How Bad is the Wind Noise?

"AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC" (addictedtom3s) 05/23/2016 at 23:07 • Filed to: None

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I love Ferrari Grigio Silverstone so much

I’ve always heard about roadsters with soft tops having a lot of wind noise as a result of their shape. Having never actually been in a soft-top roadster with the top up I am actually quite curious. I’ve only ever been in a roadster with the top down which obviously had some wind noise.

So all you Miata/MX-5/s2000/911 Cabriolet/Boxster/z3/z4 owning oppos, how bad is the wind noise really on a soft top roadster?

Some beautiful s2000s for your time.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:10

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There is noticeable wind noise on the highway, nothing turning the radio onto elevator music levels of loud cant fix. So, I wouldnt worry about it

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 05/23/2016 at 23:13

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Really?! I currently have to do that with my car because it has a seam between the wing mirror and the door causing some wind noise. Well that and some noisy tires. I always thought it would be worse. This changes everything now.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:22

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I mean, depending on how OCD you are, it may get on your nerves over time. But its really not that bad

Nauraushaun > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:26

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Often they have some sort of wind-deflector strategy in place. But when they’re trying so hard to achieve a targa-top sort of shape, you wonder why they don’t just build it into the body like an MR2 or 300ZX - both of which are lovely by the way.

Nauraushaun > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:27

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They tend to have some sort of wind deflector arrangement to try to make this easier to bear. But targa-tops have it built in, and I can personally attest to the fact that the MR2 and 300ZXs do a fine job with the roof off.

EmbraceTheRasp > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:30

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At 80, you can still have a conversation in most recent convertibles. The wind noise is there, but there’s not even as much as any of my previous Jeep XJs. In mine, the majority of the noise comes from the drone of the non-muffling-muffler (a Rogue Engineering Diablo installed by the PO) rather than the soft-top. I hate the drone, but also hate to put the stock muffler back on since the PO crimped one of the tips when he pulled it off.

The wind-noise comes less from the shape of the top than from the area where the windows meet the top—especially where the back windows meet the dogleg behind the top of the front window (see the above pic). At you’re-in-a-heap-of-big-trouble speeds, there’s a definite whistle that you don’t get in the flusher window-to-frame seals of the coupe.

With the top down and the windows up, the wind-noise is still not all that bad until you get well past 70. Wind deflectors make a huge difference but I don’t have one because it gets in the way of my kid’s car seat.

The Miata and S2000 don’t have the rear 1/2 windows, or spots for carseeats (or rear seats) so they might actually be quieter.

DrScientist > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:31

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rented a NB mazaspeed for a long weekend in denver. drove it up through the mountains. at night with the top up, driving across 70, i thought the semis were going to blow the top right off. the wipers made all kinds of racket at speed.

rented a 2006 z4M earlier in the spring in california. it was ok. wind noise was apparent, but definitely better put together than the miata.

rented a 2006 650i last fall. you’d have no idea it was a soft top when at highway speed (other than the lack of 3/4 rear visibility).

i hate to say it’s all according to what youre willing to spend, but based on the purchase price of these cars one could make that argument. of course the argument could also be made that the cars were built for increasing luxury, and the price is just a consequence of that.

i actually also drove across the country in an s2000 with a friend last summer, but we only had the top up for one 60 minute stretch during a thunder storm in wisconsin.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > EmbraceTheRasp 05/23/2016 at 23:39

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Oh god, Oxford Green is so beautiful!

How are the blind spots with the soft top? That’s something I’ve always been scared of with roadsters.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > DrScientist 05/23/2016 at 23:40

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Definitely true. How was the s2000 with the top up? I’m really curious about them. They seem to be DD-able and yet offer some fun.

yitznewton > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:41

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Gotta yell in the S2000 at highway speed. I don’t notice the noise unless I’m trying to have a conversation.

