Just heard people talking about how bad the transmissions were and how tight the engine bay is. Personally, I like the D-series Honda engines (genuinely bulletproof) and want to hear people's opinions now that it's 25 years old.
I'm not normally a person who is all that interested or knowledgeable in 2000s Japanese cars, but I don't think the early 00s Civics had bad transmissions. I know the Honda Accord with the V6s was known for transmission problems just because of the torque of the V6.
Eh, most 4 speeds aren't the greatest, I'd much rather have a 5 speed. The VTEC isn't supposed to be aggressive since most trim levels aren't sports oriented so rather it is tuner for fuel economy. --- Post updated --- Ah ok, so I looked into it a bit more and the 4-speed auto is known to not be the greatest, and earlier models are known for issues like slipping, harsh shifts, torque converter problems, solenoid failures, overheating fluid, and worn clutch packs leading to premature failure (often around 100k-150k miles if fluid wasn't changed regularly). If I am understanding what I am reading correctly, you needed to maintain that ATF like a hawk, which your average consumer doesn't do enough.
Seems to me that people still think that ATF doesn't need to be changed because "it's an automatic". Another factor for failure is turbocharging and tuning an engine for 200+ horsepower on a stock auto or even a manual transmission, and being surprised when first gear turns into glitter. Proper maintenance is key for engine + transmission life.
Oh I know that way too well. My parents think they can get away with simply oil changes and fixing everything else when it makes a noise. My mom bought a 2013 GMC Terrain V6 in 2020 with 13k miles, and has since put about 100k on it and never changed the tranny fluid, and it surprised that the transmission bangs going from 2nd to 3rd. It's a terrible transmission that is even worse when maintained. It's actually impressive that it both slips inbetween 2nd and 3rd and then also bangs so hard that you think you just got rear ended.
I test drove a 2001 with the 1.7vtech, a NASTY hot air intake a hole in the muffler and a 5 speed. Was my first time driving a civic. Thing was a ripper so fun. Kinda wish i bought it. Seemed like an excellent car to me. --- Post updated --- in highschool me and a few friends bought a 400 dollar 250,000 2002 v6 auto Honda accord coupe to beat on at the salt flats and the trans was cooked on that thing. Then my one friend who doesnt know crap about cars drove it from his place and didnt realize he had it in low so it was in first gear only for like 20 miles and it was really cooked after that lol. It was ok when if got into overdrive but it shifted so rough and couldnt pick a gear very well Still made it to the salt flats and went 110 before the trans completely blew.
Did you put a bottle of Lucas Transmission Slip Fix in? My 01 LeSabre banged a lot when shifting around 4k rpm, but after I put that in, it stopped it. It's not a fix all and its more of a band-aid since, in my experience, the 4t65-e is known to bang a lot but the Lucas stuff does seem to fix it.
in highschool me and a few friends bought a 400 dollar 250,000 2002 v6 auto Honda accord coupe to beat on at the salt flats and the trans was cooked on that thing. Then my one friend who doesnt know crap about cars drove it from his place and didnt realize he had it in low so it was in first gear only for like 20 miles and it was really cooked after that lol. It was ok when if got into overdrive but it shifted so rough and couldnt pick a gear very well Still made it to the salt flats and went 110 before the trans completely blew.. Na we did important stuff like cut off the muffler then cut the intake pipe and attach the cone k&n filter off my thunderbird.
