Opinion time CVT Transmission!! Hate it or Love it??

[AJ_TEXAS]

I would like to hear the opinions of my fellow A/C owners. I just cant seem to enjoy the way it sounds when you put the pedal down. I have been around fast cars and in the Automotive industry for 14 years. I dont like the non-shift and the horrible wind up noise, but i love the look and feel of the car. What do you think???

[marlin29311]

I believe that wind up noise is the 2.5 engine....the 3.5 has no such noise. Try getting a new exhaust or intake.

I love my CVT - it's no 6 m/t, but it kicks an auto transmission's butt any day of the week.

[Ferguson]

I had to settle for a CVT because an MT would have taken 2-3 months to get and I couldn't afford to wait (I was renting at the time). I always drive the CVT in manual mode because it at least has some semblance of gearing. In straight CVT mode.... YUCK!

I'm still considering a trade-in for a MT even though it will cost me a bundle.

But, I should add... I do love the car otherwise!

[JAFO]

I bought a CVT because I use this car to commute to work in and I don't want to sit in traffic with a MT (had one last car; auto is MUCH better for traffic situations!).

I do enjoy the relative seemlessness of shifting with the CVT. It is a very smooth ride.

[RobPaulson]

I bought a CVT because I use this car to commute to work in and I don't want to sit in traffic with a MT (had one last car; auto is MUCH better for traffic situations!).

I do enjoy the relative seemlessness of shifting with the CVT. It is a very smooth ride.

I dont understand why people dont like MT's in traffic. If you drive it every day, shouldnt shifting be effortless at that point??

I drive a MT and hit traffic both ways on my commute, it is only 35-40min commute, but I never find myself thinking 'UGH I HATE SHIFTING! why didnt i get an automatic . . .??'

Anyway, that being said, I wouldnt trade my 6MT for anything, i absolutely love it and it is everything i could have expected. Deciding to wait 2 months for my car was the best decision i ever made (automotive wise anyway ahah)

EDIT:FORGOT about the actual topic LOL. I test drove a CVT, I thought it was cool for the first few minutes. Until i tried punching it into a corner. It caught me completely off guard (with horribleness) and almost made me look elseware (to a used infinity or BMW). Then i thought, hey, the manual mode must work well. Tried that, its NOTHING like an actual manual transmission. There is nothing like cruising in a gear at 2500 and dropping it down a gear or 2 and pushing yourself into your seat a bit. I live for that insta-jolt of power when i drive.

Also, I am curious myself, how are those CVT's in the snow?? I know i found myself thanking GOD that i got my 6MT in the recent snowstorm CT just had. IDK what i would have done if i couldnt control my gears . . . or didnt have them for that matter

[Hussain]

CVT is nice.... it's smooth and still gives a lot of power and also has a manual mode to drown shift and floor the gas for that instant jump..... my 3.5se CVT is fast BUT it doesn't feel fast, a 2.5 MT feels faster (but the 3.5se CVT is actually faster). its just so smooth that you don't feel it which could be good or bad depending on if you want sport or luxury... oh and no winding noise from my 3.5se.

[JAFO]

I dont understand why people dont like MT's in traffic. If you drive it every day, shouldnt shifting be effortless at that point??

I drive a MT and hit traffic both ways on my commute, it is only 35-40min commute, but I never find myself thinking 'UGH I HATE SHIFTING! why didnt i get an automatic . . .??'

Anyway, that being said, I wouldnt trade my 6MT for anything, i absolutely love it and it is everything i could have expected. Deciding to wait 2 months for my car was the best decision i ever made (automotive wise anyway ahah)

EDIT:FORGOT about the actual topic LOL. I test drove a CVT, I thought it was cool for the first few minutes. Until i tried punching it into a corner. It caught me completely off guard (with horribleness) and almost made me look elseware (to a used infinity or BMW). Then i thought, hey, the manual mode must work well. Tried that, its NOTHING like an actual manual transmission. There is nothing like cruising in a gear at 2500 and dropping it down a gear or 2 and pushing yourself into your seat a bit. I live for that insta-jolt of power when i drive.

