Car venting and indecisiveness

[Triumph]

I'm having trouble figuring out what I want to do. My 2009 GTI is at 125,000 miles. Runs great, and just put 1200 bucks into it with new tires and brakes. Drives awesome, love the steering, handling, and power. Hatchback is super handy. But....I really want a quieter car. I want something Lexus quiet. And the GTI's appearance is showing its age. The number of dents, dings, curb rash, and scratches has gotten to the point where I can no longer consider it a nice car.

So the obvious choice would be to upgrade to a new 7th gen GTI. Probably not a lot quieter, but the thing really stopping me is that car just doesn't excite me. I haven't test driven one yet, but just looking at it, I don't really want it. I want something totally different, like a Chevy Volt or Chevy Colorado, or maybe a used S class. How bout a Hyundai Genesis? Maybe a V6 Accord. Or how about a Dodge 1500 with the diesel? I'm all over the map.

 

[sttubs]

Used Lexus?

 

[leper84]

The new Mustangs are exceptionally quiet, 5.0 included. Worth a test drive. The interior on the premium trim is astounding for a pony car.

 

[XavierMace]

If you want Lexus quiet, why not get a used Lexus?

 

[Bubbleawsome]

The 2015+ Genesis with a 5.0 v8 might be something you want. Not sure exactly what your price range is. If you want to live out winter in your current car some dynomat might be a worthwhile investment for noise deadening.

 

[Evilviking]

Accord for quite, cheap luxury or maybe a wrx if you want more pep

 

[Meghan54]

Accord for quite, cheap luxury or maybe a wrx if you want more pep

Sorry, but that made me chuckle...an Accord quiet. That's one thing Honda's never been accused of being...quiet.

If you want Lexus quiet, buy a 2 yr. old Lexus just off lease as a certified car. Warranty out to 100k miles...and quiet.

 

[HitAnyKey]

It is settled, buy a Lexus

 

[Triumph]

Yes but which Lexus? Talking early 2000-present. No ES's though, I've always had a particular hatred for the styling of that car.

 

[Yuriman]

I really like the Volt and they're cheap right now due to gas prices. Electric torque is great. Test drive one and see what you think.

 

[rstrohkirch]

What is your budget.

 

[razel]

Interested in quiet meaning reduced road noise? That is something you can easily accomplish. I did this to my noisy weekend ride. It actually started out as a way to improve sound quality of the system by reducing the noise floor, but it improves driving the car in general. Thin neoprene sheets in the doors that matches the vapor wrap and in the footwell/firewall underneath the dash between you and the engine. In my daily driver, I also put neoprene over the wheel wells in the truck. No need to tack down or anything, just loosen a bolt, stick a larger washer and use that to hold it in place.

While your at it, most cars do have padding underneath the floor, but if it too thin, feel free to add that too. If you had a spill or stink on the floor you can use that opportunity to wash the old carpet. Best of luck.

 

[Herr Kutz]

The Edge and the Fusion are generally regarded as being pretty quiet based on the many reviews I've read. But yeah, if you want quiet, skip anything from Honda.

 

[leper84]

Yes but which Lexus? Talking early 2000-present. No ES's though, I've always had a particular hatred for the styling of that car.

LS460?

 

[Demo24]

Sorry, but that made me chuckle...an Accord quiet. That's one thing Honda's never been accused of being...quiet.

If you want Lexus quiet, buy a 2 yr. old Lexus just off lease as a certified car. Warranty out to 100k miles...and quiet.

Actually you'd be amazed if you go drive the new Honda's, I surely was. We drove a v6 accord not long ago and it was impressively quiet on the highway. The new Pilot is also supposed to be similarly quiet.

Per Car and Driver: "It’s quiet inside, with this Accord registering the same sound level at 70 mph—69 decibels—as a Mercedes-Benz S-class." That was the v6 model, not sure if the base is louder.


Kind of need to know what budget you're looking at and if you're wanting a sporty car or not. I've got a 7th gen GTI and I feel it's pretty good on the sound level. It all greatly depends on tires and road surfaces.

 

[Triumph]

I'm thinking something like a mid 2000's and up Impala. Super cheap, comfy, reliable, quiet, not a drop of sporting pretension. You can even find it with a bench seat and steering wheel shifter!

That looks great for a road trip.

 

[evident]

Lexus GS350 is a great car

 

[rstrohkirch]

I don't think that model of impala is quiet at all in regards to road noise. A lot of newer vehicles are much quieter than their early/mid 2000 counter parts.

 

[HitAnyKey]

GTI to Impala. I think this thread has gone off the road. We agree on Lexus. Now focus Grasshopper.

 

[Triumph]

GTI to Impala. I think this thread has gone off the road. We agree on Lexus. Now focus Grasshopper.

Hah, I said I was interested in a departure! I've had Impalas like that as rental cars and found them quiet and comfortable. Maybe my memory is not too good. What else in that range of car is going to be a great highway car? And nobody say Camry, that I absolutely refuse to succumb to.

 

[agent00f]

Hah, I said I was interested in a departure! I've had Impalas like that as rental cars and found them quiet and comfortable. Maybe my memory is not too good. What else in that range of car is going to be a great highway car? And nobody say Camry, that I absolutely refuse to succumb to.

At this point you should go test some cars instead of speculating on paper. Try to keep in mind you're not obligated to buy while doing so.

 

[Triumph]

How about a 2007-2009 Mercedes E class? Plenty of those around for cheap. And it's a benz!
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5889929817.html

 

[gorcorps]

Actually you'd be amazed if you go drive the new Honda's, I surely was. We drove a v6 accord not long ago and it was impressively quiet on the highway. The new Pilot is also supposed to be similarly quiet.

Per Car and Driver: "It’s quiet inside, with this Accord registering the same sound level at 70 mph—69 decibels—as a Mercedes-Benz S-class." That was the v6 model, not sure if the base is louder.


Kind of need to know what budget you're looking at and if you're wanting a sporty car or not. I've got a 7th gen GTI and I feel it's pretty good on the sound level. It all greatly depends on tires and road surfaces.

Honda and Toyota have been trying to get their road noise down in the last couple years. Given that the OP is looking at older cars it won't help, but going forward it's something to keep in mind.

 

[NutBucket]

New maybe. We test drove a new 2012 Pilot and as much as I like Honda I was appalled by the road noise. Ended up buying a GMC.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

The new Mustangs are exceptionally quiet, 5.0 included. Worth a test drive. The interior on the premium trim is astounding for a pony car.

It's all about making the noise on the outside of the Frods, not the inside.