Now that we have plenty of owners who have had plenty of time to drive their Solstice's for a while, I was hoping some of you could give me a few honest opinions about the wind and road noise that infiltrates the cabin when the top is up, especially at higher, freeway speeds. Do you find the car relatively quiet, somewhat loud, really loud, etc. Have you found that carrying on conversations is not a problem, or do you have to raise your voice a little to be heard? Is there any noticeable flapping of the top? Also, if there is some noise in any aspect, is it a lot worse on windy days, or is it fairly consistent?
I really have not had the chance to evaluate the top wind and road noise in the Sol since my experience behind the wheel is somewhat limited. My convertable experience is also pretty much limited to Jeep Wranglers and Geo/Chevy Trackers. The Jeep gets rather loud and annoying at highway speeds, especially on windy days, and the Tracker is, well, LOUD. Neither is a very good comparison to a convertable car in terms of noise either. So please, let me hear your thoughts.
Hi 88.. I love this car with the top up look.. (jersey, lots of up days).. But besides that look, The cockpit is relatively quiet. The headliner is a must. I have no prob w/ conversations with others or myself....
When I went to a stubby antenna, I could hear the difference of the wind on the antenna. So, its very tolerable for a vertible roadster. No flappy, it is tight. I've had top up 90% of my 3K mi.
Absolutely am thrilled with the interior feel of the car with the top up. Plenty of headroom.
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2007 GXP mysterious
leather, monsoon, 6 CD, headliner, sport pedals, polished aluminum, custom front grille, stubby antenna, XM, no front plate (1 tix so far)
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Thanks Fivespokes for that response - VERY useful information for me as well.
More generally I am surprised that this forum has so few driver reviews of their rides. Some forums have whole subforums devoted to them, but even those that do not (like Miata.net) still have many many posts providing interesting perspectives from owners....maybe this was done a long time ago, I just have to wade back through posts from last year.
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Personally mine isn't too bad. I can carry on a coversation at 60mph and I don't hear any major flapping but I do hear the sound of the wind whipping over the top which I kind of expect in a soft top. As you know it's an unlined top so it is what it is....an eight of an inch between you and the 60mph winds.
For a 2nd car that doesn't see winter it's fine. For a daily driver or if someone is sensitive to wind noise the lined top would make a great option.
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I find the noise with the top up surprisingly quiet, even at speeds above 60mph. The noise is pretty constant which makes it easier fr your brain to tune it out and the radio / conversations are easily heard without having to modify the volume of either too much.
In fact, even with the top down and windows up at highway speeds cabin noise is not an issue and conversations can be accomplished without the ned to yell - windows down is a different story.
I only notice a wind noise difference when following big trucks on the highway wit the top up, this causes the top to flap and creates a booming inside the cabin that seems to come from behind the driver and above the rear window, it must be the rolling air coming down off the top of the truck and onto and behind the Solstice roof.
So you have the acoustic headliner? If so could you take some photos?
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by fivespokes
Hi 88.. I love this car with the top up look.. (jersey, lots of up days).. But besides that look, The cockpit is relatively quiet. The headliner is a must. I have no prob w/ conversations with others or myself....
When I went to a stubby antenna, I could hear the difference of the wind on the antenna. So, its very tolerable for a vertible roadster. No flappy, it is tight. I've had top up 90% of my 3K mi.
Absolutely am thrilled with the interior feel of the car with the top up. Plenty of headroom.
When we had the Wrangler with the soft top on-it flapped and was very loud.
When we had the hard top on it was about as loud as the Sol is now but with an added feature.
The Sol always has and still does sound like there is a window open behind you ear. Both sides of the car. This is very annoying and embarrassing to me if I take someone for a ride. I find that I am cracking the window on purpose just to make the same sound.
Outside of that, the road noise is expected.
my top is very quiet, of course it's never out of the trunk
I give the Sol 9 out of 10, just a bit of wind noise, very minor exterior noise gets through. headliner (stock or aftermarket) would be somthing to consider should you want to make that 9 a 10
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When we had the Wrangler with the soft top on-it flapped and was very loud.
