SMALL SUVs, hatchbacks and other cars that have great cabin gain and get LOUD easy.

[akuma4u]

Hi there, i am looking to buy a used car that has an open cabin (no trunk) that is easy to get loud and has great cabin gain. I know hatchbacks get loud easy and years ago i did have a early 90s eagle talon/eclipse and OMG that thing got ridiculously loud off just 300 watts.

I know SUVs get loud but i am looking for an economical car that has good gas mileage, so small SUVS, hatchbacks etc are probably a better option for me.

So please let me know what cars you guys can recommend. And BTW, yes i know with effort i can make any car sound good but im not looking to do extra crazy work like i had to with my current car which STILL doesnt sound anywhere near as good as other peoples cars due to its design. Theres only so much i can do and have already done crazy mods in an attempt to get bass into the cabin and still im not where i want to be. Just too much metal in the way that is structural and the car is totally not designed for aftermarket systems. FYI that car is a genesis coupe, by far the worst car ive ever had in terms of bass response.

Thank you

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[1aespinoza Premium Member]

I know SUVs get loud but i am looking for an economical car that has good gas mileage, so small SUVS, hatchbacks etc are probably a better option for me.

I would recommend compact SUVs like the RAV4, CR-V, or Tucson. GM SUVs are reliable but the majority use the 2.4L that tends to get chain rattle and water pump failure. Those pumps are turned by the timing chain and are costly to replace. Those mentioned above have better access and are fairly reliable.
Compact Ford SUVs like the EcoSport are money pits so no love here. The Jeep Patriot is not too bad but the Cherokee squinty eyes is bad. Mind you these vehicles I am referring to are 2018 and older. I have not worked on newer ones.

 

[akuma4u]

I would recommend compact SUVs like the RAV4, CR-V, or Tucson. GM SUVs are reliable but the majority use the 2.4L that tends to get chain rattle and water pump failure. Those pumps are turned by the timing chain and are costly to replace. Those mentioned above have better access and are fairly reliable.
Compact Ford SUVs like the EcoSport are money pits so no love here. The Jeep Patriot is not too bad but the Cherokee squinty eyes is bad. Mind you these vehicles I am referring to are 2018 and older. I have not worked on newer ones.

thanks for that.
I was told and have been eyeing a later model 2012 scion xb, i heard those are great to put systems in. However, i am still looking for other options like true hatchbacks etc. I will look into the rav 4 and crv and tucson. Have you personally heard systems inside those cars?

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

Have you personally heard systems inside those cars?

Only in the CR-V but ALL SUV/wagon style vehicles amplify alike. Many moons ago a friend freely used his mom's 2000 Chevy Astro in which we installed 2 15inch Pyramid clear cone subs. We connected them to the AC Delco radio! They sounded great. Not mirror rattling but the bass was deep.

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Minivan

An astro if you can find one

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

Corolla hatchback

 

[CertifiedHoodClassic]

Corolla hatchback

View attachment 62774

Second this. Corolla or civic hatch. Both reliable cars. They sold less hatchback versions of them though, so it's more or less luck if there's a decent deal on one near you.

 

[CertifiedHoodClassic]

Minivan

 

[akuma4u]

Corolla hatchback

View attachment 62774

this was actually a car that was on my mind BUT i dont think a high output alt is made for this car. I found it is hard to find h/o alts for most asian vehicles

 

[Jimi77 Premium Member]

Extended Cab mid-size pickups get loud as F. Not the 4 door ones, the extended cab ones.

 

[akuma4u]

here is what i was and am highly considering buying , i did hear from someone these cars get loud easily and have great cabin gain and are not gas guzzlers.
SCION XB

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

I was between the corolla hatch and civic hatch. The Civic is so much nicer and I bought it around 6 months ago. If you get an 11th gen(2022+) don't get the Bose system..

The Scion XB is a great choice. Even the Scion TC which is what I had before trading it for my Civic. If you get a 2011+ TC I still have a 320 amp alt I would sell stupid cheap.

 

[akuma4u]

I was between the corolla hatch and civic hatch. The Civic is so much nicer and I bought it around 6 months ago. If you get an 11th gen(2022+) don't get the Bose system..

The Scion XB is a great choice. Even the Scion TC which is what I had before trading it for my Civic. If you get a 2011+ TC I still have a 320 amp alt I would sell stupid cheap.

Thanks for that,

between the TC and the civic , which is better solely in terms of bass response and which do you prefer? if i go for the TC for sure i will be interested in that alt.

i was driving today and also saw another couple of hatches that may work well, pontiac vibe and gti golf.

 

[dragon.breath 10+ year member]

I have wanted to try a Honda Cr-z since they came out. Just to see if they would get loud like the old king of bass, the crx.

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

pontiac vibe and gti golf.

Pontiac uses one of those ill designed 2.4L GM engines, I would vote no on that. Golf is German so may be finicky as well.