I think I have owned about 20 cars in my life, many of them automatics.
The CVT doesn't really bother me, it is not as good as some regular autos I have driven and not as bad as some of them either. The "simulated" shifts are not bad at all in my opinion.
Wish I could have a manual though (shoulder prevents it) getting old sucks.
I am also concerned with the longevity of the CVT.
What I do find odd is that many car manufacturers get more torque from a car vs. horse power. For example the new Impreza has 150 or so hp. but the tq. is in the 140s. Many car companies get more tq. from their cars with less hp. Why have the CVT if it isn't transferring the hp. into more tq.?