I know Hondas have weak automatic transmissions but have amazing engines so if you get a Honda that is a stick shift does it cover that weakness up pretty well? For example, I'm looking at a 2002 Honda accord 4-cylinder engine with a manual transmission. Would that car be very reliable because it is manual instead of an automatic? In general, are manual transmission Hondas more reliable than their automatic counterparts?
Yes the manual transmission option is good if you are willing to give up on the comfort of driving automatic.
I know how to drive stick so yes 100 percent certain, I like them better then automatics anyways. Just wanted to know the reliability difference between those transmissions when it comes to Honda.
Well obviously you know how to drive manual when you're asking about it, and I did say that the manual transmission is a good option which means it is more reliable. I said giving up comfort of automatic because if you live in a busy city with a lot of stop and go traffic then automatic is a better choice (I personally haven't bought manual because of where I live).
The combination of a 4 cylinder Honda engine with a manual transmission is bulletproof.
FWIW. I’m still rollin’ in my 1999 Honda Accord 4 Cylinder w/ Manual Transmission. 275K+ miles since the beginning.
Just kept up with the basic maintenance for the most part.
I changed the clutch at around 150K miles, as these are a wear item.
And one of the clutch cylinders (either master or slave, I can’t remember), failed at around 225K+ miles. And got that fixed. Which is also a wear item.
But the manual transmission itself and the engine, have both been solid.
The only thing I am dealing with is minor oil leaks from a seal/gasket of the engine and the axle seals, which is expected in a 20+ year old car.
I plan on taking care of all these when it is time for my next clutch.
Suffice it to say that just about any manual transmission is inherently more reliable than an automatic. And at this point in time, they have just about been perfected. I have rented automatic transmission cars but have never owned one and never want to. If I can't get a vehicle with a manual trans, I'll stop driving.
