Quietest Car Available?

[Svenn]

I've always been interested in what the quietest car out there is... especially since I have long drives in Thailand. I'm usually told it's a Lexus LS... but I'm wondering if it would be more economical to just get a cheap Corolla or something and get thicker windows, floor panels, etc. to get the same effect.

[ignis]

I've always been interested in what the quietest car out there is... especially since I have long drives in Thailand. I'm usually told it's a Lexus LS... but I'm wondering if it would be more economical to just get a cheap Corolla or something and get thicker windows, floor panels, etc. to get the same effect.

Honda Insight hybrid petrol/electric, or the Toyota hybrid, I would have thought

"Thailand is the first ASEAN d country to build hybrid vehicles. As the Camry has received a warm welcome from Thai customers, we are sure these customers will be satisfied not only with the product but also with its environmental performance", said TMT President Mitsuhiro Sonoda at a joint press conference in Bangkok with Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

[kartman]

I've always been interested in what the quietest car out there is... especially since I have long drives in Thailand. I'm usually told it's a Lexus LS... but I'm wondering if it would be more economical to just get a cheap Corolla or something and get thicker windows, floor panels, etc. to get the same effect.

Honda Insight hybrid petrol/electric, or the Toyota hybrid, I would have thought

"Thailand is the first ASEAN d country to build hybrid vehicles. As the Camry has received a warm welcome from Thai customers, we are sure these customers will be satisfied not only with the product but also with its environmental performance", said TMT President Mitsuhiro Sonoda at a joint press conference in Bangkok with Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Don't think you would use the electric much on long journeys unless you plan on taking 3 days each way .

[Interman]

I've always been interested in what the quietest car out there is... especially since I have long drives in Thailand. I'm usually told it's a Lexus LS... but I'm wondering if it would be more economical to just get a cheap Corolla or something and get thicker windows, floor panels, etc. to get the same effect.

Honda Insight hybrid petrol/electric, or the Toyota hybrid, I would have thought

"Thailand is the first ASEAN d country to build hybrid vehicles. As the Camry has received a warm welcome from Thai customers, we are sure these customers will be satisfied not only with the product but also with its environmental performance", said TMT President Mitsuhiro Sonoda at a joint press conference in Bangkok with Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Don't think you would use the electric much on long journeys unless you plan on taking 3 days each way .

anyways ,,, so back to the topic,, my friends 2008 civic was quiet but probably no where the same as a lexus or BMW. If all your thinking of is outside noise I definetly would not buy a small cheap end car. I've been in the Toyota Vios and the older version of the Honda City and they were noisy as hel_l.

[PeaceBlondie]

My old junior high friend, a tenured professor at a major uni, went almost stone deaf. Two hearing aids, and he still could not distinguish sounds well. He bought a certain Cadillac, but I bet a Lexus is much quieter than a Corolla. In fact, I think a Lexus was his second choice.

[BSJ]

So how about a Tesla all electric?

[hulahula85]

You want to reduce interior noise?

Have to order some Dynamatt and install it EVERYWHERE in the cabin. Under the carpet, behind the rear seats, even above the headliner. Also get more aerodynamic mirrors, high pressure tires with a less radical tread design, build a sort of guard over the windshield wipers when they're lowered so wind doesn't pass through them, and if the car is used, replace ALL the suspension and body bushings.

[Svenn]

You want to reduce interior noise?

Have to order some Dynamatt and install it EVERYWHERE in the cabin. Under the carpet, behind the rear seats, even above the headliner. Also get more aerodynamic mirrors, high pressure tires with a less radical tread design, build a sort of guard over the windshield wipers when they're lowered so wind doesn't pass through them, and if the car is used, replace ALL the suspension and body bushings.

That's what I was imagining...how much would all these alteration cost roughly? getting thicker windows and windshield seems like it'd be the hardest part, especially if i want to lower then windows.

[stingray]

You want to reduce interior noise?

Have to order some Dynamatt and install it EVERYWHERE in the cabin. Under the carpet, behind the rear seats, even above the headliner. Also get more aerodynamic mirrors, high pressure tires with a less radical tread design, build a sort of guard over the windshield wipers when they're lowered so wind doesn't pass through them, and if the car is used, replace ALL the suspension and body bushings.

That's what I was imagining...how much would all these alteration cost roughly? getting thicker windows and windshield seems like it'd be the hardest part, especially if i want to lower then windows.

