I’ve been looking around for a new car that’ll be my daily I had a 2015 Ford Mustang V6 for a couple years until my mom wanted the car which I was perfectly fine with but now I need a new car. I stumbled upon the S2000 and I fell in love with it because I wanted a car that was easy to work on and modify, some thing unique and that’ll last me a long time. I’ve been doing some researching about the car and the only issue that concerns me is how loud the car is. Not engine or exhaust per-say but more like highway noise. My questions are how did you over come this problem? Is it possible to use sound isolation material? What’s been your experience? That’s really my only issue that’s holding me back about buying the car. Let me know what you think! Thank you!

 

Not engine or exhaust per-say but more like highway noise.
- It's a high revving convertible with a short wheel base, you're essentially sitting on the rear diff so... I mean...

My questions are how did you over come this problem?
- I didn't, I accepted those quirks of the car before I purchased it. It's part of the car. That's like people asking how did you get over the weight of a car. It's not a problem if you knew exactly what you're getting into.

Is it possible to use sound isolation material? What’s been your experience?
- The previous owner of mine did sound deadening and added around ~20-30 pounds of material through the car. If I were to compare to a sedan from the same era, it's still louder on the freeway.

P.S. if the S2000 is your ONLY car. You will more likely hate it than to love it due to its limitation as a 2 seater convertible, not because it's a Honda S2000.

My advice is that if the S2000 is going to be your ONLY car, then it's the wrong car for you.

 

You’d likely need a lot of sound deadening to make it as quiet as the mustang was.

 

I have a S2000 as my only car for some years now and the issue you are raising is actually for me too the single biggest downside of the S as a daily. There is no real way around it, either you put up with it and love the car for its strengths or decide it's not the car for you. Hardtop / sound insulation material / quiet exhaust all help some, but it's not going to change enough over stock to significantly improve upon it .

 

It all depends on your tolerance level. I 3 season dd with a 100 mile commute. Don't mind the noise level.

For me its really only a problem with a passenger, as its so difficult to talk to them.

I am planning some light weight sound deadening. Already did the doors. Not trying to remake the car into something its not, just taking the edge off.

 

It´s not a car.
It is a very, very comfortable Motorcycle. You stay dry in the rain, you have wiperrs for perfect vision while driving in the rain, you have air condition, stereo, heating.... It is a very comfortable Motrocycle.
With 4 wheels.

 

I think "Cosomiller" on this forum has a thread detailing what sound deadening he used, in order to make the car significantly quieter.

I agree that this car sucks as a highway cruiser because of the noise.

Most people just get used to it over time, as their hearing gets more and more damaged.

I myself always require at least 3 or 4 "WAT?" before I can comprehend what people in the room are saying to me.

But there's no harm in modding the car to suit your needs from it. People mod this car all the time to suit their tastes.

I think that if someone were able to develop a rear fender liner for this car, it would make a MASSIVE difference. Currently, running over a pebble sounds like hitting an entire boulder.

I would focus my efforts in sound deadening above the wheel wells and on the rear deck area.

 

Yeah, what they all said. This thing sucks ballz with the top up, everything seems to get boom-ier and louder. The only way I can tolerate it is by never driving with the top up. That requires a second car. Some people can tolerate it and DD the thing. More power to them.

I have added vibration deadening material to the car but no sound deadening yet. It takes some sting from some rattles and rocks bouncing off the bottom but doesn't really make it quieter. @Cosmomiller did a nice sound deadening writeup but the 3M materials he used is expensive! Like $200/sqft!

 

I would not daily drive an S2000.

 

I've been daily driving my '01 since I drove it off the floor in 2001. Loved all 182k miles that I've put on it. Only problem I had with wind noise is when my strikers got a little loose. Upgraded to Hard Top strikers and it's fine.