CVT or 6-Speed?: Questions from a Prospective Owner

[jwaters943]

So, after narrowing down my next new car purchase to a half dozen finalists, I am all but certain I will be getting a CR-Z within the next 6 months (lets hope the 2013 improvements make it to the U.S.).

Just a bit of back story on me: I've exclusively owned cars with automatic transmissions since I got my license nearly 20 years ago. Only recently have I begun driving my boyfriend's car which has a stick. Much to my surprise, I found the experience to be rather enjoyable once I got over my fear and nervousness. I still have a lot to learn, and every once in a great while I will stall the car in 1st gear, but overall I'm fairly comfortable behind the wheel of a manual transmission equipped car, which is not something I could rightfully claim even a month ago.

With that said, I am concerned about buying a new car w/ a manual and "abusing" it due to my relative inexperience with manuals. I had initially considered the CVT, but all the reviews seem to be in agreement in stating that it really saps all the fun out of the CR-Z. Is the CR-Z's manual very "forgiving" (e.g. easy to operate) for novice stick drivers like myself? Would you say the 6-speed CR-Z is appreciably quicker/more exciting to drive than it's CVT counterpart, or are most reviewers making a mountain out of a molehill?

Thanks in advance for any feedback and helping the "new guy" make a tough decision.

[ITEM9]

Why ask us? Go test drive one! You can't go wrong with either.

[jwaters943]

My dealer doesn't have any manuals in stock for one, and for another, I'm still a bit too green to trust myself behind the wheel of a manual transmission equipped car I'm unfamiliar with.

[ShazzNADES]

Yes go test drive both. That's what I did and fell in love with the 6MT. It is the easiest manual car I've ever driven. When left in normal or econ the throttle isn't sensitive and makes driving a breeze. You will be comfortable in no time. Another thing if you're still a little nervous is it has hill assist, so you don't roll back on hills for a couple seconds.

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[ITEM9]

Plus if you stall, no one can hear you restart the engine...

It's actually the perfect car to learn manual!

[ShazzNADES]

I've had a couple people laugh at me thinking I stalled when auto stop came on.

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[JnC]

The additional torque from the electric motor at low revs makes the CRZ less likely to stall compared to a non-hybrid. And the 2013 6MT should have more low rpm torque than the CVT.

[Jayemtee]

Sticks can be fun and they can be a pain when it's your only option. I think maybe you should consider when and where you will driving the car the most. Where do you live, how is the drive, how is the traffic, etc. If your commute is 2 stop signs then a freeway for 12 miles, then 2 red lights and park, that's not a shifters dream. If you have 20 minutes of stop and go traffic, that's not fun. OTOH, if you have 10 miles of north Georgia mountain back roads getting to work, Yeah Baby.

I have a CVT and feel that I have the best of both worlds. When I want to be sporty, I go to sport mode and shift with paddle shifters. In boring drives when I'm on cruise control, I take advantage of the excellent fuel economy. When I'm stuck in traffic, I can worry about things other than holding the clutch down. The CVT is actually kinda nice to enjoy the smoothness or play with the paddles in any mode.

You won't hurt a stick and you wont short yourself with a CVT.

[CR-Z Canadian]

Originally Posted by Jayemtee

....

You won't hurt a stick and you wont short yourself with a CVT.

Very well said!

Try a CVT, and get a good feel for the car. It is not nearly as "un-driveable" as reviews suggest. I love mine
If you can find one with a manual, even used, to test drive, then you will know for sure.

Hope you find the one you want.

[supercrz]

There's lots to consider when choosing your vehicle's transmission. You just have to weigh the pro's and con's like anything else. Like most people's suggestion, take the test drives and it will help you decide.

Like anything else, you will learn how to drive stick and eventually and maybe sooner, it will be second nature.

I opted for the 6MT because I used to have a 240sx 5speed MT and loved it. After that car, I just got automatics and it didn't feel the same. So I told myself, my next car will be manual. Once I got my CRZ it only took me a minute to get used to driving stick again.

My reasons for getting stick:

1. Cheaper
2. I have more control with my driving
3. It's fun!
4. The likelyhood of others borrowing my car will be less. Although everybody in my family knows how to drive stick, but some of my friends don't.
5. I can make fun of people who does not know how to drive stick.

Hopefully you find some answers here and wish you the best!

Good luck!