Civic with i-Shift

Civic with i-Shift

Author
Discussion

MaestroDave

Original Poster:

150 posts

209 months

Monday 22nd June 2009
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I just took a test drive in a 2007 Civic S-Type 1.8 with an i-Shift "automatic" gearbox...

Now, was it just the one I drove, or is the i-Shift auto box absolutely horrendous? - to the point of being dangerous? Surging gear changes, no torque for pulling away etc. It reminded me of my first driving lesson smile

I was suprised because you've always been able to count on Honda for a good gearbox, be it auto or manual. I've had loads of Rovers and MG's with Honda PG1 boxes, an 827 with the auto 4-speed box, a honda legend with the same... all absolutely fantastic. I recently also drove a Jazz with the CVT box, again a cracking gearbox.

Someone tell me they're not all like that!

Dave

foggy

1,172 posts

289 months

Wednesday 24th June 2009
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I worked with them for a while and can confirm that they're all quite 'special' as you describe. Generally it was pronounced with a silent 'f'...

thegreatdogwood

299 posts

204 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
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Was thinking of changing my wifes Jazz with CVT for the new one with i-shift. Had a test drive and it is the worst gearbox I have ever experienced, period. Honda have dropped such a large clanger with this that a 1 year old Jazz with CVT is selling for more than a 3 month old new i-shift model

sjwb

550 posts

215 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
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Fancying an auto once more, I was going to trade my manual for one, but the Honda salesman said DON'T!
Says it all really.

thegreatdogwood

299 posts

204 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
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You cannot imagine how bad they are. I told the salesman I had read some bad reviews and wanted to make my mind up and he said it was nowhere near as bad as people make out. At the end of the test drive I told him I thought it was the worst gearbox I had ever used and he admitted that it was a dog!

Imagine driving a manual car with your right foot but having no clutch pedal. Now whilst you know in a manual when to moderate the revs as you control the clutch, you now have to guess when it might change gear and lift off. Otherwise you lose all power for about 2 seconds and then jerkily change gear. Some times you guess right, but mostly you don't

sjg

7,533 posts

272 months

Sunday 6th December 2009
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It was so well received they're offering a regular torque-converter auto again from this year.