Honda Car Forum

Peter Adler wrote:
> That could have been nice! I just closed on a '97 HX with 140K for $3000.
> But it looks pretty and the owner seems to have treated it kindly.
>
> And, shortly after I closed, I came across a review of the same year model
> by an owner who claims that the transmission is failure-prone and very
> expensive to repair. Expensive I can understand, but failure-prone?
>
> Hey, guys, say it ain't so ...!
>
> Pete (fP)


I've seen indications that it fails more often than the usual
automatic, but don't know if it's a flaw or how they get driven by so
many kids. And replacements on Ebay don't seem too expensive. FWIW, my
'95 EX has a regular 5 speed, and not only did it fail and get replaced
by the previous owner (along with the clutch, happily), but someone was
posting here a few weeks ago about the same 5 speed failing...


>
>
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
> newss8li.10877$ZO4.7773@trndny05...
>
>>On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:30:09 -0400, Peter Adler wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
>>>dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There are
>>>a few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already
>>>sold, or the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking for
>>>a while. Anyone know of anything in NE US?
>>>
>>>Pete (fP)
>>
>>
>>Where are you? I think there's one in Leverrett, MA, 160,000 miles IIRC,
>>and asking $1950
>>
>>I'm not *sure* it's an HX...
>>
>>
>>>
>>>"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
>>>news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
>>>
>>>>Peter Adler wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the
>>>>>car I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>>>>>apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>>>>>Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>>>>would be a plus.
>>>>>
>>>>>I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>>>>experts:
>>>>>
>>>>>Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing
>>>>>and say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>>>
>>>>>Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>>>>spend less?
>>>>>
>>>>>Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>>>>point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>>>>>away?
>>>>>
>>>>>Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>>>
>>>>>I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>>>
>>>>>Thank you --
>>>>>
>>>>>Pete (from Poughquag)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used,
>>>> in
>>>>good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
>>>>models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to*
>>>>be an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so
>>>>bloody high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to
>>>>have two overdrives...
>>
>
>

Peter Adler wrote:
> That could have been nice! I just closed on a '97 HX with 140K for $3000.
> But it looks pretty and the owner seems to have treated it kindly.
>
> And, shortly after I closed, I came across a review of the same year model
> by an owner who claims that the transmission is failure-prone and very
> expensive to repair. Expensive I can understand, but failure-prone?
>
> Hey, guys, say it ain't so ...!

read any "review" on any forum, and you'll find one person that spews
vitriol about _[insert name of product here]_. reality is, it's not
shown up as a problem on this forum or other primary honda web sites.
you can check that for yourself.

the other thing to bear in mind is that because it's /not/ a
conventional transmission, the local clown at monkey-trans has no idea
what its about. "omg, it's not shifting!!!". leading of course to
urgent replacement [and, naturally, substantial profit].

bottom line - you need to filter the crap from the real info.
statistically, your car will be fine. its probability of failure is not
zero, but statistically, the odds are very much in your favor. all it
really needs is honda transmission fluid and to be driven normally.



>
> Pete (fP)
>
>
> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
> newss8li.10877$ZO4.7773@trndny05...
>> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:30:09 -0400, Peter Adler wrote:
>>
>>> I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
>>> dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There are
>>> a few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already
>>> sold, or the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking for
>>> a while. Anyone know of anything in NE US?
>>>
>>> Pete (fP)
>>
>> Where are you? I think there's one in Leverrett, MA, 160,000 miles IIRC,
>> and asking $1950
>>
>> I'm not *sure* it's an HX...
>>
>>>
>>> "mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
>>> news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
>>>> Peter Adler wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the
>>>>> car I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some in
>>>>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around $4500.
>>>>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>>>> would be a plus.
>>>>>
>>>>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>>>> experts:
>>>>>
>>>>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing
>>>>> and say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>>>
>>>>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>>>> spend less?
>>>>>
>>>>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>>>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to go
>>>>> away?
>>>>>
>>>>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>>>
>>>>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thank you --
>>>>>
>>>>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find used,
>>>> in
>>>> good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
>>>> models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to*
>>>> be an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so
>>>> bloody high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to
>>>> have two overdrives...
>
>

Thank you, everyone. I guess niggling at the back of my mind was the
thought, if this transmission is so efficient, how come it isn't on every
car out there? Even Honda seems to have given up on it. OTH, it's such a
nifty idea ...

Other than careful driving (which I do, mostly) are there secrets to
promoting longevity? Additives? Frequent fluid changes? An external filter?

