cvt vs 6spd

[Southernace76]

I was wondering how you guys felt about the transmissions. Mainly the CVT. I have enjoyed my automatic transmission in my current car. I loved the shifting in my si but got very tired of the constant rowing between stoplights. However, I have never enjoyed the feel of a cvt transmission. Does anyone here regret getting the automatic transmission? Or do you still consider the car just as much fun as the 6speed?

[TinTin]

Ive never owned an autotradgic car in my life. And i never drive them unless its a work truck, or rental van or something.

I will drive manual until my knees give way. It was just an obvious choice. Especially since now honda is phasing out manual on their new cars. (crosstour, CRV...odyssey (duh))

[smed55]

I had a 86 CRX and I loved the manual. Of course I was younger then and lived in Iowa. I was initially looking at getting the CRZ in a manual, but I now live in the Dallas area and the traffic sucks. Creeping along HWY75 and I635 with a manual sucks and tends to piss me off constantly having to downshift.

Now that I'm older I guess the manual's not that big a deal for me. I still rest my hand on the shifter, which is part of the experience, and it still has some nice get up and go in sport (actually I don't think the get up in normal is bad either). Also, I'll never have to replace the clucth!

Anyways, there is absolutely "nothing" wrong with the CVT. I love my CRZ, and you like what you like!!!

[Shatner]

Originally Posted by Southernace76

I was wondering how you guys felt about the transmissions. Mainly the CVT. I have enjoyed my automatic transmission in my current car. I loved the shifting in my si but got very tired of the constant rowing between stoplights. However, I have never enjoyed the feel of a cvt transmission. Does anyone here regret getting the automatic transmission? Or do you still consider the car just as much fun as the 6speed?

I came from the same place as you. For the past 10 years I'd been driving 5mt and 6mt transmissions. I just needed a break. I have Bursitis in my right shoulder that really flairs up when used a lot, which included shifting.

Do I miss a manual tranny? Sometimes. You must also take in to account that there's a little lag in the throttle right off the line. But I sure as hell don't miss sitting in traffic with a manual transmission.

Other than that, I like the CVT in this car. Honda did a very good job with it.

[wicked1]

The manual in the cr-z is amazingly forgiving. You dont have to row up and down the gears nearly as much as other cars I've driven.
This is from the official honda cr-z powertrain press info..

"Even with a six-speed gearbox and sporty shift action, it is not essential to continuously work the CR-Z's gearbox. The ample low-end torque of the engine and IMA system means in-gear flexibility is also impressive."

And I'd definitely agree.

(if you haven't read it already, everyone should..)
2011 Honda CR-Z: Powertrain - Honda.com

[sohcsol]

Originally Posted by wicked1

"Even with a six-speed gearbox and sporty shift action, it is not essential to continuously work the CR-Z's gearbox. The ample low-end torque of the engine and IMA system means in-gear flexibility is also impressive."

And I'd definitely agree.

(if you haven't read it already, everyone should..)
2011 Honda CR-Z: Powertrain - Honda.com

This is very true, and one thing that continues to impress me with this car. I have never known a 4 cyl. in a car with so much low end torque (besides my D16 turbo).

I drive a mix of highway and city, and how much you shift really just depends on how you feel like driving. When you feel like minimizing shifting, you can use the full range of revs all the way down to about 1000rpm and the car still accelerates smoothly.

When I first bought the car, I thought I might regret getting another MT for a daily driver, but I don't at all. It can be as relaxing as driving with a slushbox, or as sporty and fun as any 6MT car. You get the best of both worlds IMO, and my GF can't drive it

[Scotty001]

Always had MTs in the youth. Now auto/CVT for me is the way to go. Still fun with the low end torque without all the work. Has the rubber band effect of course.

Not sure about the MT's. Do they have the a Rubber band effect?

[TCroly]

There are many members here who seem to enjoy their CVT CRZs. And perhaps you would too.

For me, I test drove one and absolutely, positively hated the CVT. I have always owned manual transmission cars, but I can drive a well engineered automatic and not hate it, but the way the CVT winds up and drones along at a consistent rpm is just not for me.

I love the 6MT in my CRZ and is perhaps the part of driving the CRZ that I like most. The steering is a little bit numb, the handling is a little soft and the acceleration is a bit tepid, but the 6 MT transmission in this car is among the best out there. I wouldn't consider owning a CRZ without a manual transmission.

[sleighman]

I have mastered the CVT and the paddle shifter. You have to get used to it. The Sport Mode is what I drive in most of the time. I like how the CVT quick shifts up and down without hesitation. It will hold the gear when cornering and the car does not shut off as much. I think the car realizes the agressiveness of the driver and adapts. I also have owned mostly standard tranmission cars but I decided I wanted a break from rowing though the gears. Now its just a finger stroke. The CRZ is a fun car and with the wider wheels and tires that most are putting on it the car handles like a go cart.

[Jenny1]

SD(Sports Drive) mode you can tap the Paddles forward or backwards to move the car into a lower/higher gear and initiate Steptronic mode. In both paddles have same operation ...