Topic: Which brands have the fewest interior rattles?

[Mitlov]

Interior rattles really annoy me.  My old Civic had tons, and my new Subaru has several, despite being just five months old.  I put up with them because the Subaru is otherwise a fantastic, versatile car at a great price.  But I would really love it if the next car I bought (at least five years down the line, just to be clear) didn't sound like interior pieces were loose--and stayed that way for years.  It's not my only criteria, of course (I want a sport sedan with the emphasis on sport), but it's one of them.

Which brands out there do really well with resisting interior rattles?  I've heard great things about Toyota and Lexus.  I've heard some negative feedback for Infiniti (not a lot though), lots of negative feedback for Subaru (I can confirm that), and lots for GM products.  I don't know much about the European brands.  How does BMW  stack up?  Audi (maybe we could ask Tom)?  The Swedish twins?  Et cetera.  How about Cadillac, Acura, et cetera?

Any suggestions?

[ovr50]

Our present two Toyotas are totally rattle-free. The previous '99 Solara that my wife had for 6.5 years was also rattle-free. The Mustang is too new to tell. My two previous Subies were much noisier overall than the Toyotas, including several rattles.

I think the build quality on Toyota is very good, and the vehicles are solid. Just my 2c.

[airbalancer]

BMW is a soft top, it has less rattles when the top is down
The STS was rattle free
My Sierra pickup has to many tools in it to tell if it has any rattles

[si]

My Civic is excellent, but I've had one annoying rattle.  After a jaunt up to Duncan, they found out it was the wire supplying the central dome light.

Good cars may still rattle.

[Mitlov]

Good cars may still rattle.

I know that.  I would definitely classify both my Civic and my Legacy as "good cars," despite the rattles.  It's just that for my next car, I'd like a good, sporty sedan that also happens to not frickin' rattle.  It's just a pet peeve of mine.

[mdxtasy]

What's your budget?  Can't go suggesting a BMW 3 series if you're looking at a $20K cap.

[Mitlov]

What's your budget?  Can't go suggesting a BMW 3 series if you're looking at a $20K cap.

With this several years down the line, I don't know the exact budget.  Gotta get Mrs. Mitlov out of that ancient 4Runner and into something newer first.  But I suspect the budget will be something like US$25-30k, trying to grab a slightly used one.  Serious contenders are Lexus IS (kinda small, unfortunately), BMW 3-series, Infiniti G35, Cadillac CTS, et cetera.  Manual transmission is a must, and AWD or RWD is preferable over FWD.

The Legacy is a great car--both for me and for the whole family--and will definitely keep me happy for as many years as it needs to.

[RunsinLight]

I've had rattles with all Buicks, Chev/ GMC trucks.  Not so much if any rattles on Pontiacs

[initial_D]

What's your budget?  Can't go suggesting a BMW 3 series if you're looking at a $20K cap.

With this several years down the line, I don't know the exact budget.  Gotta get Mrs. Mitlov out of that ancient 4Runner and into something newer first.  But I suspect the budget will be something like US$25-30k, trying to grab a slightly used one.  Serious contenders are Lexus IS (kinda small, unfortunately), BMW 3-series, Infiniti G35, Cadillac CTS, et cetera.  Manual transmission is a must, and AWD or RWD is preferable over FWD.

The Legacy is a great car--both for me and for the whole family--and will definitely keep me happy for as many years as it needs to.

Manual transmission is a must, and AWD or RWD is preferable over FWD.  

[Mitlov]

IS300 SportCross was auto-only, at least in the US.  The IS300 5-speed sedan is an option, though.  I do prefer the looks and the fuel economy of the IS250 though.  Shame about the IS350's lack of a manual.  And none of them are as roomy as a G35 or a CTS, which is a bit more the size that I think would be ideal.

[Julie]

I am also interested in this question, thanks for posting it Mitlov.

[initial_D]

IS300 SportCross was auto-only, at least in the US.  The IS300 5-speed sedan is an option, though.  I do prefer the looks and the fuel economy of the IS250 though.  Shame about the IS350's lack of a manual.  And none of them are as roomy as a G35 or a CTS, which is a bit more the size that I think would be ideal.

     

Ain't I the smartest idiot ... just give you high marks for choosing a standard car, then turn around suggesting an auto only car.  something burned out alright. 

[tpl]

My BMW at 3 1/2 yrs does not rattle .... it does however, have a fair amount of low frequency noise "rumble" from the tires on our TO roads and of course the body shell and doors creak when its
 -20

[wing]

I've heard from a Lexus Mechanic that they get rattle complaints all the time.

Not sure about Caddy's long term but the 3 I have driven have been flawless.  Almost every other car I have driven had rattles except the caddys.

The Camry I drove was rattle free as well.

[barrie1]

I have one Caddie thats a 1984 and its still rattle free. i also have a 1972 GMC truck that the only rattle is the ign keys banging on one of the gauges under the dash. These are a aftermarket  gauge set that normally wouldn't be where they are but its somewhat a custom built vehicle. Any vehicle depending on the overall condition can have rattles or not as a lot depends on what day of the week it was assembled and the overall design of it as well. 

[Julie]

My Camry developed a rattle after 1.5 years. But, after 3 visits to the service department, it was finally fixed well. (The first two times, they did a sloppy job of trying to fix it; the 3rd time, we got a very conscientious service manager who not only fixed that rattle but the other, smaller rattle that only occasionally appeared that he said he also heard. Good service will do wonders for repeat business.)

My 5-year old Corolla never rattled/squeaked, ever.

Johngenx in another forum says his several Mercedes never developed rattles.

"I've owned several Mercedes' and all of them had the stiffest, tightest body structures of any car we've owned.  None of them, regardless of age/mileage, ever developed interior sqeaks or rattles."

http://www.canadiandriver.com/forum/index.php/topic,47575.msg292793.html#msg292793

[BJB]

My Infiniti had no rattles
My Nissan has no rattles
Mom's Porsche has rattles and shake and everything else under the sun
Mom's previous 2 Caddy STS's - can't remember if they had rattles but they were pieces of crap in general
Dad's Lexus no rattles
Brother's Acura rattles
Other brother's mazda no rattles but it's brand new

[Julie]

My Infiniti had no rattles
My Nissan has no rattles
Mom's Porsche has rattles and shake and everything else under the sun
Mom's previous 2 Caddy STS's - can't remember if they had rattles but they were pieces of crap in general
Dad's Lexus no rattles
Brother's Acura rattles
Other brother's mazda no rattles but it's brand new

Sounds like your Mom is more of a driving enthusiast than your Dad (re Porsche and STS's)

[UmroAyyar]

'02 Corolla, no rattles so far. (I can say that because every week I gather everything in the car in a plastic bag and hand it over to my wife without looking at her  )

[BJB]

My Infiniti had no rattles
My Nissan has no rattles
Mom's Porsche has rattles and shake and everything else under the sun
Mom's previous 2 Caddy STS's - can't remember if they had rattles but they were pieces of crap in general
Dad's Lexus no rattles
Brother's Acura rattles
Other brother's mazda no rattles but it's brand new

Sounds like your Mom is more of a driving enthusiast than your Dad (re Porsche and STS's)

Nah, neither one of them really cares what they drive, it's mostly my influence, although my Mom loves the Porsche now