Piston Slap: Justy-fied Freestylin' Over CVTs (PART VI)

TTAC commentator Patrickj writes:

Sajeev, an update:

My 2006 Ford Freestyle that started this series has been traded in after 184,000 miles. It’s replacement is a 2015 Subaru Legacy, so I guess I wasn’t scared off by the CVT.

The reason for getting the Subaru is mostly because of the second A/C failure of the summer in the Freestyle, though it also needed four struts, assorted bushings, and a steering shaft (u-joints doing a weird stick-slip thing). CVT and engine have been been fine to the end, with only two transmission fluid changes.

Sajeev answers:

Patrick’s Freestyle was three years old in the first Piston Slap, starting the “Justy-fied” CVT postings. Are we getting old?

And keep in mind his Freestyle had 75,000 miles back then. With 184,000 miles now, this CVT lived the relaxed life of a more-highway-than-city cruiser. So what does this update mean?

Here are some takeaways:

1. Transmission/transaxle fluid changes every 90,000-ish miles are a very good thing (or sooner, better RTFM on that).
2. Just because the Internet makes a blanket statement about something (like CVT durability) doesn’t make it true.**
3. If you need a cheap set of wheels for a couple of years, higher mileage vehicles might be a better value! Don’t shy away from one — go kick the tires.
4. CVTs may be slow to react, but modern 6+ speed autoboxes are rather slow on a factory tune. Considering their fuel efficiency and the ability to keep the engine in its powerband during hard acceleration, are CVTs really that bad?

** Except for Panther Love. That’s totally true.

[Photo courtesy: Shutterstock user Pixel B]

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.