Pete (fP)


"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:86udnWCKccLZKAjbnZ2dnUVZ_qWtnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
> Peter Adler wrote:
>> That could have been nice! I just closed on a '97 HX with 140K for $3000.
>> But it looks pretty and the owner seems to have treated it kindly.
>>
>> And, shortly after I closed, I came across a review of the same year
>> model by an owner who claims that the transmission is failure-prone and
>> very expensive to repair. Expensive I can understand, but failure-prone?
>>
>> Hey, guys, say it ain't so ...!
>
> read any "review" on any forum, and you'll find one person that spews
> vitriol about _[insert name of product here]_. reality is, it's not shown
> up as a problem on this forum or other primary honda web sites. you can
> check that for yourself.
>
> the other thing to bear in mind is that because it's /not/ a conventional
> transmission, the local clown at monkey-trans has no idea what its about.
> "omg, it's not shifting!!!". leading of course to urgent replacement
> [and, naturally, substantial profit].
>
> bottom line - you need to filter the crap from the real info.
> statistically, your car will be fine. its probability of failure is not
> zero, but statistically, the odds are very much in your favor. all it
> really needs is honda transmission fluid and to be driven normally.
>
>
>
>>
>> Pete (fP)
>>
>>
>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>> newss8li.10877$ZO4.7773@trndny05...
>>> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:30:09 -0400, Peter Adler wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
>>>> dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There
>>>> are
>>>> a few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already
>>>> sold, or the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking
>>>> for
>>>> a while. Anyone know of anything in NE US?
>>>>
>>>> Pete (fP)
>>>
>>> Where are you? I think there's one in Leverrett, MA, 160,000 miles IIRC,
>>> and asking $1950
>>>
>>> I'm not *sure* it's an HX...
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
>>>> news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
>>>>> Peter Adler wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the
>>>>>> car I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around
>>>>>> $4500.
>>>>>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>>>>> would be a plus.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>>>>> experts:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing
>>>>>> and say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>>>>> spend less?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>>>>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to
>>>>>> go
>>>>>> away?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you --
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find
>>>>> used,
>>>>> in
>>>>> good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
>>>>> models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to*
>>>>> be an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so
>>>>> bloody high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to
>>>>> have two overdrives...
>>

Peter Adler wrote:
> Thank you, everyone. I guess niggling at the back of my mind was the
> thought, if this transmission is so efficient, how come it isn't on every
> car out there? Even Honda seems to have given up on it. OTH, it's such a
> nifty idea ...

because for some reason, the clowns that sell cars here can't be
bothered to explain the difference of how it works. hence people used
to driving "notchy" automatics don't understand what's happening and
feel uncomfortable with it. contrast this with the fact that the cvt is
highly popular in europe and asia! fwiu, the honda fit is only
available in cvt if you want an automatic in those markets [albeit with
7 pseudo-notches programmed in - perverse if you ask me].

