Try a JIC bullet exhaust without the silencers on. You will literally go deaf. Stock is very modest sounding compared to aftermarket.

 

I've been using earplugs since 2000 for long distance top down driving. I already have significant hearing loss from being a musician and soundman in my misspent youth, not to mention my years on ships in the navy.

 

Hmmm.. it's not that loud. It's not enough to even bother me.

 

If I'm top down on the highway, I drive windows up and just turn the radio down or off. Turning it up to overcome the wind noise will do more damage to your ears. If its a distance drive, say 3 hours or more, I'll just keep the top up.

 

Like CaptainMike I also use earplugs. Been using them on motorcycles for 40 years. If I listen to music I use my iPod with Etymotic Research earplug speakers. Great sound and very low wind/road noise.

 

Get yourself a set of Hearos (I got the hi-fidelity ones) just for the car. They attenuate everything, uniformly, by about 18db, enough to make driving comfortable but not enough to cut off all sound. If you get pulled over, you'll be able to have a conversation without even taking them out (although I'd do so). They're also great for airplane trips. HPH

 

Really that bad?

It's all a matter of expectation, if I take a long trip on freeway, I either drive little slower or top up.

 

Sell the car and buy something with a fixed roof.

 

Believe me, the thought has crossed my mind. This is my 6th droptop (8th if you count targas), but only the 3nd one I've used as a daily driver. While it is not mind-shatterinly loud, I register 84db with a handheld db meter in the cockpit with the stereo off at 75 mph, with the windows down, and 92db at 90 mph. OSHA REQUIRES hearing protection at continuous 90db for 8 hour exposure.

I however, already have significant hearing loss (permanent and progressive) from other sources; 20+ years of 1500w speakers, drumsets, gas turbines, 16 cyl diesels, race cars, you name it... I'm already at the "WHAT, WHAT, WHAT???" stage whenever I'm trying to communicate in a noisy environment (almost all the time on a ship). SO yeah, I'm an old fogey who wears earplugs to drive his convertible sportscar.
I also wear 45 SPF sunscreen, though with 2 skin cancer operations under my belt, this may be a case of shutting the agricultural structure's door after the departure of the bovine inhabitants.

My advice is if you like to drive long distances on the hwy with the top down especially if you blast the stereo so you can hear it over road/wind, wear earplugs,... and kids, don't forget the sunscreen!
Did I mention, "I'M A RAGTOP MAN!"

Cheers,
Mike

 

Don't drive 80 on the highway?

I commute 55 miles one way. It's not the daily driver, but the DD got 2 flat tires on the way in today, so the S came to work today. at 65 it wasn't bad at all. At 80 it was far louder, and at higer speeds louder still. Seemed like it wasn't a linear increase either.