DrScientist > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:46

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we literally had it up for only those 60 minutes, and it was dumping rain... so much the wipers could barely keep up, so i have no idea what it would have been like at speed in normal conditions.

i suppose it kept us dry... so i can tell you that.

generally speaking, they are DDable, i think. the trunk is reasonable for a car that small. but the cockpit is a bit coffin-like. hope youre not claustrophobic. there’s a regular car guy review of one you should check out.

EmbraceTheRasp > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:54

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It’s my favorite. As nice as the LS blue is, Oxford is so pretty in person. I don’t notice the blind spots when driving as much as when parking. The mirrors are really not super useful and when they tilt downward (presumably to show you the stripes of the lot) they stop showing you your corners. If you stop them tilting, you have to guess where the stripes are.

When you’re moving, the mirrors need to be aimed a little wider than you might be used to. I’ve found you can always lean up a little to see your flanks and then cover the rear door blind spot with the mirror.

With the top up, the rear-view mirror is only good for straight back, but I drove a f150 with a camper top for years so I’m used to that.

If you spend any amount of time in limited-sight-line vehicles you learn to play a memory game as you run your “straight ahead, gauges, right, rear, straight ahead, gauges left” eye movement routine. Remembering which cars you’ve passed and what might be gaining on you and how fast. That way you avoid nasty surprises when moving around in traffic. It's how I was trained by my old man and it definitely keeps you more engaged.

flyingmetalbird > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:56

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NA Miata owner.

Top up wind noise isn’t the worst. Once you live with the car and are used to having the top down and up, up is much nicer.

It is quite noticeably louder than a hard top car, but it isn't anything to complain about in my opinion. I'm a huge soft top guy myself. I like the way the rain sounds on it and the way it creaks. I just like it.

CRider > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/23/2016 at 23:56

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If you’re buying an S2000 refinement probably isn’t a high priority. Or any roadster, really. If you buy a ‘vert with the intention of driving it with the top up you’re not going to like it very much.

Textured Soy Protein > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 00:02

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I had an NB Miata, oh lord now I feel old, 8 to 12 years ago. It wasn’t the quietest experience in the world. It was just a single layer of vinyl, not even a headliner. The top mechanism was exposed. Convertible tops can range from that, to triple layers with sound deadening and other stuff to keep them quiet.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > EmbraceTheRasp 05/24/2016 at 00:05

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I’ll admit my favorite is a two-way tie between Alpine White and Carbon Black but Oxford Green with a Cinnamon interior would be an almighty combination to contend for my heart.

That definitely makes sense. It’s funny you mention that remembering which cars you pass method. I’ve always figured that is what a lot of people do in addition to using the mirrors for cars with limited blind spots. Glad I wasn’t off my rocker imagining that being a viable technique.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > DrScientist 05/24/2016 at 00:06

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Ah, makes sense. I imagine it’s slightly nerve wracking being in heavy rain with a soft top. Something I’ll have to consider as I park outside at work.

I’ve actually been shotgun in an s2000 and got to see the trunk. It’s definitely livable in my current stage in life. I don’t mind the interior size so much. I find it quite cozy as I’m pretty short at only 5'8".

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > CRider 05/24/2016 at 00:08

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Let’s say I do 50/50 top down/top up. How would that factor into the decision making process? I imagine ladies would not be very thrilled at all the wind messing up their hair so there is also that...

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > yitznewton 05/24/2016 at 00:12

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Interesting. Do you ever try and use the radio?

CRider > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 00:19

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A wind deflector would make that a non issue.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > CRider 05/24/2016 at 00:31

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Interesting. I guess I need to drive an s2000 intimately now to see how it really is.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 00:38

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you get used to it after like 1 day. and your driving a Miata who cares about wind noise the top is always down

gawdzillla > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 00:58

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That’s why they make that removable hard top

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 01:02

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It’s not just wind noise, it’s everything noise — tire roar, exhaust drone, rocks bouncing off the chassis.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 01:35

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When I drove my mom’s NA for a month, Holy Moses it was not quiet especially beyond 70 miles per hour. Which is why my mom loves ito maybe. You can hear and feel everything (except the passenger). She eventually sprang for fancy stereo and speakers.

