Has sound insulation gotten any better with the econocars?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I have a 2000 Toyoto Echo and it is by far the loudest car among anyone I know in terms of road/engine noise penetrating the cabin. I'm looking now for a used car when my current car bites the dust (probably not for another couple years though) and I was thinking about something along the lines of a Honda Fit (I really like hatchbacks for their utility). How's the sound insulation in today's econocars? Still shitty? I personally don't mind that much, but it's kind of embarrassing when I have passengers.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Sound insulation isn't the only factor. The tires on the car make a HUGE difference in overall road noise. If you have noticeably more road noise in one car compared to others no matter what tires you use, then it probably just lacks sound deadening.

If you're into DIY projects, you can always buy some Dynamat (expensive), RAAM mat (I think that's what it was called; middle ground) or Fat Mat (cheap and crappy), rip up the carpet, and go to town. Many audio enthusiasts go this route anyway (generally not the ones that buy an amp and a couple of large subs and call it a day).

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Yeah... it's not just the tires. My car has always been loud - engine sounds come through really easy, road noise, etc.

The DIY route - I'd also have to tear into my doors, right? And I don't see any insulation going on in the engine firewall area, so there's probably no way to lessen engine sounds, right?

 

[fleabag]

Well if you check out the hypermiling forums, you'd discover that when you put mods to make your car more aerodynamic such as an underbody cover to smooth out the underside, they found one of the positive side effects is much less wind noise on the highway and less road noise as well.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I think that sound insulation has gotten better since 2000 🙂

The UK version is called the Jazz, and reviews of the new model have been good.

 

[StageLeft]

I'm sure it's better. Your car won't officially "die" for many, many years, btw.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
I think that sound insulation has gotten better since 2000 🙂

The UK version is called the Yaris, and reviews of the new model have been good.

Fixed. The Echo is a 1st gen Yaris.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I wouldn't expect an econobox to have the best of sound deadening. Adds weight/cost/etc.

 

[Mide]

I have an 09 Fit and no...roadnoise on the freeway is still pretty bad.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
I wouldn't expect an econobox to have the best of sound deadening. Adds weight/cost/etc.

Yep. My Mazda6 was made out of metal as thin as tin cans and there was no sound deadening material in the doors, under the carpet etc. Adding the dynamat added 50lbs more to the car which translates into more shitty gas mileage.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
I wouldn't expect an econobox to have the best of sound deadening. Adds weight/cost/etc.

Yep. My Mazda6 was made out of metal as thin as tin cans and there was no sound deadening material in the doors, under the carpet etc. Adding the dynamat added 50lbs more to the car which translates into more shitty gas mileage.

50 lbs will not affect your gas mileage in any meaningful way...

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
I think that sound insulation has gotten better since 2000 🙂

The UK version is called the Yaris, and reviews of the new model have been good.

Fixed. The Echo is a 1st gen Yaris.

I think he was referring to the Jazz, the UK version of the Fit (which was referenced in the OP as a suitable replacement).

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
I wouldn't expect an econobox to have the best of sound deadening. Adds weight/cost/etc.

Yep. My Mazda6 was made out of metal as thin as tin cans and there was no sound deadening material in the doors, under the carpet etc. Adding the dynamat added 50lbs more to the car which translates into more shitty gas mileage.

50 lbs isn't going to affect your gas mileage in a non-negligible fashion...

Double negative FTL

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
I think that sound insulation has gotten better since 2000 🙂

The UK version is called the Yaris, and reviews of the new model have been good.

Fixed. The Echo is a 1st gen Yaris.

I think he was referring to the Jazz, the UK version of the Fit (which was referenced in the OP as a suitable replacement).

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: zoiks

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
I wouldn't expect an econobox to have the best of sound deadening. Adds weight/cost/etc.

Yep. My Mazda6 was made out of metal as thin as tin cans and there was no sound deadening material in the doors, under the carpet etc. Adding the dynamat added 50lbs more to the car which translates into more shitty gas mileage.

50 lbs isn't going to affect your gas mileage in a non-negligible fashion...

Double negative FTL

Edit was in a rush, fixed again to remove double negative.

 

[Draftee]

Originally posted by: Mide
I have an 09 Fit and no...roadnoise on the freeway is still pretty bad.

Well my 07 Fit roadnoise at high speed I'd rate as good. (on a scale of poor/fair/good/excellent). It is better than the CR-V, which has tire-roar.

According to overseas reviews of small car smoothness/quietness (out of 10):
Mazda2 8
Honda Jazz 7
Hyundai Getz 5
Mitsubishi Colt 5
Toyota Yaris 6
Volkswagen Polo 5
Suzuki Swift 6
Hyundai Accent 5
Ford Fiesta 6
Nissan Micra 6
Kia Rio 6
Proton Savvy 3

 

[FeuerFrei]

If that Echo is a 3-speed you're automatically going to have extra engine noise because it's working harder to maintain speed.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
I think that sound insulation has gotten better since 2000 🙂

The UK version is called the Jazz, and reviews of the new model have been good.

Fixed. The Echo is a 1st gen Yaris.

I was talking about the Honda Fit -> UK Jazz, since that is what his is thinking about moving too. Seems to be considered pretty quiet for an econobox. Haven't driven one...