Starter sounds
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
Starter sounds
What starters sound good to you? Bad? Really stuck in your memory for whatever reason?
I'm purely curious since nearly everything I have ever owned has been a V8 and I've noticed my current daily has a very different sound and that a 12 cyl......well damn. They sound special.
I'm purely curious since nearly everything I have ever owned has been a V8 and I've noticed my current daily has a very different sound and that a 12 cyl......well damn. They sound special.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,651
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
I love my 4.7 in my 4R. It has auto crank so there is no need to hold they key. I love how it some times takes 3 seconds or sometimes 5 or sometimes longer during cold. The longest ever, it was -40°, I was way up north near Sudbury, and the auto crank took 30 seconds to start the 4.7. Majestic
My 4.0 4R is just not the same
My 4.0 4R is just not the same
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,409
Likes: 1,642
From: FL
Can we add more sounds?
This thread takes me back in time.
I liked the sound of the starter and especially the key chime.
Can't believe there was a video on youtube for both.
1981 Datsun B210 Hatchback
This thread takes me back in time.
I liked the sound of the starter and especially the key chime.
Can't believe there was a video on youtube for both.
1981 Datsun B210 Hatchback
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
I'm the same way with 90-2005 Chrysler starters, they just have the "engine start" sound if you know what I mean.
That Nissan "ding" is very nice, I could see it used in their modern stuff to be honest. It's not offensive/grating but still gets your attention. I HATE the ding Audi uses, first thing I did with both A8s is turn it off.
That Nissan "ding" is very nice, I could see it used in their modern stuff to be honest. It's not offensive/grating but still gets your attention. I HATE the ding Audi uses, first thing I did with both A8s is turn it off.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
The Honda starter sound in the 90s and early 2000's was nearly iconic. Very distinctive.
https://youtu.be/e-LXY9YnHqU
https://youtu.be/e-LXY9YnHqU
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,702
Likes: 290
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Probably the most distinctive starter sounds I can remember were the old high-pitched whines from the Chrysler starters of the 60s and 70s. They were also distinctive because their carburetors often allowed the engines to either flood or starve for fuel flood on a starting attempt, which took prolonged cranking and whines to overcome.
Last edited by mmarshall; Mar 14, 2026 at 09:40 AM.
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Moderator
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: GA
I have to say the one thing, sound-wise, about the 2GR in my IS 350 is the starter. It just sounds like it's struggling every time. The German cars we've owned always seem to spring to life, but the Lexus is like, "All right, I'm up... " 
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,999
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From: California
Ford's were very distinct throughout the 90's and 2000's. But I have to agree Honda's "scratch and choke" starters were iconic. They (Accords) also had a universal transmission whine at low speeds, or at least when they shifted lower gears.
Speaking of whines, nothing takes the cake beyond GM full-size vans of the same era. There is so much gear whine, I discovered a fan-based society that tracks it on Facebook.
Speaking of whines, nothing takes the cake beyond GM full-size vans of the same era. There is so much gear whine, I discovered a fan-based society that tracks it on Facebook.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,409
Likes: 1,642
From: FL
Ate startes so bad had to keep a spare on hand and reciept in glovebox at all times.
Went thru 6 re-mans in a year on one of my trucks and they die out of the blue and leave me stranded, just keep returning and exchanging them out. Yikes! nobody made money on that. lol
PS- one time lucked out and started died while getting gas and there was a Discount Auto across the street, changed it at the pump while laying on my back under truck(10 mins), made no friends that day while people waiting to pump gas, I'm sure. haha
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,318
Likes: 557
From: Knoxville, TN
Same, all the time. I turn my head.
Ford 5.0 starters from the 80s are dubbed into many, many things even still today.
They sounded good so I guess it figures.
Any German V8 starter is going to stir my soul, especially an older one. V12s are out of this world.
Ford 5.0 starters from the 80s are dubbed into many, many things even still today.
They sounded good so I guess it figures.
Any German V8 starter is going to stir my soul, especially an older one. V12s are out of this world.