Nissan's CVT, would you buy it?

[vlado11]

Hi guys I've been cosidering an '07 altima or maxima mainly because of the fabulous ka35de motor, but I'm not so sure about thir new CVT (alima also comes in 6-spd manual). I've driven quite a few CVT Nissans and absolutely loved the CVT, but my main concearn is its long time durability, being so new. They've had it on their Muranos since '03, and I've heard of quite a few CVT failures on the early models. The main culprit seeme to be electrical problems and failed chains.
How do you feel about it, and would you buy an CVT Nissan?
Thx.

 

[Brogy]

I'd buy a manual before one, but if it were a choice of an auto or CVT i'd get the CVT.

Get it, don't think about it and just enjoy the power and economy over an auto. Worst case scenario, it fails, and you pay to get it fixed.

 

[gedcruise]

CVTs have been around for more than forty years now. I'm guessing that nobody else here has a 1966 World Car Catalog, so I'm hoping someone will call me on my post.
In any event, a CVT should be at least as reliable as a conventional automatic. The three pedal car is always the better choice, to me. If you really need an automatic, I think the CVT should be at least as good as any conventional autobox.

 

[Brogy]

Quote:

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CVTs have been around for more than forty years now. I'm guessing that nobody else here has a 1966 World Car Catalog, so I'm hoping someone will call me on my post.

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That's true, but then again so have automatics, and they're still not as reliable as a manual.

I remember the subaru justy had the CVT, that car was around in the early 90's I think, and the system was very unreliable. Just from around 10 years ago is when they've started to improve.

 

[oily boyd]

Quote:

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would you buy an CVT Nissan?

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I would. That CVT + V6 is one sweet combination, I rented a Maxima for a week and hated to give it back.

Did you drive the Altima V6 +manual? Just curious how they are; I may be looking at the Altima when I'm done with my Camry.

Maybe they'd cut you a deal on an extended warranty if you express your concern

 

[rpn453]

With no long-term data available on Nissan CVTs, the CVT in the Murano is the best early indication we have. If you don't think those have been reliable so far, I wouldn't touch them.

 

[kcryan]

#@$%!, no....


but actually thats because iam #@$%! at nissan for doing away with the maximas 6 speed.

I'm sure they will be alright, and the engine (its a VQ35DE) is a work of art, but if it were me, id go with the altima 6 speed, or a used maxima (low miles) 6 speed.


Best of luck

 

[vlado11]

I've never had any problems with any autos maintained or not. Manuals get syncro problems, clutch wear and all that, especialy in city driving where intend to use this car. The 6-speed in the '07 altima is also new and Nissan had many problems with the 6-speed in the early 350z, so I don't trust it either. I don't like todays manuals because they have too many gears

)and close ratios. First gear is soo short, it's basically useless (to me).

 

[BearZDefect]

I agree about 6-speed manuals having too many forward gears for a normal everyday car, I feel five is enough. You have to buy the four cylinder versions of some Japanese brand sedans to get the ol' 5-speed manual.

I also wonder about the 6+ speed automatics -- why so many? Doesn't the torque converter (mush factor) make up for some lack of in-between ratios? Just a few years back all the autos were 4-speed and manuals 5-speed. A few more years back and all the autos were 3-speed and manuals 4-speed.

Oops, off topic again... ya, in extended stop and go city driving a manual can get tiring. Unfortunately I have no idea how durable Nissan's CVTs are. My impression of late is that Nissan quality has steadily gone down in the 21st century. So has Toyota and Honda in the past ten years. Technology has continued to improve, but quality and durability have not.

As always, I could be wrong on any of the above.

 

[Shaman]

The first production vehicle was a Nissan March with a Subaru CVT transmission. Released in 93 if I remember correctly. So they’ve had them for going on 13 years now. A lot of vehicles on this side of the pond have CVTs. Can’t tell you about the reliability because I’m not rich enough to own one.

 

[KBFXDLI]

If it is a JATCO CVT yes...if not...NO

 

[vlado11]

Yeah, whatever happend to the good ol' bulltproof 3 spd autos and 4speed manuals? I guess newer emmision standards and gass prices killed 'em. I drove a Saturn Aura with 6sp auto and a new 6-auto camry... they never knew what geer they wanted tobe in, all they did was shift up and down. Than you have Mercedes's 7spd auto and Lexuss LS's new (and rediculous IMO) 8 speed autos. Unreal.

 

[vlado11]

KBFXDLI.. yes it a JATCO CVT code JE010E, steel belt, rated at 350hp/350lb/ft tq. I know they've been making cvts since '89 but this one (shared by the Murano, '07 Maxima, '07 Altima) is fairly new and unproven. BTW, the new v6 Altima is rated at 270hp/258tq.

 

[rpn453]

I'd prefer my Mazda3 had a 6-speed with the same first and last gears, for closer ratios and better selection when I need to get into the power band right away. You can always skip gears if you want! Of course, that engine (and the driver) really likes the 5000 to 7000 rpm range. With my Pathfinder, 5 is plenty. So I guess it just depends on the engine.

 

[fillitup]

What I heard about CVTs is when it breaks you just replace it with a new one no rebuilding.Even with 6 speed auto I can't begin to think how much that would cost to rebuild and I think there is no dipstick to even check transmission fluid thats progress.

 

[TeeDub]

The best CVT I've driven is the chain driven, Audi design in the Audi A6 and A4. I know of no reliability issues with that design and it't been out longer than the Maxima, in fact Audi was the first company to develop a CVT for high Hp motors.

TD

 

[Bamaro]

I would be wary of anything new from Nissan after buying a SE-R with the QR25DE engine in 02. Maybe in a year or two but not now. See how things shake out first.

 

[CBDFrontier06]

The CVT has shaken out very well for Nissan thus far, being the only transmission available in the Murano since 2003. I've driven a few Muranos over the years, and while the CVT is great for ultra-smooth operation, the lack of sensation is unnerving to me. I can't help but feel like I'm driving a car with serious transmission troubles, even though I know it's behaving like it's supposed to. Road & Track describes it as the "Motorboat Sensation", and that's pretty accurate from my experiences.

I don't know what the biggest CVT advantages are other than no shift-shock (which has yet to bother me), unless it's a gas mileage improver or if it is designed to outlast traditional automatics. Speaking for me...I can take them or leave them. It didn't perform up to my expectations during in-town driving, but surprised me with some unexpected thrust while passing at highway speeds. I guess everything's give and take. IMO, it doesn't make the most of what the VQ35 offers.

 

[Cutehumor]

i would avoid nissan, why risk the unknown? they won't fix anything under warranty if something breaks.

 

[CBDFrontier06]

I'm on my 4th Nissan..I assure you, they make warranty repairs unless the part that failed has been mofified or a modification somewhere else caused the failure.