2.5 vs 3.5 CVT (Reliability Difference?)

[GrahamDBraun]

Hello, I'm new to this site.
First off, I want to say that I used the search function before posting this site, but for someone new it's hard to dig through all the thousands and thousands of posts on this site! So if this has been discussed thoroughly, then I apologize in advance.

I'd read one thread here that was discussing how the CVT in the 3.5 Altima Coupe was more reliable than the CVT in the 2.5 Alt-C. They mentioned that most issues with the Altima Coupe's (or any nissan using the CVT) were from the 2.5 engines.

But just how reliable is the 3.5 CVT? I'm looking at purchasing one very soon, but it is my first (real) car, and while I do have funds set aside for maintenance, an $8'000 engine repair in the next 4 years isn't realistic for my budget.

Thank you all! And I hope you welcome me to the forum!

[bcola1234]

I think I read in the comments section of a YouTube video once of a guy claiming he was a ex nissan tech or something saying the cvt in the 3.5 was better than the ones the QR's have. Not sure on how true that is. I can say though I have almost 75k miles on my 3.5 and its running okay. Also, if you didn't already know Nisssan extended all warranties on the cvt to 10 year/120k miles from a original 5 year/60k miles on some of the early cvt models in their lineup for quality assurance a couple of years ago. For our cars this applies to any coupe from 2008-2010.

More info is here:
http://www.nissanassist.com/ProgramDetails.php?menu=2

[GrahamDBraun]

I think I read in the comments section of a YouTube video once of a guy claiming he was a ex nissan tech or something saying the cvt in the 3.5 was better than the ones the QR's have. Not sure on how true that is. I can say though I have almost 75k miles on my 3.5 and its running okay. Also, if you didn't already know Nisssan extended all warranties on the cvt to 10 year/120k miles from a original 5 year/60k miles on some of the early cvt models in their lineup for quality assurance a couple of years ago. For our cars this applies to any coupe from 2008-2010.

More info is here:
http://www.nissanassist.com/ProgramDetails.php?menu=2

Thanks for the reply! Does that apply to Canada as well?

[bcola1234]

I think I read in the comments section of a YouTube video once of a guy claiming he was a ex nissan tech or something saying the cvt in the 3.5 was better than the ones the QR's have. Not sure on how true that is. I can say though I have almost 75k miles on my 3.5 and its running okay. Also, if you didn't already know Nisssan extended all warranties on the cvt to 10 year/120k miles from a original 5 year/60k miles on some of the early cvt models in their lineup for quality assurance a couple of years ago. For our cars this applies to any coupe from 2008-2010.

More info is here:
http://www.nissanassist.com/ProgramDetails.php?menu=2

Thanks for the reply! Does that apply to Canada as well?

For Canada I would think probably not but I could be wrong. Call your local Nissan dealership. They may have something similar.