Auto vs Manual

[thecarfridge]

Greetings all, I am looking to buy 96-99 Accord,(perfect car for me!) but in researching, it sound as if the auto trans. can be a bit of a weak point. I have never owned an auto, but if one comes up at the right price I might be tempted. So what is the general opinion on these auto boxes? cheers!!

[Chriskoss]

Comes down to personal preference doesn't it?

I for one couldn't drive an auto, never have, tried it on dad's car.. hated it.. so it's just what your used to and what your comfy with. Sure you can get used to the auto but I like the idea of more control over what speed your going etc with a manual

[eght]

why are auto trans a weak point? i dont think they are.

i think your research will tell oyu that semi-automatic is more prone to failure. for e.g. alfa romeo selespeed or prelude semi-auto gearboxes.

i think auto gearboxes require more maintenance as there are more moving parts and fluids in the engagement of the flywheel. i.e. a torque converter has more moving parts and fluids than a manual gearbox's clutch.

[thecarfridge]

Thanks for the reply, I am not real keen on an auto, never having owned one, but its not such an issue if they are reliable. In researching this, there are reports of the CD5 manual and auto boxes being equally reliable, but real problems with the CG5 auto boxes. Any experiences with these?? many thanks,

[joe_kur]

what is your opinion on a "weak point" and how will it benefit you driving this car in auto or manual?
manual gearboxes are better for sports cars and auto for family cars and utility utes.
but it also depends on your age aswell. young guys like to drive manual cars but a older family man would like an auto.

good luck with the buy.

[shadou]

haven't seen anything wrong with the accord auto trans yet, it's the Honda CVT automatic boxes you need to be cautious about.

[thecarfridge]

According to Wikipedia the 6th gen auto boxes where the subject of a class action in America, forcing Honda to extend the warranties of the V6/Auto

[thepope1986]

american accords were terrible and i also heard some dealerships in australia refused to sell them here

[JohnL]

but it also depends on your age aswell. young guys like to drive manual cars but a older family man would like an auto.

Ever heard of the word 'stereotype'? Your statement is complete nonsense, some "older family men" prefer manual gearboxes, some autos, and it's the same deal with "young guys". I'm an "older family man" (at least I could be described that way, among others...), and yet to find an automatic gearbox I didn't dislike.

By the way, most people can't use a manual box to it's full effect. It's only once the technique of 'heel and toe' can be performed cleanly without thinking about it can it be considered that the use of a manual box is truly mastered.

For anyone who may not be familiar with the term, 'heel and toe' is the use of all three pedals simultaneously in order to smoothly change down through the gears whilst also braking. This is why you hear racing drivers 'blip' the engine as they approach corners.

[quenjose]

i almost bought a v6 model a few years back until i found out the auto trans had been totally overhauled at 98k kms (which seemed unusual). I looked further into this and apparently with the v6 models, it was common for the transmission to fail around 100k kms requiring a rebuild or replacement.

[thecarfridge]

american accords were terrible and i also heard some dealerships in australia refused to sell them here

So Japan manufactured is best? What about Thailand? No I am not racist in any way, simply asking the experiences of others (But like most aussies, I have a humorous disdain of all seppos!)

[beeza]

I've had manuals all my life but my civic now is auto.I'm 34 and an auto was a good change plus I'm local most the time and just cruise with 2Pac Pumpin'

After almost 4 years I'm due for a change.

The trick with the auto I reckon is too minimise the lag when launching i.e. Try to maximise the low end torque and for that they really need a dyno tune with Neptune,hondata,greddy e-manage etc.I haven't had an dynotune and below 4000 rpm it's laggy,then it opens up to redline 6'500rpm.