Quiet car in the used, non-luxury segment, hatchback preferred

pennylane

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2002
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Hello,
I'm in need of a car but am no car junkie. I value quiet interiors above all (including engine noise, road noise, wind noise), especially on the freeway. I also would like good gas mileage. I live in California and do not travel in the snow. I am perfectly fine with FWD. I don't care too much about a fun drive, though I wouldn't mind. I'd prefer a hatchback, but would be okay with a smaller sedan. I'm mostly just transporting myself, so I don't need/want a big car. I'm hoping to spend $15ish-k or less for a 2009 or later car.

I'm just curious what's out there. I know quiet cars are associated with the luxury segment, but I'm wondering what cars in my price range would be considered quiet.

I was mainly looking at a recent Ford Focus Hatchback or a VW Golf. What else should I look for?

Thanks.
 
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Jimzz

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2012
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Yea i was going to say the Ford Focus pops into mind.
I would not touch a VW for anything IMO.


Can't really think of anything else without going high end/costly or basic low end.
Did/does Hyundia have a hatchback? Maybe thats also an economy car I am thinking?
 

gus6464

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2005
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Yea i was going to say the Ford Focus pops into mind.
I would not touch a VW for anything IMO.


Can't really think of anything else without going high end/costly or basic low end.
Did/does Hyundia have a hatchback? Maybe thats also an economy car I am thinking?

There's a new Elantra Hatch.

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicles/2013/elantra-gt/?

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kitatech

Senior member
Jan 7, 2013
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Penny, you just described my 2005 Camry LE...dead quiet interior, silky-smooth 4cyl engine, (same can be said of the clutch/manual tranny), tight suspension and body structure, 24+/34+ mpg and burns no oil....I got mine last Oct. with 100k miles for $7K out the door....

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The 2005/2006 are among the best model years for the Camry....better than the 2007-2011 series.
 
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pennylane

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2002
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Thanks for the replies so far.
gus6464, how come you don't like VW's?
kitatech, I have nothing against Camry's, but they are a bit big and I don't see any 2005-06 versions in my area. What happened with the 2007-11 version?
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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Most modern interiors are fairly quiet...in some respects. They've come a long way with materials and the way things are assembled. Even though the materials/methods are often designed to be as cheap as possible, they've also been refined over decades. It's hard to find a car that won't generate the occasional (and sometimes repetitive) squeak between plastic parts, but on the whole, it's way better than it was ten years ago.

However, if you're talking about road (and sometimes wind) noise...good luck in this segment. Insulation both sparse and of the cheap variety, carpets are thin. Non-structural sheetmetal is thin. However, there is still some benefit that has come from technological advancements, as far as the building of the chassis is concerned.

I would just go out and start driving. Newer Golfs are decent; Mk5+ VW's seem to be a big leap in quality over the 3's and 4's. IMO they're a bit overpriced for what you get, though. When I was last shopping cars, the whole '15k Jettas/Golfs' advertising was a load of shit...nothing on the lots under 20k, and those were lacking in comparison to what you could get from the Japanese and domestics (read: Ford).

The Focus is a really good choice given your criteria. In any area other than styling (sorry, I just can't dig the looks of the newer Focus), I think they rival the VW's in every area. Good performance and handling, very solid interior, and you should be able to get more amenities for less money. New, that is...not sure how the uses market is looking on those. Or VW for that matter...they used to lose value rather faster, which was actually a good thing for a potential buyer. But that may have changed.
 

kitatech

Senior member
Jan 7, 2013
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Thanks for the replies so far.

kitatech, I have nothing against Camry's, but they are a bit big and I don't see any 2005-06 versions in my area. What happened with the 2007-11 version?

I understand perfectly....the Kitacam is the biggest car of the 14 I've owned...
but at 100k miles it is clearly be best/most sophisticated and feels as if it just rolled off the showroom floor...

2005/06 were the last version of their generation that began in 2002. Most people would recommend the last years of any model's generation.

2007 marked the introduction of a new generation of Camrys....with cheaper interior and some mechanical problems...
 

Kroze

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2001
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Penny, you just described my 2005 Camry LE...dead quiet interior, silky-smooth 4cyl engine, (same can be said of the clutch/manual tranny), tight suspension and body structure, 24+/34+ mpg and burns no oil....I got mine last Oct. with 100k miles for $7K out the door....

campfe.jpg


mg2504rs.jpg


The 2005/2006 are among the best model years for the Camry....better than the 2007-2011 series.

What makes the 2005-06 better than the newer ones?
 

xSkyDrAx

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
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Hatch wise you can probably find either Ford Focus', Toyota Matrix's, or Mazda 3's for around that price.

I know the Mazda 3 has a bit sportier suspension than others in its class so slightly more fun to drive but I would imagine totally fine for the average driver.

