the versa CVT engine: worth it?

[aj83]

i'm looking at an 09 versa and i wonder if the CVT transmission is worth going for. i was reading some of your experiences and it seems that there could be more problems than if i just went with a regular automatic. thoughts?

[clarksville_07altima]

Originally Posted by aj83

i'm looking at an 09 versa and i wonder if the CVT transmission is worth going for. i was reading some of your experiences and it seems that there could be more problems than if i just went with a regular automatic. thoughts?

I've had no problem with my CVT and love it. If you're looking to fix it up or street racing, etc, then I wouldn't recommend it. But if you're looking for just a daily driver type vehicle, then I would recommend it. Some people on here, might tell you different though.

[porschebk85]

Overall it's a good transmission.. It's very different in that it's 100% smooth and their is no shifting, but I'm sure it will hold up.

[Tom]

You should get it. It's pretty fast because you don't get a drop in RPM unlike conventional auto trannsmission. When you punch the accelerator on a CVT equipped Versa, Sentra, or Altima, the RPM will rise to where the engine makes the most power, let’s say 5,000 RPM, and it stays there while the vehicle accelerates. Some people are put off by CVTs because it almost feels as if there’s something wrong with the car. Kind of like the transmission is slipping, even though everything is fine. After a couple of runs around the block, that initial feeling disappears.

[4DRZ]

Stupid question. Seems that you already have an opinion.

Originally Posted by aj83

i'm looking at an 09 versa and i wonder if the CVT transmission is worth going for. i was reading some of your experiences and it seems that there could be more problems than if i just went with a regular automatic. thoughts?

[m_turner_02]

Originally Posted by 4DRZ

Stupid question. Seems that you already have an opinion.

come on....there is no such thing as a stupid question. you sound like some of my students

I got to drive an 08 max w/ cvt and I liked it. it was very responsive to throttle input from a roll for above listed reasons. I think I would prefer it over my 5at.....

[Tom]

If he's worried about the CVT transmission, I think he should hear both sides to it. What got me hooked was the idea that the CVT provides more useable power, better fuel economy, and a smoother driving experience than a traditional automatic.

Advantages:

"Engines do not develop constant power at all speeds; they have specific speeds where torque (pulling power), horsepower (speed power) or fuel efficiency are at their highest levels. Because there are no gears to tie a given road speed directly to a given engine speed, the CVT can vary the engine speed as needed to access maximum power as well as maximum fuel efficiency. This allows the CVT to provide quicker acceleration than a conventional automatic or manual transmission while delivering superior fuel economy."

Courtesy of the wonderful world of NissanClub review, compilation.

Disadvantages:

"The CVT's biggest problem has been user acceptance. Because the CVT allows the engine to rev at any speed, the noises coming from under the hood sound odd to ears accustomed to conventional manual and automatic transmissions. The gradual changes in engine note sound like a sliding transmission or a slipping clutch -- signs of trouble with a conventional transmission, but perfectly normal for a CVT. Flooring an automatic car brings a lurch and a sudden burst of power, whereas CVTs provide a smooth, rapid increase to maximum power. To some drivers this makes the car feel slower, when in fact a CVT will generally out-accelerate an automatic.

Automakers have gone to great lengths to make the CVT feel more like a conventional transmission. Most CVTs are set up to creep forward when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake. This provides a similar feel to a conventional automatic, and serves as an indicator that the car is in gear. Other CVTs offer a "manual" mode that simulates manual gear changes.

Because early automotive CVTs were limited as to how much horsepower they could handle, there has been some concern about the long-term reliability of the CVT. Advanced technology has made the CVT much more robust. Nissan has more than a million CVTs in service around the world and uses them in powerful cars such as the 290 horsepower Maxima, and says their long-term reliability is comparable to conventional transmissions."


Still, in the right situation, CVT's advantages outweigh its disadvantages. Less complexity and fewer moving parts theoretically mean fewer things to go wrong and maintain.

[4DRZ]

Lol, Oh REALLY!? Re read below! lol Supid question.

Originally Posted by aj83

i'm looking at an 09 versa and i wonder if the CVT transmission is worth going for. i was reading some of your experiences and it seems that there could be more problems than if i just went with a regular automatic. thoughts?

Originally Posted by m_turner_02

come on....there is no such thing as a stupid question. you sound like some of my students

I got to drive an 08 max w/ cvt and I liked it. it was very responsive to throttle input from a roll for above listed reasons. I think I would prefer it over my 5at.....

[aj83]

thanks relaying your experiences with the CVT for me, very helpful!

[Tom]

Don't get discouraged. There's always a first. CVT is not entirely new anyways. It has been used since the early 1990's and so far, has a pretty good track record. Another reason why you may not see that many problems with CVTs is that not a whole lot of car manufacturer will put them in their cars. So the numbers can be a little deceiving. Then again, Nissan's put millions of CVTs out. If there were big problems, we would know of them by now. Especially if problems arise on the more powerful Murano and Maximas. CVTs aren't perfect. You hear of a lot of regular auto tranny have breakdowns too. Hybrid cars generally tend to use a CVT transmission. I know Honda uses them for sure.

CVTs are equally efficient going up hills too. There is no "gear hunting," because the CVT cycles down to a so-called "gear" (for the sake of comparison to gears) ratio that's best for the driving conditions. Did I mention there's no gearbox in CVT tranny? A regular tranny shifts back and forth trying to find the right gear. With CVT, the car will go up a hill more smoothly. The freeway ramp that I go onto every morning is proof enough. It's literally a hill and my car (equipped with CVT transmission) accelerates very quickly. I find myself tapping on the brakes or let go the accerlator just so the car in front of me can pick up speed, LOL!!! The thrill.......