On CVT and drive-by-wire

Discussion in 'General Subaru Discussion' started by wytten, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. wytten
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    wytten Well-Known Member

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    I visited a dealer on Saturday and see that a lot has changed since I bought my '01 Legacy.
    I'm not excited about either drive-by-wire or CVT.

    I prefer an old-fashioned throttle cable out of a general dislike of automotive high technology and a specific dislike of unintended acceleration events.

    My main complaint about the CVT is not being able to grab a lower gear in a reactive driving situation. I'm supposed to first switch to manual and then pull a paddle, is that it? Not likely.

    So...Not having shopped for a car in a long time, I guess I'll find that other manufacturers have all gone the same way.

    Any thoughts?
     
    wytten, Apr 9, 2012
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  2. Bryan
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    Bryan Member

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    I have a 2012 Legacy with the CVT. You don't need to switch to manual mode before using a paddle. I can leave it in regular "D" and "downshift" (or "upshift") with the paddles anytime I want. However, it will revert back to regular "D" mode after a few seconds of no paddle activity. If that makes sense...
     
    Bryan, Apr 9, 2012
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  3. JACKRBT
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    JACKRBT Well-Known Member

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    Bryan, so does it determine what "gear" it would be in at the moment and change to the next lower (or higher) pre-programmed ratio for each paddle hit?
     
    JACKRBT, Apr 9, 2012
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  4. Bryan
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    Bryan Member

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    Exactly.
     
    Bryan, Apr 9, 2012
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  5. pillboy
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    pillboy Well-Known Member

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    Drive-by-wire doesn't concern me...old skool NASCAR stockers (as old as you can get) used to have throttles hanging up all the time.

    I'm not a big fan of CVTs as I would prefer my automatic transmission to have "steps" to it, but I am old too. Plus side is fewer parts and better gas mileage for CVTs.

    Cross all Nissans off your shopping list as I believe CVT is all they use now for automatics.
     
    pillboy, Apr 9, 2012
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  6. WLGT
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    WLGT Well-Known Member

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    CVT/Automatic?

    I test drove the new Maxima "CVT".

    I Couldn't tell a difference from any other Automatic Transmissions but then again, I haven't driven an put it in D for so many years and am glad I don't own one as a DD.

    So Boring and not exciting or anything like an Manual.

    No Automatic car since I was like 16.

    I think most Car Manufacturers have gone CVT or similar. Must be for increased Fuel Economy.

    Manual Trans for Life or til I have a broken leg/arm.
     
    WLGT, Apr 9, 2012
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  7. wytten
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    wytten Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the replies...Bryan's observation that you can go straight for a paddle helps, but then I have to still would have to react differently in this car than in others.

    I guess I'm an old-timer, as conceptually I have a problem with cars not being "driven". Instead the computer accepts your input and will take it under consideration.
     
    wytten, Apr 10, 2012
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