I see a lot of Matrix's around here in socal so they seem fairly popular though not sure how they drive but since it's a Toyota I'm sure it's good for what you're looking for probably the same about the Focus also.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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The Focus isn't tremendously different from the 3. I don't know how much each company actually put into tuning the suspension of the base models (joint Ford/Mazda/Volvo chassis). I haven't driven many new Focuses, but I drove as shitpile of Volvo S40's, and they feel very similar to the 3.
 

kitatech

Senior member
Jan 7, 2013
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What makes the 2005-06 better than the newer ones?

The newest gen of Camrys (2012 and newer) is better than the previous one...bugs worked out...but no stick shift... how good can that be?....
 
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vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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I love hatchbacks but one unfortunate side effect of their utility is you forsake that function for added road noise. A trunk helps buffer noise from the rear of the car and keeps the cabin a bit more quiet. Hatches are essentially open in the back and are just generally more noisy.

A matrix or pontiac vibe (matrix clone) are likely going to be better bets. Toyota does pretty good with road noise vs other brands.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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Pay me a grand and I'll fly out, strip the interior, cover the floors in sound deadening, and probably put a little in your doors for good measure, too.

Lot cheaper than buying an old-ass Mercedes that I would bet money would register higher on a dB meter inside than a freakin' Versa/Yaris/Fit.

edit: The Vibe is pretty awesome, IMO. Matrix, too, but the Vibes go for cheaper. Very utilitarian, great for hauling stuff...but one noisy fucker. Also, I think he can do better with his budget. But I've got an '03 in the family with 100k...probably would sell for 3-4k, tops, I'm guessing? And it's rock solid. Worst part is the noisy-ass engine, which sounds like it desperately needs a valve adjustment...unfortunately, Toyota didn't include any provisions for one. You have to disassemble everything and change out parts (which means you need a 'master set' of cam followers to get the right clearances).
 
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vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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One thing to think about too is that you can always buy a car and then go aftermarket with sound deadening treatment in the doors and other areas. Probably several hundred dollars worth of added cost, but if a more quiet interior is what you desire, then that's how to luxury it on a budget.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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That's what I just said. :D

FWIW, if OP does not want to buy me a plane ticket, interior disassembly on that level is not that hard. The floor makes the biggest difference, and that basically consists of removing the front seats (or just unbolting and working around- four bolts a piece) and the sill plates.

Seat bottom in the rear of most cars just pops out. Sometimes has a few bolts in hatchback models. Consoles are rarely difficult. Add in the removal of those two bits, as well, and you can pull the carpet completely out and go to town with as much foil-backed butyl rubber as you can buy.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
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There's no way any of the economy cars mentioned are quieter than the Merc I suggested regardless of how new they are. Fuel economy is not achieved by making cars quiet (heavy). While it may not be the best economic choice, there is no doubt it will be quiet. Besides, $3k for the car makes for a big rainy day fund.

For something more...Japanese, try a older Lexus LS400. Those are cheap, quiet and reliable.
 

phucheneh

Diamond Member
Jun 30, 2012
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Right, I don't ever hear noises in twenty year old cars. Not a bit.

By your reasoning, he should just drive a bank vault. LA LA LA LA IF I CAN'T HEAR IT I DO NOT CARE LALALA *wheels fall off*.
 

power_hour

Senior member
Oct 16, 2010
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I love hatchbacks but one unfortunate side effect of their utility is you forsake that function for added road noise. A trunk helps buffer noise from the rear of the car and keeps the cabin a bit more quiet. Hatches are essentially open in the back and are just generally more noisy.

A matrix or pontiac vibe (matrix clone) are likely going to be better bets. Toyota does pretty good with road noise vs other brands.

Exactly. Also, see if you can find a Suzuki SX4. Mind you hatchbacks were never really meant to be quiet and smooth. Quite the opposite. I think some of the engineering goes into making the experience a bit more sporty with little regard for NMH.
 

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
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My girlfriend has a 09 Matrix. Its a great car zero mechanical issues so far and very low road noise, its at 80,000kms so far.

I would reccomend getting the rubberized undercoating applied as for the first week after she bought it we were waiting for an appointment to get this applied and it made a very noticeable difference in road noise after we had it applied.

Also i would look into a XR model(i believe this is a S model in the US) over a base model as the 1.8L engine is rather lacking in performance but the 2.4L feels rather peppy and is more fun to drive.

Gas mileage is only mediocre though, my 94 Integra GSR gets better gas mileage though with a smaller 1.8L engine and 500lbs lighter as well, and its a 5 speed the matrix is a auto.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,104
597
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Right, I don't ever hear noises in twenty year old cars. Not a bit.

By your reasoning, he should just drive a bank vault. LA LA LA LA IF I CAN'T HEAR IT I DO NOT CARE LALALA *wheels fall off*.
If you want a quiet interior in the city then yes, you basically need a "bank vault". Again, the Benz might be fine for someone willing to tinker; its basically a well designed car. The LS400 is pretty bulletproof. I wouldn't hesitate to pick one up if I was looking for large sedan. Certainly better/nicer than a Crown Vic.