My hesitation to buy a Subaru Forester and Honda CRV has been their use of the CVT transmissions. I have read ad nauseam the pros and cons from individuals, but the following article told me more than I have read on the Subaru forum, including one poster who challenged my concern that the CVT's usually had to be replaced, not repaired. The following article supports my concerns: https://certifiedtransmissionrepair.com/cvt-transmissions-pros-cons/
To CVT or not CVT
navydoc-fmf
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According to Car and Driver Magazine: "Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Toyota all make their own CVTs. Nissan owns a controlling interest in JATCO, the firm that supplies 49 percent of the world’s gear-free transmissions to Chrysler, GM, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki."
www.caranddriver.com/features/how-cvt-transmissions-are-getting-their-groove-back-feature
Wanted a stick. Ended up with a CVT when I bought my Impreza in 2015. Was really skeptical. But after 45k I love it and would buy another tomorrow.
He wouldn't know if his pants were on fire. Subaru makes all their engines and transmission at their Oizumi Plant. From a 2012 Fuji Heavy Industries press release (pdf) marking the 30th anniversary of the plant:
Your reference link confirms Subaru manufacture their own CVT's and JATCO had manufactured Subaru's Conventional Automatic Transmissions :smile2:
"Subaru motor vehicles have used manual, conventional automatic, and continuously variable (CVT) transmissions. Subaru manufactures its own manual and CVT transmissions (for non-Kei cars). Since the 1970s, all Subaru conventional automatic transmissions have been Jatco designs adapted to Subaru specifications. Since the 2014 model year, the conventional automatic transmissions in North American-spec Subaru vehicles have been replaced with Lineartronic CVTs (with some exceptions such as Outbacks with the 3.6 liter engine)."
Attachments
Our '15 FXT Touring has 65k miles. I did have a warranty repair for a leaking transmission main seal at 60k miles. Other than that, no issues. I've towed a 2000# trailer for 14 hour road trips and have been known to be heavy on the throttle from time to time.
The CVT didn't arrive in the Forester until 2013 US MY2014, maybe a typo with 2003 :smile2:
@securityguy - This post has been removed by the forum staff, with a strong request that you tone down the rhetoric. Disagree without being disagreeable!
The article in the OP mentions three to five thousand replacement cost. That sounds like a bargain compared to the costs I see listed for a lot of the DSG transmissions.
I have two options with all car salespersons; Either I want to buy their vehicle, or I don't. I know more about some vehicles than the sales person. Just visited a Honda dealer and met by a 'sales manager' of 35 years. I was test driving a Honda Civic Si, when I asked him about the HFP (Honda Factory Performance) package, he admitted he didn't know anything about it. Duh. I do my research, test drive, and then decide what to buy, based upon how the 'deal' I am offered by the sales team. Case in point, when I researched the Honda Si, I read good reviews and watched videos of good and bad points. When I drove the car, I changed my mind. It didn't have many of the current safety features, navigation, appeared cheaply made, seats were uncomfortable, and it was difficult to enter the back seat. While the car was moderately fast, it also appeared to be struggling when at full throttle. I changed my mind, even when the salesman offered me a $2K discount (I'm sure they still made a good profit). I consider ALL factors when buying a new vehicle. There is a chance you will get a 'lemon', the more you know, the better chance you have at getting a reliable, safe, and pleasure to drive vehicle. BTW, what is the meaning of your 'OP'? Just curious.
The cost for the Subaru CVT replacement is around $9,500. Mine blew twice at 19K and 23K miles. Both times the bill showed total cost of around $9,500 with parts and labor. Luckily it was under warranty so my total cost was $0.
