Been using Vitz CVT for the last 03 years, bought from a colleague who directly imported it at 48K driven from japan. It is 116,000 KM driven in total. First CVT change at 55K km in karachi, second at 105k KM karachi.
The rubber band effect is there true, but in city driving you dont feel it much until unless you are a heavy foot driver.
I completely disagree that it is hard to maintain speed of CVT it is very very convenient. CVT keeps the engine at optimum Torque for best efficiency.
IT has sport mode that really allows you to push it.
I Love Manual but it was a hassle selling my Manual Corolla as people really are into auto these days. manual is bought for drivers/transporters as those cars are driven high miles and abused.
For a single user if you keep up with the maint. schedule it will not give you any problem for a good 200k kms.
So you decide if you want the rush (1.3l commuter vehicle) and driving pleasure or broader convenience considering that ladies in the house wuld also take it out for a spin.
Considering your driving route see if you average less than 20kph then auto and if you average 30+ Kph then manual. in between is your call
