What transmission will you buy on your CR-Z? - Page 2 - Honda CRZ Forum: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums

SeaDoc · 07-18-2010, 04:38 PM

Last stick I had was a 996 911, and it was perfect... Then I got a 335 ic BMW auto with paddles (just like the Cr-Z), so I'm opting for the auto trans... Based on what I have seen on you-tube it's zippy with auto on sport mode... (which is likely where I'll keep it, most of the time...)

AlexanderH · 07-20-2010, 11:09 AM

I'm very curious about the CR-Z CVT paddle shifter performance. If I commit to the car, I'm looking at it as a daily commuter and the benefits of good MPG. However, the car will also need to offer weekend fun. I've always owned manual trans cars, but autos now offer better MPG (and I need a left knee replacement). I've tested the Insight EX with the CVT with paddle shifter (simulated 7-speed). It was . . . interesting. Hopefully, the CR-Z will have a little more "punch."

cord77 · 07-20-2010, 11:29 AM

I've had a CVT Jazz (Fit) for 7 years now, and I've switched over to simulated 7 speed mode a total of 2 times I think. Once to try it, and once to test it was still working after forgetting it for 6.5 years. If the CR-Z is the same thing then I wonder who will actually use the 7 speed mode. The whole point of CVT is that it is constantly variable and without gear-steps, and I found shoe-horning fake gear ratios into it was just a gimmick (and something to put on the steering wheel).

I'm not dissing automatic mode, I was actually after another automatic this time around and only considered Manual because we only get the CR-Z in manual over here. Now I'm glad it forced me to try manual again, I've forgotten how good it is to feel in control again.

swat49833 · 09-04-2010, 08:42 PM

I chose the CVT (auto) due to the better milage and my wife can no longer do mannuals do to her knees have had surgery. But I will say I will miss the stick, and, I really wonder if the auto gets better milage.

JnC · 09-04-2010, 09:45 PM

I think the poll results suggest that Honda got the allocations mixed up and that if the car takes off there will be some crazy demand for the manual.

That said, if I drove more stop/go traffic and traffic jams, I would have considered the CVT. But my knees are still good and I prefer to roll my own.

Shatner · 09-05-2010, 09:44 PM

I test drove both. I'm coming from an '04 STi, '07 TL-S and '08 FJ Cruiser all with 6mt transmisions.

That said, I bought one yesterday with a CVT. My sister has a Civic Hybrid so I got to try the CVT out years ago. I told myself if I ever get a hybrid, it's gotta have the CVT.

I love it.

tsh · 09-06-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CR-Zen

manual, but it sucks it won't get as good of gas mileage as the CVT

Are you sure you have that the right way round? CVT is less efficient, unless you drive in the wrong gear all the time (or at least that was my understanding)

AlexanderH · 09-15-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shatner

I test drove both. I'm coming from an '04 STi, '07 TL-S and '08 FJ Cruiser all with 6mt transmisions.

That said, I bought one yesterday with a CVT. My sister has a Civic Hybrid so I got to try the CVT out years ago. I told myself if I ever get a hybrid, it's gotta have the CVT.

I love it.

What's been lacking here - detailed comments on the paddle shifter option on the CVT. I've driven manuals all my life (although I have a Civic auto in the household), but I'd like to hear how those who've had MT cars have adapted. I had a brief test drive with a CVT, but my salesman (and passenger) is - lets say - not a small person. I didn't have time to fully explore the CVT. It didn't thrill me. Since CVTs are more plentiful, get a little better MPG, and may ultimately cost less than an MT - I may reconsider. Any CVT owners want to comment?

Also, what's CR-Z acceleration like vs. 140hp Civic - both MT and Auto?

dougal · 09-23-2010, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexanderH

What's been lacking here - detailed comments on the paddle shifter option on the CVT. I've driven manuals all my life (although I have a Civic auto in the household), but I'd like to hear how those who've had MT cars have adapted. I had a brief test drive with a CVT, but my salesman (and passenger) is - lets say - not a small person. I didn't have time to fully explore the CVT. It didn't thrill me. Since CVTs are more plentiful, get a little better MPG, and may ultimately cost less than an MT - I may reconsider. Any CVT owners want to comment?

Also, what's CR-Z acceleration like vs. 140hp Civic - both MT and Auto?

Just got my CVT EX w) navi last night. Can't comment on paddle shifters or the manual transmission performance. As for the shifters on the auto, I presume I'll use them about as little as I used "sport mode shifting" in my last car, an automatic 2002 Mazda Protege5... used sport shift for the novelty off and on for maybe a week, and didn't touch it thereafter! However, I'm your exact opposite-- never drove a stick in my life, and don't see myself ever doing so. Probably 80% or more of my driving takes place during Baltimore suburbs' horrible rush hour commute periods, which makes more than half my ~15-mile commute stop-and-go of various levels of pain and annoyance.

