Which make and model of car offers the least transmission problems?

Question

I'm planning on buying a new car and I've read a few TSB's and I'd like to know everyone's opinions on which year/make/model car gives the least transmission problem.

Please don't answer if you feel your car is the best just because you haven't had a problem yet. Only people with real knowledge of cars reply.

Thank You

Answer 1

Hondas are pretty lousy, the Fords and Mazda FWD cars are also pretty crummy, the smaller GM cars are bad as are most 4L60E's, Chryslers are bad though better over time...

Doesn't leave a lot of potentially good cars, in retrospect, when trying to dodge troublemakers.

Answer 2

I would suggest looking into a hybrid car that uses the Power Split Device transmission.

The beauty of the PSD transmission is that it is extremely simple compared to regular auto or manual transmissions.  Just one single planetary gearset, no gear-shifting wear-and-tear, no hot-running torque converter, no clutch, no CVT belts.

How the PSD transmission works:  http://eahart.com/prius/psd/

Cars that use the PSD transmission:

- Toyota hybrids (Prius, Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid)

- Lexus hybrids (GSh, LSh, RXh).

- Nissan Altima Hybrid (licensed Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota)

- Ford Escape Hybrid (independently developed).

The Toyota Prius has just 22 moving parts in its PSD transmission.  That's compared to 100+ moving parts in a typical 4-speed automatic transmission with torque converter.  The lower part count means higher reliability and less maintenance--  PSD trannies require a fluid change every 60,000 miles.

The PSD transmission has proven to be extremely tough--  New York City has been using the Ford Escape Hybrid as taxi cabs since 2004.  Most has racked up 200,000 miles with no problems, withstanding the daily abuse dished out by cab drivers.  Vancouver has been using the Toyota Prius as taxis and have also had no problems.

Take note that not all hybrids use the PSD transmission.  Honda's Civic Hybrid uses a belt-driven CVT transmission, while GM's Saturn Vue Hybrid and Aura/Malibu Hybrids use a conventional 4-speed automatic transmission with torque converter.  The big GM hybrid SUVs use a complex 2-mode transmission which is a 4-speed gearbox with 2 clutches that engages a dual-motor electrical drive.  Only the Toyota, Lexus, Nissan and Ford hybrids use the Power Split Device.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Anything with a manual transmission will be almost bullet proof.  The only thing you'll ever need to do is replace the clutch and they last a long time.