Cvt

[mitdr774]

The 9 months working in an Olds, Nissan, Isuzu dealer was an eye opener about Nissans inability to offer a reliable CVT in the vehicles that chose to put it in. Gm didnt do so well with the Ion either.

Overall I suspect the cost of the CVT far exceeds the fuel savings it may or may not provide.

Using the Ion as an example and ebay as a quick check:

CVT 1500-1650 for a used or rebuilt unit.

F23 250-450 for a used unit. I used to buy 0 mile take outs from Schram for $450 when I was breaking them in my 02Z24. I guess they dont like double the stock power levels?????


I know that manufactures only care about the trans making it to the end of warranty before it fails, but as a customer I prefer that my parts last longer than that before needing an expensive repair. A transmission replacement should not be part of a 100k service.

 

[RMinNJ]

The new Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla come with a CVT...Motortrend somehow gives them better 5 year cost of ownership than a regular transmission Mazda... Based on the Toyota and Honda name they are selling like hotcakes here.. Will be interesting to see.

 

[shorebreeze]

Given the pricing on the new Honda Fit, something about CVT is working in the cost department. And the markup for CVT from manual seems about the same as it would be with a regular automatic.

 

[mitdr774]

I would not be shocked if the cost to build a CVT was about the same as a typical automatic now. The bigger cost is service or replacement down the road. Last I knew no manufacture offered a serviceable CVT in a production vehicle. Makes for an expensive repair when you have to replace the entire unit to fix a failed $100 part (just picking a random cost as an example).

Look at the trans for the GT-R. Wasnt it something like a $20k replacement cost with no repair option? I am sure the cost has come down by now, but if Nissan does not allow for service parts you still have to replace it as a unit.

I dont hate CVTs, but I feel they have a use and road going automobiles is not exactly that use. Unless manufactures can make them reliable, serviceable, and long term cost effective I do not see them as a viable option in an automobile. That does not mean they wont be forced upon us though. Once its out of warranty it is no longer the manufactures problem to deal with.

 

[Palmaris]

My brother's CVT in his Subaru is now up to 60'000 miles. Lets hope he gets at least double that!

I have no experience with CVT reliability, but if they all fail early I'd like to get that information out there as soon as possible. Lets stop guessing and get some good facts on the reliability of the new transmissions.

 

[rodslinger]

Kinda related, kinda not...

Audi Phasing Out CVT in Favor of 7-Speed DCT

An automaker giving up on them kinda reinforces my thoughts. While they MIGHT provide better economy in specific situations, it turns the car into a lifeless pile of garbage.

I'm interested to see some fuel economy numbers from any manufacturer that went from a CVT back to a conventional auto or DSG transmission. I know ford did it with the Freestyle when they updated it to the Flex but they also went with a larger motor and a slightly larger vehicle too (a lot larger actually). Offsetting weight and engine may skew the numbers.

 

[Lazza]

However don't most lower end hybrids use CVTs? I haven't heard of any CVT issues with a Toyota Prius, for example.

Although I have never driven one and I do believe they have gotten better and probably more reliable, I don't see myself owning a CVT vehicle. I'll stick with a manual or a conventional 6 speed auto (... or possibly a DCT, but that would be a stretch).


_Lazza

 

[94383Z71]

I sincerely doubt they're more reliable, but nobody has any real data.

The hybrids might, but they don't stress a driveline the same way a standard gas engine would - from what I've seen