Previous Entry | Next Entry

Interesting.

  • May. 9th, 2008 at 7:19 PM
VROOOM

The Altima 3.5 SE has been catching my eye on the road lately, and now I see it's available with a CVT. And getting decent reviews largely because of the CVT. Otherwise it's just another overweight FWD coupe.

Now someone just needs to come out with a light RWD CVT. Looks like the Dodge Caliber R/T can be had with CVT and AWD, which would be an acceptable combination, but still a Dodge.

Comments

( Leave a comment )
[info]phanatic wrote:
May. 10th, 2008 02:22 am (UTC)
Problem with CVTs is that they're still reactionary, like automatics are. You can't use them anticipatorily.
| Reply | Thread
[info]ernunnos wrote:
May. 10th, 2008 02:28 am (UTC)
Actually, you can. The Altima's got a virtual downshift. Pretty slick.
| Reply | Parent | Thread
[info]phanatic wrote:
May. 10th, 2008 02:31 am (UTC)
I'm not convinced. I've driven CVTs that had some pseudo-manual capability, and they have really crappy shift bands.
| Reply | Parent | Thread
[info]ernunnos wrote:
May. 10th, 2008 02:33 am (UTC)
Eh, fixing that's just a firmware update away. My main concern is whether or not it'll hold up under the power. Heard some bad things about Ford CVTs. If they can make 'em reliable enough, it's only a matter of time until someone gets it tuned right.
| Reply | Parent | Thread
[info]foobiwan wrote:
May. 10th, 2008 05:05 am (UTC)
It won't disconnect the driving wheels when doing that.

Result? You're at a track day. Nice fat power spike at the driven (front) wheels just as the braking wheels (oops, front wheels again) are at max traction.

Enjoy the Armco!
| Reply | Parent | Thread
[info]lds wrote:
May. 10th, 2008 04:24 am (UTC)
I played with the paddle-shifters on the bigger Nissans when my girl bought her Versa, and they were neat as geeky gadgetry. The Versa didn't have the paddle shifters; it just "downshifts" very fast when you put a little foot in it. This works fine for all real-world driving: even though it's got a few horsies fewer than the Kia we traded for it, it still does better on the uphills and away from red lights because it's immediately at the peak of the torque curve instead of having to build up to it. This car has made me think I might, in fact, consider a CVT motorcycle someday. I've been convinced.
| Reply | Parent | Thread
[info]lds wrote:
May. 10th, 2008 04:27 am (UTC)
We looked at the Caliber. I didn't drive it, but I understand it's the same type of CVT that Nissan's using. The AWD was compelling, but the better mileage of the lighter vehicle (and roomier back seat) won out. I recommend the CVT, though.
| Reply | Thread
[info]strlen wrote:
May. 11th, 2008 12:15 am (UTC)
Nissan GTR
Nissan GTR is going to be coming with what seems to be a CVT transmission.

I do like my 6-speed manual G35 cou-pay but it's certainly not light weight. BMW 135i would be the lighter- RWD option to take now, but so far the choices (I think) on it are manual trans or (fairly robust, but still) a slushbox.
| Reply | Thread
( Leave a comment )