I have my hardtop on only on colder days, and when it's just blazing hot in the summer. Once it's around 70-80's I take the hardtop off until it gets to hot, or to cold out again. I'll probably take my hardtop off this weekend since it's getting nicer out. Our weather hasn't decided what it wants to do yet since it's nice one day, and freezing the next.

 

I'm really considering a HT from spyder. It's either a HT or an exhaust......HT is winning

 

I have had 3 different exhausts and I have my OEM back on, but havent ever considered selling my hardtop since I got it. So yeah I would say get a hardtop first. Spyder would be the guy to get one from if you want a Mugen replica, I actually have his rear window and all his upgraded seals on my VIS top. He is a really good guy and looks like his tops fit well, and he stands behind his products. Not to mention he will paint the top, install the window, then ship it to you. He will also install it for you if you are local to him which is sweet.

 

The wind noise is almost nonexistent with a soft top, even at speed with the windows up. It's livable, but it isn't anything extreme. You may want to check your softtop alignment (Or the quality of the softtop) if it's excessively loud. For top down, using a raised windscreen, as in higher than the small stock one will GREATLY reduce the wind noise in the car. Just some improvements for you to do, no need for a hardtop unless you want the extra protection of one.

 

Yea I saw his thread. The fit looks good. If I buy, it's definitely from him.

It's almost Chaser quality

 

I use "Hearos Xtreme" earplugs. You can buy them at Walgreens for a few bucks...a lot cheaper than buying a hardtop. I can still hear the radio with the top down on the highway if I turn it up to 30 or so.

 

I have a CR also, the noise isn't bad at all! It's noisy if you compare it to a corolla, but it's definitely livable. I have an aftermarket radio with great sound, but most of the time BOTH windows are down and I have no complaints ever from lady friends. When it's up, it's very mellow inside, no engine/exhaust drone. You have to get a ride in a hardtop car to determine yourself. Upgrade your stereo too and you'll love it.

 

The convertible top appears to be one of the thinnest on convertibles out there, mainly to save weight. If you looked at a luxury coupe, you'd find thicker tops, in some cases up to 1 inch thick. So if a hard top is out, and ear plugs are not the final solution, there might be a way to add a temporary liner to thicken the top. I'm wondering if that would work well or not. I know someone has sold (or still sells) interior top headliners. If you don't plan to drop the top when they are on, you might be able to put a thicker one in for the trip. I do a similar trip, but you might try, if you have time during the daylight, going up and down PCH.

Also, this almost make me wonder if an active noise cancellation device could be connected to the audio system, and whether it would work.

 

Proper car? I consider the S2000 to be a proper car because of the incredible handling, and F1 inspired cockpit and engine. I got it to be my track car, so I've always intended to put a hard top on it sooner or later and remove the soft top mechanism. Actually, I kind of wished it was made as a coupe because then they might have been able to shave some more weight by removing some of the things to strengthen the chassis since it's convertible.

Don't get me wrong though, I do love top down motoring. I'm hoping to get the new Z4 when I can afford it, but that's not going to be for a long while.


Hmm.. you're right I kind of knew there's something wrong with the soft top for it to be so incredibly loud, but I've kind of gotten annoyed dealing with it. I mean I already paid a lot of money for a new one and to get it installed, and it still isn't fixed. Maybe that's my fault for not doing enough research, but it just seems like more hassle than it's worth considering the amount of highway driving I have to do.

 

I'd say ride in another softtop car, then one with a hardtop and decide. Noise is too subjective of a topic.