A push car!! (Joke)

A lexus is a good choice, LS or ES models. For example: A four cylinder car always have some engine vibrations on idle speed and getting noisy on high rpm's. V6 or V8 should be fperfect. It's depend on the exhoust system. V8 can be a nice deep blubbering sound when you separate the exhousts (left and right). If you put them together in one pipe and 3 mufflers you almost not hear any noise anymore. More cylinder mor smooth. Therefore a V12 Jag is smooth like a cat. Insulation is another big factor. Expensive cars, like BMW, Lexus or Benz are insulated. A cheap Jazz with 0.05 mm steel and plastic isn't. If you can't afford a Lexus, Bemer or Merc, go look around for a 1998 Toyota Crown. They have 2 or 3 liter models. Both are 6 cylinder 24 valves. both are very reliable, smooth and strong cars. Excellent interior and no noisy. They sell arround 500 or 600 k in BKK.

Mosthly they are in good nic.

[hulahula85]

You want to reduce interior noise?

Have to order some Dynamatt and install it EVERYWHERE in the cabin. Under the carpet, behind the rear seats, even above the headliner. Also get more aerodynamic mirrors, high pressure tires with a less radical tread design, build a sort of guard over the windshield wipers when they're lowered so wind doesn't pass through them, and if the car is used, replace ALL the suspension and body bushings.

That's what I was imagining...how much would all these alteration cost roughly? getting thicker windows and windshield seems like it'd be the hardest part, especially if i want to lower then windows.

It's not so much the thicker glass that's going to help. I worked as a service manager at a Lexus dealership before and I can tell you now, the glass out of an LS is no thicker than the glass in a camry. It's all about the insulation around major NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) producing components. I.E. the steering shaft, brake pedal, transmission shifter, and front and rear subframe and suspension mounts.

I haven't seen Dynamatt for sale in Thailand although i'm sure a lot of the bigger car audio shops sell something similar. Dynamatt is usually used in cars with large sound systems, to keep the car from rattling while the bass is pumping. This can include installing the matting inside the doors, and finding slightly thicker door frame weatherstripping.

Of course it depends on the car that you have. It doesn't really matter about what engine is in the car, it's more how the engine, exhaust, and drivetrain are separated from the passenger compartment. A regular Corolla will just have standard rubber subframe mounts and rubber exhaust hanger mounts that won't really help to keep noise out of the passenger compartment. A Lexus or Mercedes will have much better quality mounts that isolate the vibration and noise.

So depending on what car you get, if it's used and/or a cheaper built car, you'll have to spend more to isolate the NVH producing components of the vehicle, which can go as far as taking apart the dashboard to install soundproof Dynamatt next to the firewall to muffle the sounds produced in the engine compartment. It doesn't matter how many cylinders the car has, because modern car manufacturers include balance shafts in engines that create more vibration because of uneven firing patterns and block design.

Back in the USA you'd expect to pay around $1300-$2000 for a full Dynamatt install if you find someone that doesn't charge a lot for labor.

Best thing i can recommend to you is find a well known car-audio installer in your area and see if they do soundproof insulation.

[ignis]

No idea about the USA, but going back to the 60's in the UK we had a Triumph 2000, they were advertised as 'you can hear a pin drip at 70 MPH'

They were 6 cylinder engines, I owned a Mk1 and a Mk 2 2.5 petrol injection, I feel sure my present Audi A6 injection has more noise then the Triumph of 35 year ago.

[ignis]

Don't think you would use the electric much on long journeys unless you plan on taking 3 days each way

Remember reading a year or two ago of someone going from BKK to CM and back in the Honda Insight and only using 17 liters of petrol, I thought the idea of the Hybrid was the petrol engine only kicked in when you wanted to get up to speed faster? so when you dive say at 120 after you got there using both motors the electric motor would keep you there all day?

[Cuban]

If you are talking about in the cabin noise reduction, consider ripping out the interior and getting it completely relined in thick felt. You will need to inspect the work before the interior is refitted as they will skimp on the detail, the difficult holes and access ports between the cabin and engine compartment. Don't forget the roof space. Thicker windows - no.

Sound deadening felt in the engine bay will help - but be aware of affecting the air flow - you might not hear the engine overheat!

HTH.

[hulahula85]

If you are talking about in the cabin noise reduction, consider ripping out the interior and getting it completely relined in thick felt. You will need to inspect the work before the interior is refitted as they will skimp on the detail, the difficult holes and access ports between the cabin and engine compartment. Don't forget the roof space. Thicker windows - no.

Sound deadening felt in the engine bay will help - but be aware of affecting the air flow - you might not hear the engine overheat!

HTH.

Cuban that's what i recommended. Dynamatt is the same concept but it's not as heat-insulating as thick felt. It's also designed to absorb sound and vibration.

If you HEAR the engine overheat, it's already way too late. And lining the exterior firewall with felt is just a bad idea all around

[BSJ]

Pyrotek in Australia have a sound barrier material. Maybe worth your while contacting them.

Just about anything would be better than using body schultz and jute matting!

[sned]

Noise canceling headphones from Bose do an excellent job