I am auto, and it is me!

As for the cost, the CVT model is a little higher than the manual ($650 MSRP difference, at least on the EX model). The stated 3mpg difference in listed average fuel economy - favoring the CVT model - is an offset to the cost difference over time, so I think it's just a matter of preference in terms of personal choice of transmission type. By the way, I have to say that the sport mode offers a much stronger speed boost than I had expected. On the way home last night a big SUV did a leftmost turn lane to rightmost turn lane (occupied by us an our brand new CR-Z!) moron maneuver in front of us to get the right turn to the expressway eastbound. Annoyed, I kicked the car into sport mode after taking the eastbound exit, and went around them in a rapid burst of speed.

Friggin oblivious "my vehicle is bigger so I can do what I want" drivers!!!

Transmission type - to each their own!

AlexanderH · 09-23-2010, 09:53 AM

Dougal,

Congratulations on your new CR-Z!

I'm not yet an owner, but I'm looking at late October or early November when my current lease ends. I'm lucky, my commute is about 15 miles (mostly highway) with moderate traffic. My ride home (almost always after rush) affords me the opportunity to take back roads. It's tough for me to move away from the manual. I'm certain that the 6-speed will have that extra kick that the CVT lacks. Unfortunately, sports (and now age!) have ruined my knees - so I should consider the CVT.

View Poll Results: What transmission will you pick for your CR-Z?
CVT automatic transmission	50	30.49%
6 speed manual transmission	114	69.51%
Voters: 164. You may not vote on this poll

07-20-2010, 11:09 AM	#12 (permalink)
AlexanderH Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lost in Connecticut Posts: 23	Curious about CVT Paddle Shifter Performance I'm very curious about the CR-Z CVT paddle shifter performance. If I commit to the car, I'm looking at it as a daily commuter and the benefits of good MPG. However, the car will also need to offer weekend fun. I've always owned manual trans cars, but autos now offer better MPG (and I need a left knee replacement). I've tested the Insight EX with the CVT with paddle shifter (simulated 7-speed). It was . . . interesting. Hopefully, the CR-Z will have a little more "punch."

09-04-2010, 09:45 PM	#15 (permalink)
JnC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 530	I think the poll results suggest that Honda got the allocations mixed up and that if the car takes off there will be some crazy demand for the manual. That said, if I drove more stop/go traffic and traffic jams, I would have considered the CVT. But my knees are still good and I prefer to roll my own. __________________ 2011 CR-Z EX, MT, no-navi, white "Why are you chasing down the traffic light? It's not moving... I suspect you can creep up on it instead."

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07-18-2010, 04:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
SeaDoc Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 5	Last stick I had was a 996 911, and it was perfect... Then I got a 335 ic BMW auto with paddles (just like the Cr-Z), so I'm opting for the auto trans... Based on what I have seen on you-tube it's zippy with auto on sport mode... (which is likely where I'll keep it, most of the time...)

07-20-2010, 11:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
cord77 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 163	I've had a CVT Jazz (Fit) for 7 years now, and I've switched over to simulated 7 speed mode a total of 2 times I think. Once to try it, and once to test it was still working after forgetting it for 6.5 years. If the CR-Z is the same thing then I wonder who will actually use the 7 speed mode. The whole point of CVT is that it is constantly variable and without gear-steps, and I found shoe-horning fake gear ratios into it was just a gimmick (and something to put on the steering wheel). I'm not dissing automatic mode, I was actually after another automatic this time around and only considered Manual because we only get the CR-Z in manual over here. Now I'm glad it forced me to try manual again, I've forgotten how good it is to feel in control again.

09-04-2010, 08:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
swat49833 Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 122	I chose the CVT (auto) due to the better milage and my wife can no longer do mannuals do to her knees have had surgery. But I will say I will miss the stick, and, I really wonder if the auto gets better milage.

09-05-2010, 09:44 PM	#16 (permalink)
Shatner Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 1,287	I test drove both. I'm coming from an '04 STi, '07 TL-S and '08 FJ Cruiser all with 6mt transmisions. That said, I bought one yesterday with a CVT. My sister has a Civic Hybrid so I got to try the CVT out years ago. I told myself if I ever get a hybrid, it's gotta have the CVT. I love it.

09-23-2010, 09:53 AM	#20 (permalink)
AlexanderH Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lost in Connecticut Posts: 23	Dougal, Congratulations on your new CR-Z! I'm not yet an owner, but I'm looking at late October or early November when my current lease ends. I'm lucky, my commute is about 15 miles (mostly highway) with moderate traffic. My ride home (almost always after rush) affords me the opportunity to take back roads. It's tough for me to move away from the manual. I'm certain that the 6-speed will have that extra kick that the CVT lacks. Unfortunately, sports (and now age!) have ruined my knees - so I should consider the CVT.