So, with the greatest respect to our forum staff, I would like to respond to your above removal of my post in this way:
1. You are correct in that I could have phrased my response in a different way so I do not disagree with that component
2. My post could have been simply removed with a PM to my attention so that I wasn't chastised in public on this forum so, for that, I believe that I am due an apology
3. I have been a very valuable member of this forum for quite sometime and have helped many buy both their vehicles and their warranties, helped many resolve vehicle issues, provided great insight into numerous topics represented here and have also made some great friends along the way
4. When a forum member posts something this is "incorrect" I will challenge them in a professional manner, as I have previously done
5. When they challenge me back reiterating incorrect and inaccurate information and fail to admit they were wrong...that is where I have a problem and I respond
Again, could I have responded differently? Absolutely. Was this rhetoric and being disagreeable? Sorry, but I do not feel that it was based on the communication that was taking place as I try to maintain a high level of integrity related to the info presented on this forum. I hope you appreciate and understand my response and I will certainly take your advice in the future and rethink my replies before replying.
Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion based on the bright red posting above:smile2:
Now...back to discussing CVT's...................
I too have found that to be true in too many cases. If I am selling something or just recommending something to someone, I try to be as educated as possible so the conversation is based on research, not just a personal opinion.
From Consumer Reports: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/acura/rdx/2019/overview
My personal opinion: I wouldn't have a CVT in any car I own. Period. The technology is being rushed to market because of the pressure of the unrealistic MPG standards set forth by the EPA ...enacted by the last individual who occupied the Oval Office. But let's not get into politics here ...
The CVT is, quite frankly, a crappy transmission. It is severely limited in the amount of torque and horsepower it can tolerate and as such is found on the lower end of engine displacements; you will never find a high performance vehicle with a CVT nor will you find full-size trucks and SUV's with one. On a snowmobile or a mini-bike they're the bomb. In a motor vehicle? They suck. This is my opinion. If I wanted a Subie without a CVT then i would search out the used market.
What you have to decide is whether a CVT is a "no go" item on a vehicle selection. It sounds like you've sort of made up you mind. So your choices are to search out Subie models built prior to the CVT rage ...which means going with a manual tranny (very difficult to find ...but not impossible) or settle for the antediluvian 4EAT automatic. While the 4EAT is a fairly reliable tranny it leaves much to be desired in the fun department ...but I'd take one any day over a CVT. And, in fact, it's what I have in my 2011 Fozzie 2.5X Premier.
I dunno.... CVTs have been in mainstream service for around 15 years now... I don’t think I’d classify that as being rushed into service.
Yes, like everything else, they have their niche. No, you won’t find one in a 1000 HP vehicle, but for the vehicles they’re installed into, they are a suitable selection. Of course, not everyone likes them, and that’s ok.
Manuals, like it or not (and yes, I have a 6-speed Manual in my BMW M-235) are eventually going to disappear completely. Eventually, so will the internal combustion engine... probably sooner than we can imagine...
Yes, like everything else, they have their niche. No, you won’t find one in a 1000 HP vehicle, but for the vehicles they’re installed into, they are a suitable selection. Of course, not everyone likes them, and that’s ok.
Manuals, like it or not (and yes, I have a 6-speed Manual in my BMW M-235) are eventually going to disappear completely. Eventually, so will the internal combustion engine... probably sooner than we can imagine...
I agree that the EPA's overly aggressive CAFE standards are driving car makers to unpleasantries such as CVT and Auto Stop/Start. I, too, had misgivings about owning a CVT vehicle. However, after driving a CVT now for 8,500 miles I've grown to like it. Although I do miss some aspects of the 4AT on my 2010 Forester, my wallet really likes the 30% increase in fuel economy that I'm seeing on my 2018.
Again..no basis for these statements except your opinion..which of course is allowed.
Fun to drive? You are driving an SUV for God's sake..having said that though...My '69 4 speed V-8 Camaro got about amout half the gas mileage. And my XT would blow the doors off it..hands down.
As @FelineFreddie stated above...the CVT is NOT new technology...I believe that if you do a bit of research, it is actually quite old technology and predates the standard automatic transmissions we know of today. This has not been rushed to market at all and Subaru is known to manufacture one of the best CVT's in the market.
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