Sam > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 02:07

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We have an NB Miata. The wind noise on the highway is pretty tremendous. I also had a faulty top latch result in the top blowing down at ~65 MPH. It was terrifying, but didn't result in any permanent damage (scratched the pain a little bit, but that was it)

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/24/2016 at 02:26

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That’s what I’m afraid of with Miatas. Yeah they’ll handle well and all the other standard Jalop/oppo responses but for a daily they’re not perfect. I’ll be the first to admit, I want some comfort in a daily.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > gawdzillla 05/24/2016 at 02:27

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Yeah, now how does one remove it solo?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 02:37

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I’m not a Miata guy, yet i find myself defending the NA at times:

The car does have a lot of alluring qualities. The shifter requires elbow grease, rewarding you with a satisfying click. Every turn is enjoyable. The sound is just enough to keep it interesting. You never feel like the car will lose control. It makes mundane errands much more bearable.

I don’t know if you’ve ever driven a Miata, but you should try it out. Maybe something more refined and comfortable, like an NC (though I’ve never driven one yet).

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 02:45

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You can on a Miata without too much difficulty. I’m partially lying, but it can be done with one person. Eventually.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/24/2016 at 02:49

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I have not but I will make sure to try out an NB once I am able to shop for a vehicle. My current list is: s2000, NB Miata, BRZ and WRX Wagon (I don’t know why this is in this list either).

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 07:06

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Not a roadster but I have had a 306 cabriolet for 2 years. I avoided driving it when I couldn’t take the top down, since the wind noise was really horrible. When you went above 130 km/h (that would be illegal, so I never did that obviously ;) ) the wind would come in by pushing the top open a bit. Open, it was a really cheap fun and pretty car, closed, it was noisy and impossible to park.

OPPOsaurus WRX > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 07:50

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not a soft top but my old WRX had horrible wind issues when I would only open my window. I would get this horrible pulsating effect that would actually hurt my ears. I always had to at least crack another window for it to be bearable

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 07:53

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WHAT, I CANT HEAR YOU OVER ALL THIS WIND!!! No but really, in a Miata it all depends on how good your latches and seals are really. My latches are crap so it is sometimes difficult to keep the wind noise out. It is to be expected to have a fair amount of noise though, it is the compromise to make with a soft top. I can hear music with the top up better than with it down so I guess it is quieter, but really its not that loud with it down and the windows up. So from an objective point of view (and the observations of people I drive around) there is quite a lot of wind noise. If it bothers you enough though, there are definitely adjustments that can be made to lower the noise since the top is manual.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 05/24/2016 at 07:55

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It's not that it is heavy, it is just awkward to do on your own. Bigger issue is actually having some place to store the thing after you take it off. They do make a cart that helps but if space is a premium in your home, it becomes a problem.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 07:59

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Definitely get a hard top if that concerns you. They are expensive ($1k+) for a nice one but they do not depreciate so it can be a worthy investment. I drive nearly every day with the top down but I still would like a hard top for occasional use. Then you can enjoy the car without any of the convertible compromises. Plus, hard tops look fucking beautiful.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 08:02

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I was cross shopping NB miatas and WRX wagons at the same time also, so it is not that weird! I was also looking at Mazdaspeed3 too. Settled on a Miata though just because I could get a much cleaner car for less money.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > yitznewton 05/24/2016 at 08:04

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I don’t tend to notice the noise in my Miata unless someone unfamiliar with my car complains about it. I guess I just got used to the noise lol. It is very weird to ride in friends cars with real roofs, I feel like I am in some sort of vacuum chamber.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 08:04

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Hard top, definitely!

gawdzillla > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 08:47

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yitznewton > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 09:01

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Popular music is OK, but classical is not even worth it.

