Noise: Convertible vs Fastback

[OLdchuck]

Back on the forum after an absence. Went from classic '66 Mustang convertible build to Porsche Boxster GTS to Miata back to the same classic '66 now considering going to a S550. Given that, I am trying to tell if there is any difference in road noise between the convertible top up compared to fastback.
Has anyone gone from a convertible to a Fastback or vice versa to compare road noise difference?

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[luca1290]

I did. Rented the convertible then bought the coupe.
The convertible is more noisy and handles much worse.

 

[raptor17GT]

Had a convertible courtesy car, definitely louder / more wind noise that the tintop I own. Different tyres so can't compare back to back but felt softer chassis wise which on the road might not be a bad thing. A decent climate, soft top would win hands down for cruising.

 

[luca1290]

felt softer chassis wise which on the road might not be a bad thing

A softer chassis is always bad for NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) and handling.
What you want are softer suspensions for a smoother ride, not a softer chassis.

.. said that, I understand that if someone is into convertibles, probably NHV and handling is not what it's searching for...

 

[Torinate]

You will notice the noise more than the difference in chassis stiffness. I wouldn't actually say there's a large difference in handling. Sure, a difference, but not as great as some would try to have you believe. S550 convertible is stiffer than previous gen coupe... Take a spin in both and choose what you like!

 

[Clintro]

I have a new Vert and aside from the week I got the windows tinted.... top down 90% of the time dont miss a hard top one bit.

 

[KingKona]

I have a new Vert and aside from the week I got the windows tinted.... top down 90% of the time dont miss a hard top one bit.

Good point.

If you're buying a convertible, the noise isn't a concern, that's why you're buying it.

 

[Balr14]

I either buy a convertible or a 4 door. Rear seat access is just awful in a coupe.

 

[jjsotolongo]

There’s nominally more noise in the convertible than the coupe. However, either will be quieter than any of the cars you are coming from. My wife has fallen dead asleep in the car with the roof closed and the exhaust in quiet. So it passed the one test that matters for me.

Considering you went from a Boxster to a Miata and then back to a 66 … I mean … doesn’t seem like some level of wind noise bothers you that much right? Drive them both and decide for yourself which you can live with.

 

[OLdchuck]

Thanks for the input.
Had a 2012 S197 fastback but never had a vert in a Mustang other than the '66 and really can't compare cars 50+ years apart. The P GTS was not bad for wind/road noise but a different price point than the Mustang. The Miata well, its' a Miata. Really fun car but not quiet by anyone's standards. My '66 is basically a garage queen and do not expect any quietness as she is only driven on nice sunny days.
Would like something that would not get old after several hours on the road due to noise. Would get the performance pack or do braces myself to help with the stiffness so I do not worry about the chassis stiffness.
I live in SC so the weather is not bad so can enjoy the top down often. I am older so do not plan on any track days. Been looking around and finding a vert with manual and performance pack is not easy.

 

[Johnnybee]

I can’t speak to how quiet a coupe is in comparison to my convertible because I’ve never ridden in a coupe. That said, I have never found my car to be particularly noisy with the top up. There is a substantial amount of sound deadening material, plus a full headliner, so it would be quite a bit quieter than a convertible with a vinyl top and no headliner.

 

[AZlb5.0]

I’ve owned 1 convertible in my life. It was my ‘88 GT. Learned fast that convertible was not the way I wanted to go ever. I know a guy who owns an ‘18 convertible and he isn’t happy with it. He said he wished he’d gotten a coupe.

 

[OLdchuck]

Thanks for all the input. Other than the past P car, Miata and the '66 convertible all my other Mustangs and cars have been fastbacks or coupes. Since I am 76 that has been a lot of vehicles. My wife has an MB E class for long highway drives so that is an option if noise is a concern. However she like convertibles so figure we will give one a try. If we do not like it than we can always let it go and get a fastback.

 

[ORRadtech]

If you get a convertible, and yes they're a little noisier than a hard top car, you.might want to look into a couple of things. One is the SmartTop module. It allows you to do things like lower the top with a single touch, activate the top while moving and retain the last mode setting used. Also consider a wind deflector for behind the front seats. There are some made for the Mustang but many of us have adapted the deflector from an Audi A4 with excellent results. Visit the convertible section of this forum for lots of info on both.

 

[OLdchuck]

Dave,
Thanks for the info on the SmartTop module and the wind screen.
I have been in cars with and without the wind screen and I agree they do make a difference.

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