http://www.honda.co.uk/brochure/down.../HondaJazz.pdf


>
> Other than careful driving (which I do, mostly) are there secrets to
> promoting longevity? Additives? Frequent fluid changes? An external filter?
>
> Pete (fP)
>
>
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
> news:86udnWCKccLZKAjbnZ2dnUVZ_qWtnZ2d@speakeasy.ne t...
>> Peter Adler wrote:
>>> That could have been nice! I just closed on a '97 HX with 140K for $3000.
>>> But it looks pretty and the owner seems to have treated it kindly.
>>>
>>> And, shortly after I closed, I came across a review of the same year
>>> model by an owner who claims that the transmission is failure-prone and
>>> very expensive to repair. Expensive I can understand, but failure-prone?
>>>
>>> Hey, guys, say it ain't so ...!
>> read any "review" on any forum, and you'll find one person that spews
>> vitriol about _[insert name of product here]_. reality is, it's not shown
>> up as a problem on this forum or other primary honda web sites. you can
>> check that for yourself.
>>
>> the other thing to bear in mind is that because it's /not/ a conventional
>> transmission, the local clown at monkey-trans has no idea what its about.
>> "omg, it's not shifting!!!". leading of course to urgent replacement
>> [and, naturally, substantial profit].
>>
>> bottom line - you need to filter the crap from the real info.
>> statistically, your car will be fine. its probability of failure is not
>> zero, but statistically, the odds are very much in your favor. all it
>> really needs is honda transmission fluid and to be driven normally.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Pete (fP)
>>>
>>>
>>> "Hachiroku ????" <Trueno@AE86.gts> wrote in message
>>> newss8li.10877$ZO4.7773@trndny05...
>>>> On Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:30:09 -0400, Peter Adler wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I've seen other nice Civics but I kind of had my heart set on the HX. I
>>>>> dunno -- something about a device that shouldn't work but does. There
>>>>> are
>>>>> a few around, although most of them are either too expensive, already
>>>>> sold, or the owner "forgot to mention ... etc". But I'll keep looking
>>>>> for
>>>>> a while. Anyone know of anything in NE US?
>>>>>
>>>>> Pete (fP)
>>>> Where are you? I think there's one in Leverrett, MA, 160,000 miles IIRC,
>>>> and asking $1950
>>>>
>>>> I'm not *sure* it's an HX...
>>>>
>>>>> "mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> wrote in message
>>>>> news:FkDki.3093$nQ4.342@trndny01...
>>>>>> Peter Adler wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> My 14th Volvo (a 765T) is resting and I need transport. I think the
>>>>>>> car I'm looking for is a Civic HX, preferably auto. I'm seeing some
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> apparently reasonable shape with 100K or thereabouts for around
>>>>>>> $4500.
>>>>>>> Looks don't matter much, but reliability is a must. Good gas mileage
>>>>>>> would be a plus.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I know absolutely nothing about Hondas, so my questions to all you
>>>>>>> experts:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is the HX a good choice or are people going to roll around laughing
>>>>>>> and say, You bought a WHAT!!!?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is the price/age point reasonable? Should I spend more money? Could I
>>>>>>> spend less?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Volvos before '88 had bad electrical issues. Is there a similar break
>>>>>>> point with the HX where long-standing problems were finally made to
>>>>>>> go
>>>>>>> away?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is there anything peculiar to this model that I should watch for?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I've enjoyed browsing this group and look forward to your responses.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thank you --
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pete (from Poughquag)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I too thought I wanted an HX, but they are pretty hard to find
>>>>>> used,
>>>>>> in
>>>>>> good shape, because they weren't all that common. The other Civic
>>>>>> models seem to get close to the same mpg, so don't decide it *has to*
>>>>>> be an HX. I got an EX sedan with a 5 speed, and the gearing is so
>>>>>> bloody high it *should* get good fuel economy! The thing appears to
>>>>>> have two overdrives...
>

"Peter Adler" <adler_1@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:TeydnYe8Op9c5wvbnZ2dnUVZ_rOpnZ2d@suscom.com.. .
> Thank you, everyone. I guess niggling at the back of my mind was the
> thought, if this transmission is so efficient, how come it isn't on every
> car out there? Even Honda seems to have given up on it. OTH, it's such a
> nifty idea ...
>

CVTs have a spotted history and a bad reputation because of that. For ages
they were made with rubber drive belts that were not very durable. It takes
a while to overcome a bad rep.

Mike

In article <TeydnYe8Op9c5wvbnZ2dnUVZ_rOpnZ2d@suscom.com>,
"Peter Adler" <adler_1@comcast.net> wrote:

> Thank you, everyone. I guess niggling at the back of my mind was the
> thought, if this transmission is so efficient, how come it isn't on every
> car out there? Even Honda seems to have given up on it. OTH, it's such a
> nifty idea ...
>
> Other than careful driving (which I do, mostly) are there secrets to
> promoting longevity? Additives? Frequent fluid changes? An external filter?

CV Transmissions have been becoming more common.
Nissan has been a leader in their manufacture and uses one in their V6
SUV, the Altima, Sentra and Versa.
Chrysler uses them in the Caliper/Compass vehicles, Mercedes B class,
Audi A4 & A6, Honda and Toyota hybrids and Ford in some mid sized
models, but Ford has dropped it in the Ford500/now called Taurus.
Subaru is planning to add the gearless transmission into every model
they make by 2010.
A search at Wheels.ca hit on 44 vehicles with CVT.

As suggested already I'd stick to the maintenance recommended by Honda,
including only using Honda SUPPLIED lubricant.


http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/tec...4/article.html
> CVT Enters the Mainstream
> CVT has been around for more than a hundred years. However, until recently,
> it was reserved for industrial applications ‹ running lathes or light-duty
> drill presses, for instance. With the introduction of improved materials,
> such as high-density rubber belts, advanced hydraulics and, more recently,
> high-speed sensors and microprocessors, the stage was set for CVT's rise in
> the automobile.
>
> CVT's design advantages lie not only in its efficiency but in its simplicity.
> It consists of very few components.

http://cars.about.com/od/thingsyouneedtoknow/a/CVT.htm
CVT - Continuously Variable Transmission, What it is, how it works