When we had the hard top on it was about as loud as the Sol is now but with an added feature.
The Sol always has and still does sound like there is a window open behind you ear. Both sides of the car. This is very annoying and embarrassing to me if I take someone for a ride. I find that I am cracking the window on purpose just to make the same sound.
Outside of that, the road noise is expected.
Same here Tweety. My dealer created a "TAC" report (I think I'm remembering that right) with GM requesting action on repairing the noise and said they take those seriously. We'll see.
The service manager seemed to imply that they found the sound unacceptable as well!
No problems or complaints with the top up, it rides fairly well for canvas. Quieter then my '69 Corvette, '68 Jaguar XKE or even the ragtop '62 bug (my favorite all-time ride) I still drive. With the top down and the windows up the in-cabin wind is cut for comfortable conversation. With the windows down, it becomes more of a challenge at high speeds of 55 mph or more. It's possible the KappaShield helps buffer that problem. When the weather turns hotter the windows will be down and the hell with conversation.
The top is tight and does not flap but I have severe wind noise at the driver's ear and the same on the pass side. The radio needs to be cranking. It's embarassing to have someone in the car with all that noise. Is there a cure?
The top is tight and does not flap but I have severe wind noise at the driver's ear and the same on the pass side. The radio needs to be cranking. It's embarassing to have someone in the car with all that noise. Is there a cure?
I think I heard some sols window seals are/were being replaced, for noise and water getting in, I think it was the early sols. you might check with your dealer to see if they can fix!
I don't think most sols have more than a whisper, but have heard a few mentions on that problem.
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All of the animals except for man know that the principle business of life is to enjoy it.-- Samuel Butler
You can find me at the lake -- RODEOSOLSTICE @ YAHOO.COM
I have 1500 miles on my Solstice. I do not have a liner in my top. I've had the top down 4 times. The top is still tight, no flapping even at 75 mph. The cockpit is very quiet with the top up. Normal level conversations can go on. The music doesn't even have to up very loud to hear it. The wind noise I do hear but it's not bad even the noise behind my ear. The wind noise is definately worse on the drivers side than the passenger's side though. As a matter of fact I can barely hear it on the passenger side until I hit speeds over 60 mph. All in all, I feel the cockpit is pretty quiet.
I do wonder how much of a difference a headliner would make. Those with a headliner, do you still hear the wind noise on the driver's behind your ear?
I've only got about 400 miles on mine but I too have wind noise behind the driver and passenger. I think this is air going under / around the buttresses so I'm not sure if there will be a fix for it. It isn't too loud and since it is constant you tend to tune it out. It does seem louder when going into a strong headwind (30+ mph) It doesn't interfere with a normal conversation or hearing the radio and I just have the basic one. The thing that surpised me the most (although it probably shoulnd't have) is how much noise comes in from the outside when doing things like going under a bridge with traffic overhead or going by the airport with a plane coming in. That kind of noise would probably be cut down with the headliner. As someone else said when behind a truck in a certian position air can come down and you think something struck the roof. Makes a loud boom. The first time this happend it scared the bejeebers out of me, thought someone threw something off the bridge till I realized what it really was. Can't really comment on top down... yesterday was the first day I was able to drive it that way and I was enjoying it too much to think about noise
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Totally satisfied with respect to any wind noise. Top is tight and well fit. I am at 3,000mi. and have done a couple interstate trips cruising at 75+ and the motor actually makes more noise than the top, but I don't mind listening to that.
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Neither is a very good comparison to a convertable car in terms of noise either. So please, let me hear your thoughts.
I still drive. With the top down and the windows up the in-cabin wind is cut for comfortable conversation. With the windows down, it becomes more of a challenge at high speeds of 55 mph or more. It's possible the KappaShield helps buffer that problem. When the weather turns hotter the windows will be down and the hell with conversation.