Also, I am curious myself, how are those CVT's in the snow?? I know i found myself thanking GOD that i got my 6MT in the recent snowstorm CT just had. IDK what i would have done if i couldnt control my gears . . . or didnt have them for that matter

Rob, I felt the same as you when I was younger. I still love driving MT's, don't get me wrong but seeing as how I am in traffic more often that not, the automatic is just more convenient-only one arm and one foot needed! Not saying that I wouldn't be able to survive with the manual, it's just slightly more comfortable for me to have an AT in traffic.

Also, I go into the City (San Francisco) quite often and it's MUCH easier to have an AT when driving there!

[AJ_TEXAS]

I'am just so torn by it that it drives me crazy. The car is beautiful and one of a kind. I like the CVT when I am cruising along but i found if you hold the gas half way down it responds better then when you hold it all the way down. Anyone else getting the same feel like that??? I wish I bought a 6 speed!!!!! A/C

[boystar22]

I love my CVT, I was a bit skeptical at first, being not having the option of a geared automatic. I absolutely hate manuals, and refuse to ever own one. I know how to drive them and understand how they work, but it is way more work and frustration than I need to deal with (granted that is all personal preference). The main reason why I love the CVT is the fact that the engine never has to work hard. It has plenty of go if I need it, but for most of my daily commuting around town I'm averaging close to 30mpg in mixed city/hwy with a descent amount of Atlanta traffic. I came from an Audi A4 Quattro that averaged 19mpg with a 5-speed auto, and the non-quattro's came with CVT (that had a horrible reputation for longevity); so my over-all opinion might change based on how well these hold up over time, but initial thoughts are positive for me.

[dldjros69]

I dont understand why people dont like MT's in traffic. If you drive it every day, shouldnt shifting be effortless at that point??

I totally agree. Ive only owned stick. I dont even realize it.

I love how everybody talks about having a 6mt, i hardly ever use 6th gear. i guess i do if im on the highway, but even so if you arent speeding 6th gear is pointless. Well atleast on 55mph.

[rjdmmfl1]

BLAKE, TYLER, BRIAN... please forgive me....

NOT ANOTHER F*CKING CVT THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't we just rehash the last one and add new comments.... its the same $hit...

i bought my CVt because i commute...

I would never buy a CVT, they suck...

The manual mode in CVT is nothing like a real manual...

i like my CVT...

i wanted a manual but didn't want to wait for one...

i bought a CVT, but hate the fact that it doesn't shift.... ... of course it doesn't shift... they told you that when you bought it... if you bought it anyway, that's on YOU!!!!

man, i'm not saying folks can't talk about it, but its just the same old recylced comments............ ... just rehash the old thread and be done with it already.... what's the next thread gonna be... A/C vs G35????

OK, end of rant, please continue now....

Oh yeah, and that wind up noise, as previously stated, is due to your crappy engine, not your crappy CVT transmission (please note the sarcasm in the term crappy)
Modified by rjdmmfl1 at 10:37 PM 12/29/2008

[unique2.5]

its all about the MT by far.. i'm one of the unfortunate people that couldnt wait(also could barely find) a 6spd.. and i hate it it makes me upset everytime i drive that its an automatic carwith that being said the manual mode is nice and for automatic the ctv is great

bottom line..its an altima coupe gotta love it regardless of the transmission

[windex]

I didn't have any complaints about the cvt until my transmission went out with almost no warning. Now i'll just say that t sucks.

[Sith LL_Coupe]

BLAKE, TYLER, BRIAN... please forgive me....

NOT ANOTHER F*CKING CVT THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't we just rehash the last one and add new comments.... its the same $hit...

i bought my CVt because i commute...

I would never buy a CVT, they suck...

The manual mode in CVT is nothing like a real manual...

i like my CVT...

i wanted a manual but didn't want to wait for one...

i bought a CVT, but hate the fact that it doesn't shift.... ... of course it doesn't shift... they told you that when you bought it... if you bought it anyway, that's on YOU!!!!

man, i'm not saying folks can't talk about it, but its just the same old recylced comments............ ... just rehash the old thread and be done with it already.... what's the next thread gonna be... A/C vs G35????

