CVT Box - plus engine power

I'm looking to buy a used 500, possibly AWD with the CVT gearbox. I had a CVT when living in England, and like the system a lot. But, I have reservations how this works on a 3 liter engine (My U.K. car was a 1.4 liter Fiat). They can be a bit 'jerky' not having a torque converter as such. Nissan got around this problem, but I don't know about Ford.

I have read so many conflicting reports about this car. some reports praise the CVT, others don't.

Similarly, I have read conflicting reports about the Duratec engine being adequate or underpowered for such a large car.

Bearing in mind the Duratec isn't the world's smoothest engine, I would be concerned about the engine noise when the CVT box revs to get the vehicle going.

I have heard bad reports about the 6 speed box on other models, no manual overide for engine braking on a bend etc, so am not too keen on that.

If there are any owners or company drivers, then I would appreciate your comments.

Thanks.......

I have driven a 2006 Ltd for the past four months. The CVT initially took some getting used to but I now appreciate its smooth operation. Power from the Duratec is adequate, but it can be a little sluggish when you are running the AC and need to accelerate quickly. I do find the engine noisy, especially when compared to previous Fords I have owned that came equipped with a Duratec, but no CVT.

I have driven a 2006 Ltd for the past four months. The CVT initially took some getting used to but I now appreciate its smooth operation. Power from the Duratec is adequate, but it can be a little sluggish when you are running the AC and need to accelerate quickly. I do find the engine noisy, especially when compared to previous Fords I have owned that came equipped with a Duratec, but no CVT.

John:

Much appreciate your comments. Do you know if Ford offer an extended warranty for the CVT? I guess it would be under the title of Powertrain warranty.

Sorry, I don't know about the warranty, but I have heard that Ford is offering a no-deductible, fully transferable powertrain limited warranty on 2007 Ford and Mercury vehicles that will now be five years or 60,000 miles.

If you buy a three year old Five Hundred, you should be able to get Ford's Extended warrany ... I'm not sure what it includes, but I do know that it does have atleast a powertrain warranty.

The CVT in the Five Hundred uses a torque converter, from what I understand, the engine is mated to the CVT using a non locking torque converter. I have been following Five Hundred since they came out (thinking about one in a few years when the Taurus is done) and they don't really have meny problems with transmissions quitting. I have heard of a few AWD system problems. Being as now the Five Hundred is a fairly heavy FWD car, you may not need AWD if you live in the snow country.

I have driven the Five Hundred and the Freestyle both with similar V-6 engines and the CVT. They are adequately powered and the shifting is nice I think.

We have two Uncles with the Five Hundred and CVTs, they have had ZERO problems with the cars at all. Both are extremely happy with them.

A former Ford engineer claimed they are GOOD transmissions, but the fuel economy is not as good as with a 6 spd auto because so much power is gobbled up in the transmission's hydraulic pump.

My '04 Freestar (van) with the 3.9L and 5 speed auto gets 25-28 MPG highway, and I could see a Five Hundred with a 6 speed getting over 30 easily.

My wife has had a 500se AWD for nearly 3 years now, with no problems. It does take some getting used to,the no shilfting and all, but I have found the car to be very smooth driving. In fact if you are not carefull you will find yourself going 85 mph and not realizing it.
Now I can't confirm this but I belive the design for the CVT is a VOLVO one. Very reliable.

My wife and I have had a 2006 500 limited awd w/ cvt for about 1 1/2 years now have 15,000 miles on it and are very pleased with it. Sure, it could use a little more power from a dead stop but once you are rolling it does just fine. I would reccomend this vehicle to anyone