My 2004 HCH was destroyed last month when a Ford Expedition hit me on the left side.

Here's the forum thread with gruesome pictures.

Anyway, I'm in the market for a new car. I really like the idea of getting another HCH. Last time I got a manual transmission, because I like driving manual, but I'm curious if anyone has done any serious comparisons about MPG of manual vs. CVT.

One more question: is the 2005 HCH much different from the 2004?

 

MTs generaly give better mileage. Just look at the mileage database. I don't know the answer to your second question.

 

You can get pretty darn good MPGs with a CVT but the manual is a hair better. The Manual is also a more proven technology. I worry that the CVTs will have some maintenance issues in the long run.

The Prius would be my choice in a CVT style tranny. The Toyota uses gears instead of the pulleys and belts Honda uses.

 

I like my HCH CVT, it is a smooth ride and I don't have to think about much except keeping the mileage as high as possible.

If you didn't read it here is a thread from XCEL:

https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...mile.2513.html

Granted he is one of the best hypermilers on the site so that probably means the rest of us will do well .

You should look around here and on the web and see what the '06 Civic *might* look like. You might want to wait for the new '06 body style and the better gas mileage and power, according to rumors.

Billy

 

If you have a choice, and you can drive an MT, my opinion: MT.

I have an MT HCH and a CVT FEH, and, though I've finally learned how to drive the CVT, I HATE it.

 

Wow! You hate it? I've got some worries about the CVT and prefer the MT myself but I don't hate the CVT. Why do you hate it? I think the CVT is pretty darn cool, I just prefer the control of a manual.

 

Well, I have the HCH CVT, and I really love it. It is one of the favorite features of my car. I have a friend how purchased an HCH MT recently, and having ridden a bit both cars, I can say that I unquestionably like the CVT better.

But this is just my preference. My reasons:

- super smooth and quiet; it's hard for me to ride in a non-CVT style transmission now
- never have that momentary lurch and power loss when changing gears
- I'm 47 and have driven an MT my whole life; I'm ready to just relax a bit and enjoy the drive

That's just my two cents.

 

I move cars for dealers on dealer transfers. I have driven 7-8 HCH manual and CVTs on 100-200 mile trips. The manual transmission definitely gets better mileage from my tests.. on new low mileage cars..less than 200 miles on most of them. Most of the CVTs get in low 40s on the road and the manuals do maybe 3-5 mpg better. This is around 65-70 mph. I bought the CVT for the smoothness and my wife demanded it. If you are after max mileage, then get the manual. I was a bit apprehensive about the CVT so I bought the extended warranty and dont worry about it, I just enjoy the super smooth ride.

 

When I drive the CVT, I feel that any acceleration is like punching an AT into the "passing gear". I always think that I am over-revving the engine to maintain speed or to accelerate. In my MT HCH, I can get into 5th gear by 35 mph on level ground and then accelarate gently to cruising speed, never over-revving the engine and not straining it on the low end, either.

I just don't like it.

 

What I like about CVT:
* No wasteful torque converter
* Infinite ratio adjusted with engine for optimum efficiency
* Extremely smooth excellerations
* Drives like a traditional AT (Creep etc, Don't have to mess with shifting)
* Sounds like a jet engine both times I floored it last year.
* Something to strike conversation with

What I don't like:
* I like full control of what the car is doing.
* Possible future maintenance issues
* Slightly less MPG than AT
* Most of my drive is highway-freeway, MT would have been fine.

What the wife likes:
* Just put it in Drive and go. Doesn't know MT and doesn't want to learn.
(With the above comment alone I should have got the MT!)