InfinityAero > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 09:54

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Rode in a new Stang vert, super quiet. Drove my car once with the top up. Whop whop whop whop! Newer vert tops are good, older, worn ones... not so much.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/24/2016 at 12:21

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Very true. I find hard tops to look much better. That’s good to hear. Most of my cross shopping has to do with price really. How do you like your Miata? I would need it to be daily-able if I were to get into one.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/24/2016 at 13:39

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That really depends on your requirements of daily driving. If daily driving means getting yourself to work everyday, getting affordable gas mileage, and being able to pick up groceries on the way home from work, then yes it definitely works for that. With a luggage rack on the trunk, the car can easily be used for long road trips too with a passenger included and no minimalist packing procedures required. If your daily driving requirements include bringing along a third person, driving in silence (without ear plugs), and couch-like comfort, then you wont find that haha.

Anyways, I can tell you my scenario and why a Miata as my daily driver works for me. I live on my own with a roommate and we both work at the same place. Sometimes we carpool to work and take either his car (a Camry) or mine, without issue either way. Normal day to day I am just driving the car back and forth to work with a backpack and a gym bag in the trunk. During weekends in the summer, I am almost always off driving someplace just for fun and go all over the place for hiking, camping, and mountain biking (yes I do put a bike rack on it haha). For those weekend excursions, I take my luggage rack and generally use the passenger seat as well. But I also go on long trips with my girlfriend in which packing is done more efficiently using the trunk and rack. We have gone from NJ down to Florida as well as up to Toronto. During the winter, I honestly drive just as much since I am an avid skier and love to go up to Vermont. I again use the luggage rack to help pack my equipment and snow tires to handle the conditions. I think I take things a little far with the top-down life, but really it is so damn fun to drive top down in the worst of conditions. It makes me feel way more alive!

Overall, I feel like the Miata specifically is why I am enjoying all of these experiences so much. In other cars such as my Honda Civic, I was just going point A to point B, taking the short routes and using the highway to make good time. Now I just haven’t a care for how long it takes, I only care for what there is to see along the way and how many twisties I might be able to find. I think a totally stock Miata is great fun for everything. Sure people mod them for all sorts of racing and I have done some mild stuff for autocross, but in its stock form - its great!

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/24/2016 at 16:17

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Wow, thanks for the very detailed answer!

That convinces me that a roadster is the way to go. I’m an early/mid-20s male so I don’t need to have practicality if I’m honest. I don’t need a super comfy couch for a daily. Although I’d rather not drive a race car that bottoms out on every pothole. Sounds like a roadster is a good in between. Now I’m excited for the summer.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/25/2016 at 07:12

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Yeah, the suspension in a Miata is pretty mild when stock. Quite comfortable actually, hence why you see so many old people driving them haha. Definitely slow if you are used to 6 or 8 cyl power. But certainly feels faster than your regular Honda or Hyundai econoboxes. The gearing is done just right and with the VVT NB2s, the powerband is quite linear so I never feel like I need to ring it out just to get moving. If you can afford it, the S2k is a fun alternative but I didn’t have $10k extra to go that route lol. Overall, I am pretty eccentric I think and so make sure you are willing to make some compromises for it. I really don’t mind the inconvenience of the driver seat fitting me like a glove (no room to move at all, but it fits just right for me) or the lack of a back seat. But most people definitely would mind that in a daily!

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 05/25/2016 at 12:41

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Well then, I suppose the roadster life is calling me with its siren song now. Glad to hear the Miata has a comfortable suspension since I do value some comfort. Yeah, the Miata seems to be the reasonable choice with its price but S2ks just call out to me. It might just be the styling though. What can I say, I like looking at cars as much as I do driving and working on them. The lack of a backseat isn’t that big an issue for me I don’t think? I commute to work solo and at most I usually only have one passenger. I figure if I go out with a group then we can take someone else’s car or Uber there. Cant wait for the time to start shopping around now.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 05/25/2016 at 14:15

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I agree, the looks/styling of the s2k are much more attractive to me as well. And nothing beats that over 9000 rpm red line in the AP1s! I would like to own one some day when I can afford it. Just hoping they don’t start appreciating in value.