Do I want a CVT?

"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn) 11/22/2015 at 21:22 • Filed to: None

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My wife and I are looking at 2015 Honda Civics, and the base model comes only with a CVT. I’d rather move up to the Si and the 6-speed manual, and I still may push for that. But really, do I want a CVT? I’m skeptical.

MLGCarGuy > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:25

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It’s ok to get a CVT. Most on here will warn you not to, but I say you should; the Accord’s CVT is excellent and behaves just like a conventional auto, plus it doesn’t make whining noises like Nissan’s CVT. If the Civic’s CVT is anything like the Accord’s, then you’ll like it.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:28

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I’m sure LX and EX(well on coupes) models do come with the manual.
But if you can afford the Si, why not go for it? Even though the upcoming Type R will destroy it, the current Si is a pretty good car.

ttyymmnn > Nymphicus Hollandicus 11/22/2015 at 21:29

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We’ve got three kids, so a coupe is out of the question. Right after I posted this, I realized that you can get the basest of base Civics with a 5-speed. And this is also for new. We haven’t started looking at used.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:31

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Yup, it also really depends on your preference. Can’t go wrong with either but the 5-speed might be more fun ;)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:32

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Last time I drove a CVT it was a Maxima. It felt like its clutch was slipping badly.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:38

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Test drive it. That’s the only way to know if you want it.

ttyymmnn > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 11/22/2015 at 21:41

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I know. I’m thinking like an old fogey who really wants another manual.

Under_Score > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:42

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I had a CVT Civic in drivers ed, and it was a good car. My sister also has a CVT Rogue; great vehicle.

Is the Civic gonna be replacing the 02-04 Odyssey I saw in an older post of yours?

ttyymmnn > Nymphicus Hollandicus 11/22/2015 at 21:42

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The Si has a 6-speed. Even better! But also about $5k more expensive.

fhrblig > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:48

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The CVT in our Juke turbo is ok. In the Versa Note I’ve driven, not so much. More power makes a big difference with them.

ttyymmnn > Under_Score 11/22/2015 at 21:49

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No, it’s replacing the ‘01 Golf with 214k miles. It’s a 5-speed, and I would really like to replace it with another manual. My 13-year-old will be driving soon, and I want him to learn to drive stick. I’ll definitely give one of the CVTs a test, though.

ttyymmnn > MLGCarGuy 11/22/2015 at 21:50

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That’s good to know. I really want a manual, and my wife is open to the idea. I’m just a bit bummed at how few manual choices there are these days.

whoarder is tellurium > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:50

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I cant speak for Honda’s CVT, but the CVT in the Nissan Versa Note rental car I drove was simply “OK”.

In the regular Drive position, it would simulate shifting ratios and keep the car in the power band. However, I will say there were times when the transmission straight up refused to let the engine go anywhere near redline when I put my foot down.

Overall, the power from the engine feels overly dampened and soft. Softer than a lazy automatic.

Ram_Riot_6 > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:52

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My daily has a CVT and I like it. It’s nice how smooth they are in city driving.

Nymphicus Hollandicus > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:53

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There’s always certified pre-owned!

Under_Score > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 21:56

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Ah, makes sense. Downsizing from an MPV to a Rogue back in 2008 worked for us because my sister and I are the only kids, but I think 3+ kids requires the van.

Also, regardless of trim or transmission, all of the Civics have backup cameras. :D

ttyymmnn > Nymphicus Hollandicus 11/22/2015 at 21:59

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Absolutely. We bought our Odyssey off a lease, and we’ll likely do something similar here. We haven’t really started looking in earnest yet, but it looks like the Fed is going to raise interest rates next month, so we need to get hopping.

ttyymmnn > Ram_Riot_6 11/22/2015 at 22:00

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My wife will be DD’ing the new car, and doing so in lots of traffic. I’m sure she’d appreciate that. But I want a manual, and I think she’s on board with that.

ttyymmnn > whoarder is tellurium 11/22/2015 at 22:01

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Good to know. You’re the second person to call out the Nissan CVT. Frankly, there’s not much on the Nissan lot that interests me these days.

Sam > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 22:08

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I mean, it’s better than walking. The only cars I find CVTs very fitting is super-eco ones, like a Prius or a Volt.

Boxer_4 > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 22:32

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The CVT will really depend on the manufacturer (and the car). My CVT experiences include a 2007 and 2010 Caliber with the 2.4L and 2.0L, a 2012 Altima with the 2.5L, a 2013 Versa with the 1.6L, and a 2015 Forester with the 2.5L.

The Versa was by far the worst experience, followed by the 2007 and 2010 Caliber. All three were rubber-band-like and noisy. They also exacerbated the lack of power of the 2010 Caliber and 2013 Versa. The CVT in the Altima was a lot better in all of these aspects.

I’ve had the most time with the CVT in the Forester, and have to say that it’s the best CVT I’ve experienced. Except for a few unusual (but normal) noises on occasion, it’s very quiet. It’s fairly quick to accelerate once you are moving, too, but not as sharp as a traditional automatic from a stop. It’s unobtrusive, and has a good “directly connected to the engine” feel. The fuel economy is fantastic, too (Averaged ~30 mpg on a 400 mile road trip this weekend, where I would have probably seen ~23 mpg in my 4-speed auto Forester).

My personal opinion: if you want a non-performance oriented car with an automatic, a good CVT is the way to go. If you want a car with a manual transmission, you should probably get a car with a manual transmission.

Go drive a Civic with a CVT and see how it drives/feels.

boxrocket > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 22:35

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No.

Get a Mazda3.

Also, the infotainment system on mid- and top-level Hondas is atrocious, especially with touch buttons for volume instead of a rotary knob. Awful to use.

ttyymmnn > boxrocket 11/22/2015 at 22:38

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Thanks for the tip.

plak424 > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 22:59

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Short answer: no.

The CVT in the new fit was so bad that my fiancé completely ruled that car out when we were searching for a new car for her. We wound up with a Mazda 2 which accelerated faster and felt like it was a good amount more powerful even though it had 30 less hp.

Edit: damn auto correct

wafflesnfalafel > ttyymmnn 11/22/2015 at 23:52

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I’ve driven two CVTs, a 2015 Nissan Murano which was horrible and would never buy one, and a Subaru Outback which was not bad, but still not as good as the 4spd auto in my wife’s 2005 Altima. I understand why car companies use them, but it doesn’t mean I have to like them.

pip bip - choose Corrour > ttyymmnn 11/23/2015 at 02:04

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go manual.

Becks118 > ttyymmnn 11/23/2015 at 07:54

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Depends what kind of driving experience you want. Obviously Honda’s six speeds are great, like the one in my ‘10 Si, but if you or your wife don’t care much about that than a CVT is fine. My wife has one in her Legacy and, although it’s boring, she’s really happy with it so far. You get used to the drone after awhile.

plak424 > boxrocket 11/23/2015 at 08:16

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I second the opinion of buying a 3 lol. I’ve told 3 people to go check them out and all 3 have bought one.

ttyymmnn > Becks118 11/23/2015 at 08:28

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I was more concerned with the reliability and driveability of it. I’ve heard nothing but good remarks on Honda’s CVT. Personally, I’m pushing for the manual, and I’m going to try hard to get us into an Si. :)