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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18435 messages,  Last post on Jun 18, 2013 at 3:41 PM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 915 of 1845

#9134 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [busiris] by targettuning

Mar 18, 2008 (5:51 am)

Replying to: busiris (Mar 17, 2008 3:29 pm)
I subscribe to CD (Car Driver) magazine and the Apr 08 issue had a test of mainstream I-4 cylinder family sedans. As a part of the specification sheet is a "noise level" section recorded in db at idle at full throttle acceleration and at 70 mph cruise. Oddly enough the actual measured sound levels (in db) between a 2008 Honda Accord EX (190hp 2.4 liter I-4) and a 2008 Ford Fusion SEL (160 hp 2.3 liter I-4) shows the Fusion to be 1 db quieter idle (at 42 db)...tied with the Honda full throttle (at 73 db) and 1 db noisier (at 69 db verses 68 db) than the Honda at 70 mph cruise. Typically the Honda is thought to be a quiet car with the "most refined" I-4 in the industry but.... And although the 2009 Sonata is considerably quieter idle (38 db) than either it is actually 1 db noisier than the Fusion on full throttle (74 db verses 73 db) and tied with the Accord. Subjectively, after renting both Fusion/Milan I-4's and a 2007 Sonata I-4 I complained about the Fusion/Milan being noisy and praised the Sonata for being quiet. Maybe its the nature or quality of the "noise"? Who woulda guessed it??? I still feel like the Sonata is quieter in spite of the measured numbers and that the induction noise of the Fusion/Milan is annoying to me.

#9135 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [targettuning] by hackd

Mar 18, 2008 (6:35 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 17, 2008 9:53 am)
Your comment above brought back memories as the Milan engine noise mentioned was the reason I did not purchase the Milan Premier. For some reason from a dead stop it was slightly loud as you mention but also unpleasent to my ear. Beyond that engine noise it was a very nice car for the price. I ended up with the Subaru Legacy Limited which has the 4 Cylinder Turbo engine which I really find enjoyable. Slightly less MPG (high for AWD car) and more expensive then the Milan but drives like a luxury car which sold me.

#9136 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [targettuning] by backy

Mar 18, 2008 (7:31 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 18, 2008 5:51 am)
Maybe its the nature or quality of the "noise"?
 
I think that is it. The Accord, and in fact Hondas in general, are noted for their tire/road noise. You see that comment all the time in reviews. But the engines are praised for being very smooth. So the 1 db extra noise at 70 mph cruise for the Fusion could be more engine noise than for the Accord, which could have a quieter engine and more road noise. And maybe people don't consider road noise as objectionable as engine noise. For me, it'a all noise. And I also found the Sonata (even the pre-2009 models) quieter overall than the Accord. The Camry is pretty hushed also.

#9137 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [targettuning] by thegraduate

Mar 18, 2008 (7:58 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 18, 2008 5:51 am)
Typically the Honda is thought to be a quiet car
 
BY WHO? HAHAHAHAHA I've heard Honda's road noise complaints on here for a long time! Honda has never been "the quiet car," that's the Camry, and it's Korean friend the Sonata (which has followed the Camry in noise and ride tuning).
 
This has to do with the amount of sound insulation Honda uses in its cabins (which has always been less than many of its competitors). It doesn't mean the engines aren't refined; they are among the smoothest and most refined through the rev-range that I've found (never boomy, buzzy, or thrashy). Drive a Chevy Cobalt with the 2.2 Ecotec; that's NOT a refined engine.

#9138 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [akirby] by sc5i

Mar 18, 2008 (8:40 am)

Replying to: akirby (Mar 17, 2008 2:43 pm)
For sure, the Fusion will get the 2.5 with a stick don't know if it will be a 6-speed or not. I'd say closer to Feb of 2009 before we start to see them.

#9139 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [thegraduate] by targettuning

Mar 18, 2008 (8:45 am)

Replying to: thegraduate (Mar 18, 2008 7:58 am)
Read a bit further to finish my thought: "with the most refined I-4 in the industry" If this engine is noisy at idle (and it has been measured to be) and produces at best "average" noise at full throttle then that takes away from its overall perception as being refined, no? I was referring to engine noise mostly, not cabin noise, when I composed my previous post since I was complaining about the Milan having objectionable (to me) induction noise on acceleration.

#9140 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [busiris] by kernick

Mar 18, 2008 (10:07 am)

Replying to: busiris (Mar 17, 2008 3:29 pm)
You know, it seems that all 4-cylinders are noisier than the corresponding 6 cylinder models, regardless what manufacturer/model is being considered.
 
You see those knobs in the middle of the console, turn them. Mine are connected to a thing that says BOSE. There must be some music in the world that you like?

#9141 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [kernick] by hackd

Mar 18, 2008 (10:29 am)

Replying to: kernick (Mar 18, 2008 10:07 am)
You should not have to drive a car every day with the radio blasting to cover road noise that bothers you. What happens when you actually want to have a lengthy conversation with someone in the car. In the end, however, I would imagine most people would get used to the road noise in their car..similar to people who live in the city and seem to thrive on the noises heard every day.

#9142 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [targettuning] by thegraduate

Mar 18, 2008 (10:38 am)

Replying to: targettuning (Mar 18, 2008 8:45 am)
Read a bit further to finish my thought: "with the most refined I-4 in the industry" If this engine is noisy at idle (and it has been measured to be) and produces at best "average" noise at full throttle then that takes away from its overall perception as being refined, no?
 
No.
 
Put the most refined and quiet engine in your living room, and it will seem quite loud. It doesn't mean it is a loud engine relative to the competition, but rather that it is not insulated as much as its competition.

#9143 of 18435 Re: rented a Mercury Milan [hackd] by kernick

Mar 18, 2008 (11:44 am)

Replying to: hackd (Mar 18, 2008 10:29 am)
You should not have to drive a car every day with the radio blasting to cover road noise that bothers you.
 
I thought the issue was engine-noise, and not road-noise. Road-noise I'd assume is due to the tires, suspension, thickness of glass, wind whistling over the mirrors. Engine noise would be the engine only. You can have 1 or the other or both, or neither. I have a 4-cyl car, the engine sounds fine and is very muted at the few times I've had the radio down. There's a nice turbo sound to it also. But I don't listen to the road or engine, I listen to the radio. And there isn't that much road or engine noise that I can't play and enjoy the radio moderately and still have a conversation.
 
Now if you need to gun the 4-cyl to high revs, then yes you may have a noise issue. Try getting a more powerful 4-cyl then. I don't rev over 3,000 rpm and I have plenty of power. Shop for a car with a direct injection engine.

Messages Page 915 of 1845

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