I've read on these forums that excessive vibration may be attributed to a failed or failing motor mount(s). As far as the noise is concerned, I rarely run the engine, but when I do, I don't find it any louder than what I remember an ICE sounding like. Now if I mistakenly put it into mountain mode on a depleted battery....then the engine running is very noticeable. Otherwise, the engine purrs along quietly for me.