TN Frank 10 Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 Since the 2014 Sparks are now being delivered, it would be interesting to hear from folks who have had the opportunity to test drive or buy a Spark with the new CVT Automatic. What's it like? Comments please. Link to post Share on other sites
richs121 2 Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 I just picked mine up yesterday, did my first commute to work this morning and so far I have no complaints. My ride is all highway and lots of hills and inclines and I really didn't feel like I was struggling to keep up with traffic. So far I am very happy. Link to post Share on other sites
brillo 4 Posted August 8, 2013 Share Posted August 8, 2013 How is ground clearance - any problem with average speed bumps or parking lot curbs / bumpers ? Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 The front will wreck on things like that, the back has much more clearance. Link to post Share on other sites
tommyspark 24 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Does it sit lower than the 2013 or something? Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Don't pull so far forward, Easy solution. And I gotta tell you, every car I've been in with a CVT has felt like.. well.. a go kart. Smikster 1 Link to post Share on other sites
yuwan63755 8 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 (edited) CVT seems great thus far. Had the 4 speed auto before this purchase and I like it much better than the previous auto transmission. Don't notice a lot of difference, other than shift feeling is pretty much non existent. Speed bumps are not a problem as long as you approach with care and the Spark is definitely better than my 2011 Honda Fit which seems to drag over everything. I was worried about where the CVT was built; however, in checking at purchase, I find it is made in Japan so that eased my concern a bit. Try it, you will like it. Edited September 1, 2013 by yuwan63755 Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 Don't notice a lot of difference, other than shift feeling is pretty much non existent. Link to post Share on other sites
Lovgun7 75 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 My lady has a CVT altima. i like it there is no shifting at all. Link to post Share on other sites
westernpa25 16 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 My parents have a CVT AWD Kizashi and I find myself using the paddle shifters when I drive it since it reverts to 6 preset ratios for cruising, its great! Link to post Share on other sites
NoSprak 17 Posted September 9, 2013 Share Posted September 9, 2013 My only concern with CVTs is they are NOT reliable. And when they do fail, they are completely done. Meaning, you have to drop a lot of money for a replacement. In concept, they are much better. Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Bemis 5 Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I just bought one yesterday and so far, so good. Its weird the way the engine searches around and I think they added artificial shifts that you can feel, since the public seems to need that. I just keep in mind that the weirdness is all an effort to have better mileage. Plus, I am a strict cruise control user, in that I use it all the time, on every road. Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 (edited) Chris please sign up for a free fuelly.com account and keep track of your tank to tank mileage, so far the CVT is doing really well on the few I've seen listed. Edited September 28, 2013 by Greg_E Link to post Share on other sites
Shane Duus 6 Posted November 16, 2013 Share Posted November 16, 2013 Very happy with mine. We have put 1000 miles on her in about 2 weeks so far, a good mix of City (45mph) and highway (72mph), and we have a lifetime average of 37 from the onstar app. The dash displays around the 35-36 when my wife drives, and 36-37 when I drive. I have not driven the previous auto, but this one seems to keep speed well, and not over rev. It does take a good pedal push to get the car moving, but once it is rolling, it accelerates just fine for me. I am quite impressed with the pep of the little engine Link to post Share on other sites
virginiamtspark 0 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) when I purchased my 5 speed 1lt spark I also test drove one with a cvt tranny and hated it ...The reason why it shifted all the time and had no pickup but lots of engine noise...I would like to say if I lived in the city and had to shift every stop light I would purchase the cvt...... Edited November 10, 2014 by virginiamtspark Link to post Share on other sites
Angrybird12 61 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) I've had mine now since may and have put over 9,500 miles on it and it seems to get better and better all the time. At first I thought it was very sluggish pulling out but as it has broken it and loosened up it really scoots away from stoplights now. Since I live in the mountains I am glad I didn't get the manual because I would be rowing the shifter all the time going up hills. This car never has a problem keeping up with the speed limit. Edited November 10, 2014 by Angrybird12 Link to post Share on other sites
virginiamtspark 0 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 My manual trans works just fine in the Mts of Wv very seldom do I have to down shift...The only thing I don't like thou is the rpms that the engine is turning 3300 at 70 mph... Link to post Share on other sites
Angrybird12 61 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 My manual trans works just fine in the Mts of Wv very seldom do I have to down shift...The only thing I don't like thou is the rpms that the engine is turning 3300 at 70 mph... That's about 1K more rpms than my CVT runs at at 70. Link to post Share on other sites
virginiamtspark 0 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 It doesn't make since that they get the same fuel mileage and one can turn that many more rpms go figure???? Link to post Share on other sites
Angrybird12 61 Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 (edited) It doesn't make since that they get the same fuel mileage and one can turn that many more rpms go figure???? The CVT reacts quickly to changes in terrain, as you go up hills the rpms will increase rapidly so not to lose speed. I have noticed on cruise control this car is excellent in maintaining speed even on steep inclines at 70mph. I bet on flat land on cruise at 70 the CVT would get much better mileage than a manual would, but a since I don't live where there is flat land I probably won't get to find out any time soon. Edited November 12, 2014 by Angrybird12 Link to post Share on other sites
geogary 2 Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 (edited) 2015 1LT Spark 3 days old. CVT is the way to go in this car. Too bad they had to put false shift points in to satisfy the public. What can be better than SMOOTH acceleration from start to whatever speed you want? Would be 5 star experience for me, but I will settle for 4.5 star rating, only because of fake shift points. Really looking forward to the gas milage. Traded a PT Cruiser GT convertible with high output turbo (230 HP) That thing would hustle. Well, on second day of Sparky I just had to nail it from a dead stop to about 50. Amazing is the best way to describe my feelings. Of course not like my GT Cruiser, but plenty quick and very satisfying. Happy camper here. Will miss the convertible for sure. Edited February 27, 2015 by geogary Link to post Share on other sites
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