What are the most indestructible transmissions in each of these categories: automatic, manual, CVT, and dual clutch transmissions?
Adding gearbox expert @Dan to this discussion
Automatics: WITHOUT A DOUBT, it's definitely the Toyota A40 series.
These automatic transmission were extraordinarily simple, some didn't have a converter lockup and some didn't even have a digital control system. These transmissions made from the late 80s until the mid 2000's. and they were used everywhere and in everything from the Toyota Crown, HiLux, Land Cruiser, Supra and the Mazda Miata and Mistubsihi trucks.
All you have to do is change the super cheap fluid every 60k miles and even then it still would easily last you 300,000 miles.
Manual: the manual that was used in the Supra with the JZ engine and the GTR. GETRAG V160/161 (or the 233).
Although another honorable mention is the VOLVO M66 - One of the last luxury manuals still made.
the M66 were made for as long as I can remember and they're just awesome not to forget shifter design on the R models is the best I have ever seen (According to people who have swapped their transmission to a M66 "For those interested in the M66 swap, it was worth all of the pain" cause it is just a wonderful driving experience IMO)
CVT: Well there isn't really an "indestructible" one but, if I had a gun pointed to my head and the bullet wouldn't be an option - I'd get a Prius CVT - not because the CVT unit is good (quite honestly it's not - It's just a regular AISIN) but because the Hybrid drive system helps avoid wearing it by using a weak smooth electric motor for take off and not the gasoline engine.
DCT: there isn't any "indestructible" one, if I'm being honest all DCTs are easily destructible - there are friction packs and a lot of complex mechanical-electric equipment. with that being said, I herd Honda makes a dual clutch automatic that's equipped with a torque convertor (that feeds the power to the dual clutch assembly) - but that's IMO hardly even a DCT (pretty much an automatic just with a different reduction mechanism) and reliability is unknown.
Personally I'd pick (and I do own and drive a car with this gearbox) the 6DCT250 There was a class action lawsuit about it, It's not know for driving well, It does burn it's clutch packs, but it just costs not much at all to repair (unlike a DSG) and they seem to serve reasonably well - Just get one made after 2013 when they ironed out the internal mechanical issues and also I would get only one that's installed on a diesel.
Your experience may very drastically, this is IMO.
The Volvo M66 shifter from the S60R and other R series cars. - It's beautiful.
It just fit's the "vibe"
@DayWalker thanks for letting me know of this fantastic question
@Dan Thanks for the detailed responses! And the pic of that Volvo shifter! Never had I seen that befor.
For automatic I'd have to go with Chevy Powerglide or Chrysler Torqueflite 727.
Best automatic by far is an Allison transmission.
I’ve honestly never seen a “bad” manual in all the trucks I’ve been around or driven. It’s really on the drivers habits.
CVT I think Honda takes that one. More so in their newer vehicles.
Get out of here with that DCT crap haha.
Automatic: ZF 8-speed
Manual: Ford 5-speed
CVT: I'm not a fan of those- Toyota for a guess
DCT: I'm not sure because I haven't driven many of those.
I think the Prius CVT seems pretty indestructible. But it’s not your typical CVT. It’s an eCVT.