OK, end of rant, please continue now....

Oh yeah, and that wind up noise, as previously stated, is due to your crappy engine, not your crappy CVT transmission (please note the sarcasm in the term crappy)

Modified by rjdmmfl1 at 10:37 PM 12/29/2008

Rob,

I totally agree with you here, I wouldn't necessarily say it in those words, but I understand your frustrations. A lot of threads that have already been discussed are continuing to be re-made. The only reason obviously is that a lot of new members are joining (which is great for the NICO community) with 2009 A/Cs. But at the same time, it's definitely annoying for people who've been here more than the last 6 months to keep re-reading the same stuff over and over again. Let's try and read the FAQs and search for those old threads instead of making new ones. It's just pointless...

[rjdmmfl1]

I sometimes like giving the newbies a hard time..., I'm really not that upset at all but seriously, this is like a blow by blow rehash of the last CVT thread...

now what windex stated is a new one on me.... what I would like to see folks that have the CVT discuss problems they've had with it, i.e. decreased performance over time, CVT failing, etc. that is VERY USEFUL information, and is different from the "I wanted an MT but settled for a CVT" that we've heard over and over

WINDEX.... how did your transmission fail? When did it fail? You said it happened all of a sudden, was this while driving, just didn't work when you got up in the morning/ What happened?

[mikegtr06]

gosh doc he made a thread on it...... use the search lol.

[vonivo]

when i first drove the car i was like when is it going to shift it took me a little while to get used ro it (i was always anticipation the shift)as time goes by i like it more and more no shifting is unbelievably smooth and when i have a passenger in the car that hasent ridden with me in this car they always comment on how much they like it also. I am not making this a 6mt vs CVT because i didn't want a MT at all when i bought it but i also didn't know it had a CVT and or what that was anyways.

Bottom line I love my CVT transmission and am overall thrilled with it.

[unique2.5]

this is off topic but i decided to throw it onto this thread.i have 2.5s cvt and the past two days its randomly stalled out twice. i'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else? but basically i have to put it back into park and start the car again..its a weird symptom from a automatic car

[mcheddadi]

I love my CVT, I was a bit skeptical at first, being not having the option of a geared automatic. I absolutely hate manuals, and refuse to ever own one. I know how to drive them and understand how they work, but it is way more work and frustration than I need to deal with (granted that is all personal preference). The main reason why I love the CVT is the fact that the engine never has to work hard. It has plenty of go if I need it, but for most of my daily commuting around town I'm averaging close to 30mpg in mixed city/hwy with a descent amount of Atlanta traffic. I came from an Audi A4 Quattro that averaged 19mpg with a 5-speed auto, and the non-quattro's came with CVT (that had a horrible reputation for longevity); so my over-all opinion might change based on how well these hold up over time, but initial thoughts are positive for me.

Couldn't stop myself but this post has to be the best one of this thread hahahaha

[unique2.5]

i'm surprised at your gas mileage.. i drive primarily in the city i only get around 17mpg even when i drive economically i only get around 20 at best. that being said i do get good gas mileage when im on the highway(around 29ish)

[djnastie]

unique that actually happend to my 2.5 a couple times... the first time i was a lil concerned at first but then it started and drove fine sooo i wasnt complaining. i think its when u back out and u throw it into drive to quickly. it is a shock tho when it happens....

NOW okay ive been trying to stay out of this thread for a long time but now it looks like i gotta step in and clear some things up

ok im a 2.5 cvt owner and i have to say okay i wish i wouldve bought the MT.... but i wouldve had to wait even longer for my a/c. I bought my car in June of 07 so it was hard enough finding a coupe let alone finding one with a MT. I pretty much just bought whatever was available 2.5/ 3.5 CVT/MT. i really didnt care i just wanted one.

