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Hi, I saw in an earlier forum question you had replied to avoid CVT transmissions and direct injection engines? - Why is this? It seems every car we've looked at so far, when calling the dealership they say they do have these. Thanks very much :-)

This is a very good question, and one that we've tried to address in some previous posts, but perhaps we should clarify in every discussion about these systems, as while they used to be problems, they are no longer.
If you are buying a new Japanese car today, a vast majority of them have CVT transmissions, but these days they're fine.
Manufacturers have spent considerable sums on R&D over the years and the technology has evolved from being quite troublesome to become reliable and long-lasting.
The main thing that changed for most was the links on the drive belts, which are constantly moving, going through a constantly changing drive radius and have varying shock loads applied. These used to crack and eventually break. The metallic make-up of the links is now much stronger and is such that the links hold together and don't let go.
In addition to internal major component upgrades, advances have also been made in the torque convertors which some models used and startup clutch packs used by others. In previous generations of CVT, these would apply excessive shock forces on take-off or down low, and would stress the belt. Some also now use clutch packs on the output side, which minimise shock through the belt or chain.
So, to summarise - they're no longer the problem they used to be. I guess like a lot of new technology, it sometimes takes a while to iron out the bugs, but this has now been done successfully.
With Direct Injection, similar philosophies apply and the technology is now vastly improved.
Early systems had big problems with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems. In order to keep emissions down, exhaust gas is recirculated back into the intake, which would cause engines to carbon up and choke up in early systems. This carbon build up could not be removed with the engine in situ and necessitated the cylinder head to be removed and other engine components dismantled to clean out the carbon.
Newer systems recirculate the gasses in a much more efficient manner. Improvements in almost every component have contributed to the carbon issue no longer being a problem. Variable valve timing, Intake systems, cylinder head and combustion chamber design and major advances in software and engine management systems have resulted in eliminating the problem.
I guess the quick answer to your question would have been that the new CVT transmissions and Direct Injected engines are no longer the problem they once were, but we felt a fuller explanation would be useful.

So would 2008 nissan Wingroad cvt be reliable? We got one at work done 221k now and drives no different from new. Very efficient on gas and gearbox seems as good as new. Your opinion?

Thank you so much for a really informative, and very easy to understand reply. Just a quick follow up question, we're looking at second hand options, so from what year onwards are the CVTs and direct injection engines no longer considered a problem?

This is not so clear cut, as technology has evolved and did not change overnight. Certainly, the CVT transmissions that began being used in new models from around 2009/2010 have been very reliable.
My concern about the Wingroad is that it was launched in 2005 so was not a new model in 2008. Being based on the Tiida, a model that had CVT problems (although the NZ new Tiida had a conventional auto which was fine), I'd be reluctant to recommend the Wingroad.
As I've said before, even though a particular model may be known for a particular problem, it doesn't mean to say that every one of them fails - just that there's a higher risk of failure with certain models and systems.
So, if pressed, I 'd say that new models launched from around 2009 have not caused the problems earlier ones did.

Hi
I am looking at buying a 2017 Toyota Corolla. Are there any problems with the CVT's on these model Corolla's