Motor Trend on new Avalon ride quality
#31
Lexus Fanatic
The Avalon uses its share of sound-insulaton. Buick also selects some components (such as tires and transmission-programming) to try and prevent noise rather than simply mask it.
The Avalon, though, does have one advantage over some Buicks in the sound-insulation department, in that all of them have a standard V6, where several Buick models come with fours.
The Avalon, though, does have one advantage over some Buicks in the sound-insulation department, in that all of them have a standard V6, where several Buick models come with fours.
When you look at the Avalon vs a Buick, a Buick still fails to achieve a sub .30 drag coefficient. A turbo is not exactly quiet vs a V6 in the Avalon or the Lexus, and Lexus/Toyota now have small wind bumps near the mirrors, and lights that help deflect wind flow, thus making the Avalon and Lexus vehicles quiet from the design and not from the masking of the sound.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 07-01-13 at 12:06 PM.
#32
Lexus Fanatic
Of course, I agree with you that Lexus was a master of noise-isolation from the start, and didn't need to resort to Quiet Tuning methods later on.....though the latest ES350 seems like it has slipped somewhat.
I don't want to get into stereotypes too much here, but many of the older people who often buy these cars demand quiet, as they often have weak hearing and can't efficiently carry on a converasation in some noisier vehicles.
#34
Lexus Fanatic
The lesson, of course, is that beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder.
(BTW, he also took that Yukon XL home that day).
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-02-13 at 09:57 AM.
#35
Guest
Posts: n/a
^^^ That is not the norm. Quite a few ugly vehicles sell to people and quite frankly a lot of people are aesthetically challenged. My point is in most cases, people seem to have working eyes and they want to be seen in good looking cars the majority/masses would agree looks good.
#37
I must say my mom's old 2000 Avalon is a complete plush mobile. I love the way it rides, on its dinky 15" wheels. It reminds me of an old Buick or Cadillac in how smooth it operates, it even has a bit of wallow and float in its ride, although that might be the old OEM struts on it.
I will also say that low profile tires do not TOTALLY ruin a ride. I went from 60 series tires on 15" rims to 45 series tires on 18" rims with my 1992 Lexus SC300. It really doesn't ride any firmer, but the main thing is noise. Yes the low profile tires are a slight bit noiser, but you mainly HEAR the thunk more than feel it when you hit a pothole or expansion joint on a bridge.
I will also say that low profile tires do not TOTALLY ruin a ride. I went from 60 series tires on 15" rims to 45 series tires on 18" rims with my 1992 Lexus SC300. It really doesn't ride any firmer, but the main thing is noise. Yes the low profile tires are a slight bit noiser, but you mainly HEAR the thunk more than feel it when you hit a pothole or expansion joint on a bridge.
#39
Lexus Champion
I must say my mom's old 2000 Avalon is a complete plush mobile. I love the way it rides, on its dinky 15" wheels. It reminds me of an old Buick or Cadillac in how smooth it operates, it even has a bit of wallow and float in its ride, although that might be the old OEM struts on it.
I will also say that low profile tires do not TOTALLY ruin a ride. I went from 60 series tires on 15" rims to 45 series tires on 18" rims with my 1992 Lexus SC300. It really doesn't ride any firmer, but the main thing is noise. Yes the low profile tires are a slight bit noiser, but you mainly HEAR the thunk more than feel it when you hit a pothole or expansion joint on a bridge.
I will also say that low profile tires do not TOTALLY ruin a ride. I went from 60 series tires on 15" rims to 45 series tires on 18" rims with my 1992 Lexus SC300. It really doesn't ride any firmer, but the main thing is noise. Yes the low profile tires are a slight bit noiser, but you mainly HEAR the thunk more than feel it when you hit a pothole or expansion joint on a bridge.
#40
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
A turbo is not exactly quiet vs a V6 in the Avalon or the Lexus, and Lexus/Toyota now have small wind bumps near the mirrors, and lights that help deflect wind flow, thus making the Avalon and Lexus vehicles quiet from the design and not from the masking of the sound.
on a related note hondas have always had pretty quiet engines, but very little sound insulation, so there's lots of road noise that comes into the cabin. they've been using active noise cancellation in recent years - not sure how well it works, but in the pilot i was in a while back, it was pretty worthless as far as i could tell.
in recent years, the direct injection in lexus engines produce a lot more (ticking) racket than older engines, in the interest of performance and fuel economy. this is masked generally by sound insulation when the windows are closed.
anyway, i understand what you're saying, but quiet is quiet when you're inside. a ford f-150 truck does not exactly have a quiet engine when you stand beside it, but it's vault-like quiet inside. it's really impressive.
and while the avalon may have a quiet engine and good aerodynamics, the new one i drove recently was not THAT quiet, mainly road noise coming through.
once again, a trade off of cost, what's acceptable, and meeting other goals of fuel economy, performance, noise, etc.
#41
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
but that doesn't explain the success of vehicles like the kia soul, jeep liberty, honda element, nissan juke or cube, etc.
#42
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by LexBob2
but throw in a curve, hill or less than good roads and it was a handful to keep going straight, with constant corrections needed and zero enjoyment to drive.
Originally Posted by LexBob2
However the steering and handling was absolutely terrible. On anything other than a straight, smooth road it was OK,
Originally Posted by Aron9000
I must say my mom's old 2000 Avalon is a complete plush mobile. I love the way it rides, on its dinky 15" wheels. It reminds me of an old Buick or Cadillac in how smooth it operates, it even has a bit of wallow and float in its ride, although that might be the old OEM struts on it.
#43
Lexus Fanatic
but that doesn't explain the success of vehicles like the kia soul, jeep liberty, honda element, nissan juke or cube, etc.
#44
Lexus Champion
That doesn't neceessarily mean a suspension fault or design. Alignment problems (particularly front wheel toe-out) often causes that. So does worn shocks/struts....which is simple wear and tear with mileage.
People who bought those older Avalons didn't care about handling. They wanted a magic-carpet ride.
..............see what I mean?
People who bought those older Avalons didn't care about handling. They wanted a magic-carpet ride.
..............see what I mean?
#45
Lexus Test Driver
No one will ever be happy, people always called the Avalon boring and an "old man's car", but as soon as Toyota made the care firmer and a little more driver oriented, people still *****.....no way to make everyone happy