine races and you get the feeling of having a manual transmission with a bad slipping clutch. Acceleration is not a smooth engine RPM engagement.
For those of you who have a vehicle with a CVT, what are your experiences with it?
I have not noticed this with my 2010 Honda Insight that has a CVT. So far it's been reliable and as far as I know it's a fairly simple belt driven CVT that shouldn't be much to repair if it breaks down. CVT's have been around a long time. Even Leonardo Da Vinci was sketching them in the 15th century & cars in the late 19th century used them. Of course, the insight CVT may be completely different from the CVT in the civic. Initial engagement is delayed, but after that the CVT is very smooth with acceleration and deceleration. I've heard of people having problems when they don't use Honda CVT fluid. Honda's chief engineer acknowledged this. I wonder how many people this may relate to who reported problems with the Civics CVT? Maybe they took it to some quick lube place to get the fluid changed?
As far as maintenance, Honda maintenance minder comes on to change CVT every 30k miles, but some owners change it every oil change (10k). Again, the civic may be completely different.
Last edited by everwinter; 03-05-2014 at 09:12 PM..
I have a Nissan with one and don't mind it. Never has engine issues with it at all (currently at 42,000miles). Occasionally it doesn't have the best get up and go when starting from a. Stop. Other times it is very quick on the get up.
I think the OP should be cautious of some of the statements above. Nissan's CVT is not the same as the CVT used by Honda. Or the CVT used by Subaru. Just because Nissan had problems with its CVT doesn't mean Honda's won't be reliable. I would never project the poor quality of a Jeep Compass against any Honda. As for the "feel" of the car - go drive it. Consumer Reports said the new Accord CVT is the best available and noticeably better than the CVT in other cars.
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