Hey guys, I've been looking for a good reliable car that I can drive to Vegas, San Diego and LA back and forth very often without having to worry about being stranded somewhere due to car issues. I'm considering a 1996-2000 Honda Civic coupe, four door or maybe a Hatchback but am open to other years or models if you guys have some better years in mind or other cars I should look into. The car must be an automatic, that said I'm kinda worried since I've been reading some negative feedback on Honda/Acura's transmissions, great motors for the most part but when it comes to there automatic transmissions there just not to good. What do you guys think? What is the best year/model with an automatic transmission? I know that if the maintenance is kept up it can last a good while but buying a used car is always risky and if there's a known problem then I can't really avoid it no matter how much I keep up with the maintenance so I rather go with a car that has NO known transmission/engine issues for a responsible price. I don't want a 5 speed anymore this is why I'm looking for the best automatic transmission/Engine for a reasonable price. Any help and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

'92 - '94 civics seem to from my expirence have significantly tougher automatic transmissions than anything newer. '95 civics while being otherwise the same as '92 - '94 models have a different transmission code (A24A vs M24A) for whatever reason they seem to be worse. I realize that this is probably older than what you are looking for, but I just figured i'd tell you what I thought. '96 - '00 are a whole other ball of wax, I can't say i've ever seen any actual total transmission failure yet (i've heard of a lot more reports than i'd like though) I can tell you that they shift like crap, even at very low mileage. I know its not what you want to hear, but if you really want something reliable the manual is hands down the way to go.

 

Despite what people say about Honda automatics, I've had 2, both of which have had no problems at all. One was a 97 Accord and the other a 99 CRV (which I still have). The CRV is a fairly complex transmission with a lot of stuff that could go wrong, and it has always shifted like butter, once I put the right fluid in it.

I think, with the exception of a few years of Odysseys, the Honda automatic transmission problem is blown out of proportion. Any car that's been well maintained, and that you *keep* well maintained is going to be fine... the key is finding one that's been well maintained.

I think you will be fine with any auto Civic between 92-00, with the best ones being 92-94. To keep it running right, follow these guidelines:

1. *NEVER* do a power flush on Honda automatics. Honda released a service bulletin stating that power flushes have been known to kill working honda autos. I suspect this is because most Honda autos I've seen don't have a transmission pan, so a flush stirs up the metal shavings into the gears. If you want to clean the internals, do a multiple drain and fill ONLY.

2. *DO* have the transmission fluid drained and filled often. Once every 2 years is fine, once a year is better.

3. *NEVER* use any fluid except official Honda Automatic Transmission Fluid. Honda says this, and my experience with Honda autos with different fluid backs it up - they don't like to shift right without Honda fluid.

4. *NEVER* over/underfill the fluid. Your transmission will not like it, will not shift right, and will die quickly.

All that said, if you follow those guidelines, I believe that honda autos can be almost as bulletproof as the manuals... Which is saying something. Mine's got 204K miles on it currently and has never left me stranded.

 

Thanks for all the great information guys I totally know what you mean by only using what's recommended I don't mind spending the extra 5-20 dollars more for the OEM part than that auto zone part especially when it comes down to big moving parts that need to last and you don't want to be changing every other month. I had my GSR top notch serviced with all and anything i felt it needed with nothing but OEM parts it was great but the previous owner never really took to much care of it so like with any car, it was bound to have more serious issues that couldn't just be fixed easily. I am not in a situation where I don't want to get into that hole again and buy something that I'm going to have to but a lot of money into it right away. I know all used cars need maintenance but I want to get something that doesn't have known issues especially when it comes to expensive issues like engine issues and transmission issues, I even thought about a 94-99 LS automatic integra or a RSX automatic also. What do you guys think? How are the automatic transmission and motors on both the LS integra and Acura RSX?

 

Any opinions on the above guys?

 

@Vindicator9000,

thanks for that list

ive got a 95 civic ex 2dr automatic w/ 170,000mi and the transmission fluid is a little low
i came here searching whether to get a flush or just top it off...

guess i need to call around and see how much a drain and fill would be
or if i can do it with my limited car knowledge/tools (i know how to change the oil)

any idea how much costs for a drain and fill at a shop? (e.g. does it cost $40 and i should steer clear of a shop that wants $200 for it...)
better (or cheaper) to go to a honda dealer or japanese car shop (honda, toyota, etc)?

with the economy the way it is, my wife and i only have 1 car, so im trying to do as much research before i waste any money and or strand us on the highway somewhere.

thanks,

 

got a bottle from the dealer ($10 was cheaper than $5 + shipping)
put about 4oz in, checked the dip stick, and it appears to be at the top of the pattern on the dip stick (upper mark)

after driving this morning (4mi) it is shifting smoother, but still shifts later
e.g. going level to slightly downhill in 2nd gear @ 32-38mph sits @ 3200-3600rpm rather than shifting to 3rd gear.

guess that is typical for a 4 cylinder.

i did notice though, that the fluid on the dip-stick is yellowish rather than the cranberry color of the fluid i bought (honda ATF). i dont know if that means that it has been in there too long and has broken down, but my wife suggested that perhaps whoever got it changes last time (her uncle probably) didnt use honda. assuming i dont get another pay-cut, ill do a complete drain and refill @ 180,000mi (currently 170,175mi)

probably should replace the MC and the spark plugs @ 180k too.

 

If the fluid is yellowish, that might be gear/engine oil and not ATF. I would replace it.