Autos with CVT transmissions ...

Joe, I too am looking for a new car, and all over the place trying to decide what. Since it probably will be the last car I ever buy, I do want something that makes me happy. I also am having transmission problems with the vehicles I am looking at. I turn 68 in September and have never owned a car with an automatic. Now it is getting harder to find a manual, and am not sure if the paddle shifters can give the same level of control as a manual. Oh well. My current 2005 Mazda 3 is still working great, so this can wait a few more years.
 
BlueFox said:
Joe, I too am looking for a new car, and all over the place trying to decide what. Since it probably will be the last car I ever buy, I do want something that makes me happy. I also am having transmission problems with the vehicles I am looking at. I turn 68 in September and have never owned a car with an automatic. Now it is getting harder to find a manual, and am not sure if the paddle shifters can give the same level of control as a manual. Oh well. My current 2005 Mazda 3 is still working great, so this can wait a few more years.
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I've driven a '17 Mazda 3. If you like your '05 Mazda 3, you'll probably like the new one too. Solid car with very good ride and handling. Nice, positive and tactile on the road.

Only fly in the ointment for me is entry and exit, which require uncomfortable contortions for my old 6'4" rack of bones. Car is comfortable once in the seat though.

In this class, I prefer VW GTI. It fits my body better and is fun to drive with either 6-speed manual or DSG automatic.

Like you, I drove stick all my adult life. I've had to switch to automatic of late due to serious injury to my left leg, making clutching (permanently) painful. Both Mazda and VW automatics fine IMO.

Avoid any car with CVT. I'm saying, OK... try a Nissan, Honda or Subaru with CVT if you're curious, but from what you say, I predict you won't like it.

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Bud,

I understand and appreciate your thoughts. Both the Mazda CX3 and CX5 are on the list too. Of course I don't want to have a huge car payment every month but also want something fun to drive. I love the idea of a manual but I get into some situations where I find it difficult to smoothly take off, especially where the reality of the car rolling backwards is high. Being a little vertically challenged plus a little bit uncoordinated does not help. I have owned several manual transmission cars and had a love/hate relationship with them.

I drive at least 18K miles per year, sometimes more so a lease might be difficult unless I can split the miles with another vehicle. An SUV or wagon is more practical but a hatch like the GTI or Golf or CX3 might be good enough space-wise.
 
I have rented cars with CVTs and they seem to do the job. A little strange to see the engine stay right in the torque range and the transmission doing all the speed adjustment. I bought my wife a new 2017 Honda CRV with the 1.5 liter turbo and CRT. You push on the gas pedal and it seems to go down the road just fine. Again, the engine stays in it's torque range (which is pretty impressive for a 1.5 ltr!) and transmission changes your speed. It gets a solid 27-32mpg which is not bad for a small SUV.

I have owned many Honda but most of them manual transmissions. Never had any problem with them except for the one 2002 Accord which had an automatic. Terrible transmission! 50-70K miles an they are toast. Honda never really stood behind them well. I hope that problem does not repleat itself with the CRV!
 
I do like the CRV as well. The new ones have ample cargo space. I need to get in and out of some of these to see how comfortable they are.
 
joeinid said:
I do like the CRV as well. The new ones have ample cargo space. I need to get in and out of some of these to see how comfortable they are.
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I find the CRV is very comfortable. It is the car we take for any long trips.
 
Stoutblock said:
I have rented cars with CVTs and they seem to do the job. A little strange to see the engine stay right in the torque range and the transmission doing all the speed adjustment. I bought my wife a new 2017 Honda CRV with the 1.5 liter turbo and CRT. You push on the gas pedal and it seems to go down the road just fine. Again, the engine stays in it's torque range (which is pretty impressive for a 1.5 ltr!) and transmission changes your speed. It gets a solid 27-32mpg which is not bad for a small SUV.

I have owned many Honda but most of them manual transmissions. Never had any problem with them except for the one 2002 Accord which had an automatic. Terrible transmission! 50-70K miles an they are toast. Honda never really stood behind them well. I hope that problem does not repleat itself with the CRV!
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I don't doubt they "do the job." I just don't like how they feel; it's about the driving experience. It's a matter of preference.

Can't speak to Honda conventional automatics. Certainly no excuse in a modern car for such early transmission failure, though. Also no excuse for Honda not standing behind it.

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After doing a little research, I'm learning towards more of a wagon like the VW Sportwagen or even the Subaru Forrester. My main reason is my mom finds in nearly impossible now to climb into an SUV. She is 84 and I need something she can enter and exit easily.
 
joeinid said:
After doing a little research, I'm learning towards more of a wagon like the VW Sportwagen or even the Subaru Forrester. My main reason is my mom finds in nearly impossible now to climb into an SUV. She is 84 and I need something she can enter and exit easily.
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My wife has some mobility/flexibility issues, too. She sings the praises of the Subaru Outback - not too high, not too low, just right.

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A friend just bought a brand new Outback and it is nice, It does not get near the mileage the Honda gets.
 
bonejobber said:
I don't doubt they "do the job." I just don't like how they feel; it's about the driving experience. It's a matter of preference.

Can't speak to Honda conventional automatics. Certainly no excuse in a modern car for such early transmission failure, though. Also no excuse for Honda not standing behind it.

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Agree, it is not exciting to drive. Quiet, smooth, acceptable power and comfortable. I drive a highly modified 2013 Si for my excitement :)
 
I'm sure the Mazda CX-5 is higher than the Forrester but not the 3. I believe that the Mazda would ultimately be more reliable.

Jack said:
I would think the Subaru would be more reliable. Is the Mazda CX-5 higher off the ground that the Forrester?
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We are going to purchase a Mazda CX-5 Turbo Diesel when they arrive this winter here. Have already driven and love the gasoline version, and are looking forward to the increased torque down low and gas mileage of the diesel.
 
bonejobber said:
My wife has some mobility/flexibility issues, too. She sings the praises of the Subaru Outback - not too high, not too low, just right.

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So sorry to read about your wife. I understand. The Subarus are more chair like seating, especially in height. They seem very easy to get in and out compared to other vehicles.

Stoutblock said:
A friend just bought a brand new Outback and it is nice, It does not get near the mileage the Honda gets.
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My next door neighbor had an Outback, his second one and it's really nice. I've heard of some problems, but no car is immune. A coworker had a CRV and it had a bad heater core among other issues. But then again, other people I know with CRVs have wonderful reliability.
 
OMG, awesome. I love diesel vehicles. I've owned 2. A Dodge 3500 with Cummins turbo diesel and a VW Jetta TDI. Amazing vehicles.

So Mazda is definitely coming out with a diesel? I've heard rumors but if it's a reality, I might just wait.

soundqcar said:
We are going to purchase a Mazda CX-5 Turbo Diesel when they arrive this winter here. Have already driven and love the gasoline version, and are looking forward to the increased torque down low and gas mileage of the diesel.
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joeinid said:
OMG, awesome. I love diesel vehicles. I've owned 2. A Dodge 3500 with Cummins turbo diesel and a VW Jetta TDI. Amazing vehicles.

So Mazda is definitely coming out with a diesel? I've heard rumors but if it's a reality, I might just wait.
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Yup.....Oct/Nov launch. Looks like only the Grand Touring will have the TD option initially, with 6sp Auto Skyactiv only. Look for the option to run about $2800 xtra.
 
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