Manual Mode vs. Drive

I always drive in manual mode mostly because i have the nismo exhaust and it crackles in between gears if u let of the gas when u shift hehehe. The 2.5 definitly feels like a different car in manual mode compared to drive. i love it, although its not a stick it still makes the 2.5 fun and to a 2.5 owner thats all that matters. Although not gonna lie in just normal drive the car accelerates pretty good but i just believe its all about preference at the end of the day and not g's or 0-60 times, or gear ratios its all about fun.

NOW CAN WE PLEASE ALL GET ALONG?

[Rolling Estonian]

I haven't read all the posts in this thread so excuse me if I'm repeating.

1. CVT rules, efficient, fast, smooth, one word: It's the best, THE FUTURE (get used to it)

2. MT sucks, pain in the ***, dinosaur technology, way over rated

ps I'm way in the bag, flame on biotches.

pps I commute in heavy traffic, a lot, MT would drive me nuts

ppps (for full disclosure) I've never owned a MT car

[mcheddadi]

(for full disclosure) I've never owned a MT car

bring me the banhammer lol

[unique2.5]

i really disagree with your second statement saying mt sucks especially considering youve never owned a manual carnone the less thats your opinioni personally heavily prefer mt but understand that for people who are in heavy traffic and try to do things while driving(phone, eat..etc) that it may be a bother

[boystar22]

Couldn't stop myself but this post has to be the best one of this thread hahahaha

Hey, I've owned a manual before; and never again. I've driven several different ones before, and it takes away all the fun of driving for me. I don't care how much more control over the car it gives you it just isn't worth it. I wanted gas mileage and a car that just simply works.

I came from german for a reason. Every time you turn the key something else breaks, or is going to. I got tired of having to keep one ear on the radio and one on the engine. Granted now all I can hear are these lovely nissan interior rattles.

[mcheddadi]

Hey, I've owned a manual before; and never again. I've driven several different ones before, and it takes away all the fun of driving for me. I don't care how much more control over the car it gives you it just isn't worth it.

you serious?!

what car was it?

[boystar22]

you serious?!

what car was it?

When I was 14 my dad taught me how to drive his Pontiac Fiero (4-speed manual). One of the first cars I ever owned was an S10 pickup that was a manual (I believe thats what stuck a knife in it for me). When I bought my Scion tC years ago I test drove it in both a manual and automatic (looking back on that I hated the automatic too). I also test drove all three variations (AWD-Automatic, AWD-Manual, and FWD-CVT) when I bought the Audi (and the gas mileage is considerably worse in the AWD just because of the extra weight and resistance, but it is so worth it to stay sure-footed to the ground constantly). I've driven many of my friends cars (that are manuals) as well; and for my personal taste I absolutely hate driving with a clutch. I know everyone else on the planet thinks its hilarious that I disagree with "manuals are more fun" but we're each entitled to our own opinions.

[Zerep]

automatic have a video game feel to them that makes me like them more push one pedal the car slows down the push the other it goes fastersimple and geniusoh and about problems with the cvt i think that would be an great thread to start doc

[dangeris]

I didn't have the option of waiting for an 6MT. I wished I did though. I drive my AC in the manual mode and although I would rather be really shifting through the gears, this will do for now.

MT sucks, pain in the ***, dinosaur technology, way over rated

Yes it might be dinosaur technology, but it's a proven technology. An MT transmission can handle more torque than a CVT and that's a fact.

[mcheddadi]

When I was 14 my dad taught me how to drive his Pontiac Fiero (4-speed manual). One of the first cars I ever owned was an S10 pickup that was a manual (I believe thats what stuck a knife in it for me). When I bought my Scion tC years ago I test drove it in both a manual and automatic (looking back on that I hated the automatic too). I also test drove all three variations (AWD-Automatic, AWD-Manual, and FWD-CVT) when I bought the Audi (and the gas mileage is considerably worse in the AWD just because of the extra weight and resistance, but it is so worth it to stay sure-footed to the ground constantly). I've driven many of my friends cars (that are manuals) as well; and for my personal taste I absolutely hate driving with a clutch. I know everyone else on the planet thinks its hilarious that I disagree with "manuals are more fun" but we're each entitled to our own opinions.

damn! I understand better where your coming from now.