Coupe v. Cabriolet Road Noise

[pabille]

I'm patiently waiting for the Passion Coupe I ordered as a commuter car. I intend on using it for my 30 mile commute some of which is highway but mostly city streets. I was wondering if the noise is significantly lower in a Coupe versus a Cabriolet. I test drove a Coupe at the Road Show but not long enough to discover noises while driving. I do understand because of its size and weight that noise is significant.
Being the owner of a ragtop sports car, I know what little sound insulation comes from a cloth top. When driving my roadster with the top up, tire and engine noise from large semi trucks to 4x4s to compacts makes conversation interesting.
I opted not to go with a Cabriolet (actually my 1st choice) because I thought that a Coupe would be quieter but a plexiglass top with pull over shade probably can no way compare to an insulated headliner.
I'm really a car nut at heart. I love the sounds from my car's engine, gears and exhaust. While I'm patiently waiting, I just wonder what it would be like to whiz by a F-350 with monster mudders or a boulevard cruiser with a sound system pumpin' 12" subwoofers.

[SmartCard]

I do not think there is a significant difference between the road noise between the two, as you pointed out, as the coupe with the big panoramic roof is lacking in insulation. (A true comparo would be between the pure and cab.) This minimal difference would be especially true during city driving. Haven't tested a cabrio above 55 mph, but I would suspect at 70 mph that the cab would be noisier. But not to worry - you've ordered the coupe anyway!

[Westfield 11]

My cabrio is pretty quiet on the freeway, even in cross winds. It's even better with the top raised......

[tbranca]

This may seem hard to beleave but the Cabriolet is Quieter

[pabille]

Originally Posted by tbranca

This may seem hard to beleave but the Cabriolet is Quieter

That's interesting. Is it because the cloth roof of the cab absorbs sounds better than the resonant polycarbonate roof?

[GHammerly]

How about a Db reading to see the truth.

[tbranca]

the only thing I don't like about the cab is the smaller Rear Window. but you got to admit its one of the nicest rag tops around.

[Smartdavis]

I don't see much difference between the thickness of the single pane of glass that makes up the side windows and the plastic that makes up the roof on the passion. I would think the noise that comes through the side windows is what sets the noise level inside.

[Amethyste]

Doesnt matter for me - with the level of Db I crank my radio at - I cant hear a thing * Grin *

[tbranca]

ok this morning I opened the roof it was 21' and after I closed it I am now hearing I lot of wind noise. I tried opening and closing it a couple of times. but it didn't help. The cold really effects the seals. just a heads up. I still love my car. ;)