Why are so many people against CVT?
-
nissangirl74
- Moderator
- Posts: 13910
- Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 1:15 pm
- Car: 2014 Xterra Pro4X, '12 Titan 4x4, '98 240sx, '89 Pao, '77 620, '72 240Z w/RB25, '68 510, '67 WRL411, '67.5 SPL 311, '63 Bluebird, '63 NL320
Re: Why are so many people against CVT?
Many people have had bad experiences with reliability and performance. Here's a link to several threads with helpful information. search.php?keywords=CVT&terms=all&autho ... mit=Search
As the former owner of a CVT car, a 2009 Cube, I was NOT a fan. It seems to be worse when paired with the lower displacement motors (1.6, 1.8, 2.0) but I still think it is awful in the higher ones as well (3.5). I wouldn't own another one. Some of the polite terms I have heard and used to describe them: "Numb. Gutless. No power (especially with the smaller engines). Weird. Awful. No feedback."
Nissan had a TON of problems with them upon first release: overheating, failing, catastrophic failures. They initiated a widespread warranty to cover all expenses associated with them in the earlier model years. nissan-gives-10-year-cvt-warranty-to-al ... 59873.html Other car companies use them but Nissan seemed to have more trouble than most.
I would tell you to steer clear of them but that pretty much eliminates all of Nissan's current lineup, unfortunately. Nissan claims that the bugs have been worked out and that the newer vehicles don't suffer the same problems as the early models. I would suggest that before buying one, you either take one on the longest test drive the dealer will allow or rent one for the weekend and see for yourself. Some people love them, some don't care, and others wouldn't take one as a gift. It really depends on your personal driving style and what you want out of your car.
As the former owner of a CVT car, a 2009 Cube, I was NOT a fan. It seems to be worse when paired with the lower displacement motors (1.6, 1.8, 2.0) but I still think it is awful in the higher ones as well (3.5). I wouldn't own another one. Some of the polite terms I have heard and used to describe them: "Numb. Gutless. No power (especially with the smaller engines). Weird. Awful. No feedback."
Nissan had a TON of problems with them upon first release: overheating, failing, catastrophic failures. They initiated a widespread warranty to cover all expenses associated with them in the earlier model years. nissan-gives-10-year-cvt-warranty-to-al ... 59873.html Other car companies use them but Nissan seemed to have more trouble than most.
I would tell you to steer clear of them but that pretty much eliminates all of Nissan's current lineup, unfortunately. Nissan claims that the bugs have been worked out and that the newer vehicles don't suffer the same problems as the early models. I would suggest that before buying one, you either take one on the longest test drive the dealer will allow or rent one for the weekend and see for yourself. Some people love them, some don't care, and others wouldn't take one as a gift. It really depends on your personal driving style and what you want out of your car.
-
NutriaforBreakfast
- Posts: 1316
- Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:41 pm
- Car: Nissan Maxima 1995 VQDE engine
Re: Why are so many people against CVT?
If I owned one right now I would put an external transmission cooler on the car
my wife drove a 2014 max this weekend
she knows little about cars but mentioned it was "funny" how the car "kicked in"
(versus her 1998)
Too many "yes" people at Nissan about this and they just won't shoot that CVT white elephant
my wife drove a 2014 max this weekend
she knows little about cars but mentioned it was "funny" how the car "kicked in"
(versus her 1998)
Too many "yes" people at Nissan about this and they just won't shoot that CVT white elephant
Re: Why are so many people against CVT?
Thanks. Seems like this is a big issue. Just read a review regarding the 2016 Maxima and they indicated it was not a big issue. Will need to test drive one soon.
-
vonscorpio
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:16 pm
- Car: Current:
15 Infiniti Q50 S
91 Infiniti M30
Past:
16 Infiniti QX50
11 Infiniti G25x RIP
97 Infiniti I30 RIP
01 Infiniti QX4
11 Infiniti G37 Sedan
07 Nissan Maxima - Location: WA, USA
Re: Why are so many people against CVT?
My 07 Maxima had a CVT and honestly I didn't have any complaints about it or the performance. I really like how smoothly it shifted. To put this into perspective, I traded out of a four cylinder American brand car (which I am ashamed to name here), so anything seemed more powerful, well built, engineered, etc. by comparison.
Then one day I get the "voluntary" notice of CVT warranty extension from Nissan and I knew the writing was on the wall. I had 60k miles on the clock and didn't want to wait around to have my favorite car die due to transmission failure, so I traded it in on the 2011 G37 and learned what real power was!
It took a bit to get used to the feeling of a car shifting gears again, and my fuel economy dropped more than I would have thought the 0.2 liter difference in the engine would cause alone.
To be fair, this might be due to my driving habits with the new 328 hp in the G.
Honestly, I would consider buying a new(er) Nissan with a CVT, but I don't think I would keep it after it reached 100k miles.
Then one day I get the "voluntary" notice of CVT warranty extension from Nissan and I knew the writing was on the wall. I had 60k miles on the clock and didn't want to wait around to have my favorite car die due to transmission failure, so I traded it in on the 2011 G37 and learned what real power was!
It took a bit to get used to the feeling of a car shifting gears again, and my fuel economy dropped more than I would have thought the 0.2 liter difference in the engine would cause alone.
To be fair, this might be due to my driving habits with the new 328 hp in the G.
Honestly, I would consider buying a new(er) Nissan with a CVT, but I don't think I would keep it after it reached 100k miles.