Subaru Impreza cruising noise

[geg1992]

Hi All,
Looking at maybe buying a Subaru Impreza WRX.
Hopefully find one all standard including the exhaust.
I have tinnitus so have to be careful with loud noises - this probably puts a decent exhaust system out the window.


My main question is: what are these like with road noise? say on the motorway?
Are they noisy? My current car is about 80-90db which is on the limit really. I assumed these would be quieter standard as they're a saloon and probably better built.


If anybody is able to get a decibel reading that would be fantastic, as many iPhones have apps etc.


Any other fast cars for under 6-7K people would recommend that aren't too noisy?

[xRIEx]

I have an 06 WRX PPP which includes a Prodrive exhaust but it isn't particularly offensive. I don't know what the dB is, but at motorway speeds it does seem a bit noisy, a speakerphone call isn't easy until you drop to about 50mph (depends on road surface too, of course).

[geg1992]

xRIEx said:

I have an 06 WRX PPP which includes a Prodrive exhaust but it isn't particularly offensive. I don't know what the dB is, but at motorway speeds it does seem a bit noisy, a speakerphone call isn't easy until you drop to about 50mph (depends on road surface too, of course).

Thanks! An easy way of telling is pretty much; if you need to raise your voice to have a conversation then it's too loud! Although raise it quite a bit I guess.

[Baryonyx]

Just get some ear plugs.

[geg1992]

Baryonyx said:

Just get some ear plugs.

That makes my tinnitus worse and makes my ears over-sensitive to sounds I'm afraid. Sucks having an interest in cars when I have to protect my ears so much haha.

[drewklonky]

Yep the road noise is an issue at times . If your worried about road noise i would get a car which has more sounds proofing .

[geg1992]

drewklonky said:

Yep the road noise is an issue at times . If your worried about road noise i would get a car which has more sounds proofing .

Is yours with a standard exhaust though?

As I understand an aftermarket exhaust being loud, but I'd have thought with the standard exhaust and being a saloon car, that it'd be quiet cruising. Guess the best way would be to test drive one.

[BenWRXSEi]

OP, what is your current car?

[poing]

Have you considered a Mazda 6 MPS as a less noisy alternative? Not quite as fast but still 4x4 turbo with good handling.

[steve_bmw]

I had an Impreza sti a few years ago, it had a full sti standard exhaust and it was very quiet, no droning at motorway speeds just a gentle burble at tick over. Lovely.

[geg1992]

Thanks for the feedback.

It may sound strange but a seat ibiza FR tdi. 130bhp motor. Very low profile tyres and I guess it being s hatchback makes it loud!

[BenWRXSEi]

I wouldn't expect an Impreza to be any quieter to be honest. That said I find mine perfectly acceptable - an 06 wagon with PPP.

[geg1992]

To be fair, I'd only buy one if I get the new job which have a second interview for. My mileage would be about 5K a year so I guess short journeys won't affect my ears too much!

[drewklonky]

geg1992 said:

Is yours with a standard exhaust though?

As I understand an aftermarket exhaust being loud, but I'd have thought with the standard exhaust and being a saloon car, that it'd be quiet cruising. Guess the best way would be to test drive one.

My car is an 05 blob eye with ppp . The panels on these car are thin to keep the weigh down not to keep road noise down. For example i can push my door pannel in with my hand .

[geg1992]

Oh really::/ maybe short journeys will be fine and longer journeys wear ear plugs!

[geg1992]

Has anyone got a decibel app they can check with by any chance?

[BenWRXSEi]

Where are you based? There may be a local owner who could give you a demo. Or maybe go and test drive one rather than rely on a probably inaccurate app?

[Hrimfaxi]

geg1992 said:

. Sucks having an interest in cars when I have to protect my ears so much haha.

Same here! You're not alone! Too many loud gigs gave me my permanent alarm clock and as such, I have to be extra careful.

I have an Impreza with a Hayward & Scott cat back, with a Cobra resonated center section. It's perfectly fine for my ears, isn't that loud on motorways - but I could see how it could get tiring on frequent, longer journeys say.

But can still have normal conversations with people in the car without raising your voice.

[morgrp]

geg1992 said:

Hi All,
Looking at maybe buying a Subaru Impreza WRX.
Hopefully find one all standard including the exhaust.
I have tinnitus so have to be careful with loud noises - this probably puts a decent exhaust system out the window.


My main question is: what are these like with road noise? say on the motorway?
Are they noisy? My current car is about 80-90db which is on the limit really. I assumed these would be quieter standard as they're a saloon and probably better built.


If anybody is able to get a decibel reading that would be fantastic, as many iPhones have apps etc.


Any other fast cars for under 6-7K people would recommend that aren't too noisy?

Personally I think these are great:

300bhp, AWD, ultra comfortable and very refined but sound great

[geg1992]

Hrimfaxi said:

Same here! You're not alone! Too many loud gigs gave me my permanent alarm clock and as such, I have to be extra careful.

I have an Impreza with a Hayward & Scott cat back, with a Cobra resonated center section. It's perfectly fine for my ears, isn't that loud on motorways - but I could see how it could get tiring on frequent, longer journeys say.

But can still have normal conversations with people in the car without raising your voice.

It's the same here, went to a loud gig and boom, ringing in my ears and no sleep!

That's exactly what I wanted to hear though, cheers! I guess with a standard exhaust it won't be loud at all!