Noise Levels
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
I am not one to give a 'comparison', but I think my Convertible is fairly quiet inside. Most noise I get is from the underside of the car more so than from outside. Ambient noises are more noticable imo. I remember going past a construction site once and there was a jackhammer going, there was no doubt that was louder in the car than it would have been with a hardtop. But, for the most part, the sound of you driving is going to overcome the majority of noises. Side by side with a trailer truck that has noisy tires, it's loud, but, I don't think you'll find the coupes any less loud just because of the lack of insulation in the floors, doors and ceiling.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,072
Likes: 196
From: Arizona
Noise has been the subject of ongoing debate and frustration for years. A number of owners have removed their interiors and mounted insulation throughout the iinside. Many have reported improvements, but I don't remember anyone stating that it was a miracle cure. Changing tires from the Goodyear runflats seems to be one of the most effective noise subduing solutions.
I find that my '04 coupe is really quiet on asphalt road surfaces, but tire 'howl' can be irritating on certain concrete roads. I have GY runflats.
I find that my '04 coupe is really quiet on asphalt road surfaces, but tire 'howl' can be irritating on certain concrete roads. I have GY runflats.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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I own a 2004 convertible. I have installed the RaamAudio BXT II & Ensolite, a tunnel plate with thermal abs, a trunk partition, as well as a Corsa X-pipe to match up with my Corsa Indy exhaust, all in an attempt to help reduce as much unnecessary noise from creeping into the cabin as possible. Even with all that, the car still sounds like a sports car and will never be quiet as a Lexus (nor do I want it to be).
However, the biggest improvements I ever made were ditching the run flats for non run-fats and installing Koni FSD shocks. The car is planted, yet the ride is a lot quieter with less tire drone.
Honestly, I don't think there is much difference between a convertible (with the top up) and a coupe as most of the noise IMO is generated from the rear wheels. There is a considerable noise difference when I'm driving over a newly paved road vs. older, rougher asphalt.
However, the biggest improvements I ever made were ditching the run flats for non run-fats and installing Koni FSD shocks. The car is planted, yet the ride is a lot quieter with less tire drone.
Honestly, I don't think there is much difference between a convertible (with the top up) and a coupe as most of the noise IMO is generated from the rear wheels. There is a considerable noise difference when I'm driving over a newly paved road vs. older, rougher asphalt.
Last edited by MSG C5; Jan 19, 2013 at 02:14 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 141
From: Summerville South Carolina
What noise?
None of my club buddies in Erie, Pa. ever even mentioned noise back then. Who gives a fat rat's a$$ about noise? I rue the day they turned our Vettes into grand touring machines, but now that I am retired, I can't afford the really big bucks it will take to go back. I turn green watching the old ones go through Barrett Jackson. JMHO. I agree with all of you who suggest a Lexus for those griping about noise.
Let's deep- six the noise threads !!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 829
From: Rotonda West, FL 2015 Z51 M7 3LT
Oldtimer
Erie... grew up in Meadville! Left in '71 to Pittsburgh an then to NY for the duration due to the job. Actually my sisters tell me I AM making a trip home this year. Ah, for a Pizza Villa slice an super sub... Of course an Eddies footlong on another day.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
I was pleasantly surprised how quiet my vert was when I bought it. Top up or down.
Another oddity I noticed once I got louder exhaust put on the car is that with the top up the exhaust drone was considerably louder than with the top down.
Because the trunk or hatch of the car is exposed, it introduces a lot of noise from the rear end. People have reported that putting a divider inbetween the passenger area and cargo area decreases road noise quite a bit, both in coupes/FRCs and in convertibles.
Another oddity I noticed once I got louder exhaust put on the car is that with the top up the exhaust drone was considerably louder than with the top down.
Because the trunk or hatch of the car is exposed, it introduces a lot of noise from the rear end. People have reported that putting a divider inbetween the passenger area and cargo area decreases road noise quite a bit, both in coupes/FRCs and in convertibles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
I've had two c5 coupes and two c5 convertibles so I guess I could chime in here. The convertibles are very nice and quiet when the tops are up. I've got my telephone mic on the center of the dashboard and I can talk in a normal voice when talking on it. When the top is down, no way, I mean who wants to talk on the phone when the top is down and your cruising at 70 mph with the stereo blasting anyway? Like nutsey said, if you have to ask this you need a Buick.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 141
From: Summerville South Carolina
Yep,
My great aunt owned a large wooded tract, once a "tourist camp," at Rte. 98 and Harmonsburg Road, and family once had a store on Spring St. in Meadville. Great grandfather was a brewer and stone mason there.
Small world.
Last edited by David Shiel; Jan 20, 2013 at 09:14 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
This also is true, but I just give it either more or less throttle and that goes away. It is considerable though at certain engine loads.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Santa Monica California
Noise so what!
I had a wonderful 71 350/350 with added side pipes that makes my 01 vert sound like a Lexus. Loved it. It sat and shook a bit on idle, too. Had to burn Sunoco 260 and octane booster with other fuels. Miss all that unrefined ruckus. None of my club buddies in Erie, Pa. ever even mentioned noise back then. Who gives a fat rat's a$$ about noise? I rue the day they turned our Vettes into grand touring machines, but now that I am retired, I can't afford the really big bucks it will take to go back. I turn green watching the old ones go through Barrett Jackson. JMHO. I agree with all of you who suggest a Lexus for those griping about noise.
Let's deep- six the noise threads !!
None of my club buddies in Erie, Pa. ever even mentioned noise back then. Who gives a fat rat's a$$ about noise? I rue the day they turned our Vettes into grand touring machines, but now that I am retired, I can't afford the really big bucks it will take to go back. I turn green watching the old ones go through Barrett Jackson. JMHO. I agree with all of you who suggest a Lexus for those griping about noise.Let's deep- six the noise threads !!
I just turn the radio up and never talk on the phone and drive, its my time to enjoy the ride and the music. I enjoy the power and handling of my vette. She is a Road Warrior on the rough pothole ridden streets of LA, but I love the ride. A lot of people say I should keep her garaged, that she probably guzzles gas, I get 17-19MPG even in the city and average 20-22MPG on the open road. So I will stick with my noisy, beautiful,04 vette. By the way I HATE the 2013 Vette, looks like a Plymouth and Camaro, bad bad design. Why call it a Stingray? Looks nothing like it.