fletch

I had an 04 Boxster that had top issues. It drove me nuts flopping in the wind with almost a rattling sound. The dealer was nice about it they replaced the inner liner, installed wool tape on the rails all of which helped about 30% of the noise. I am interested in a New Boxster or Cayman in a couple of years and I am really having a hard time choking on the price of a Cayman. So I am or would consider a Boxster S if the top problems were taken care of.

I realise that convertable tops make racket (to a degree) but that being said the problem I had was unacceptable. Just wondering if any of the new cars have had some of the same issues.

type987s

Mine rattles more than my old miata :-)
Dealer adjusted it but didn't help much. You may wanna go for the cayman if rattles drive you nutts.

designman

I’ve driven many Porsche ragtops from the 911 to 996 to 986. They all rattled like a bag of popcorn cooking in a microwave. Can’t vouch for the new ones but I’m inclined to bet they’re the same.

Aside from that, the new Porsche droptops are supposed to have an extra liner to make them quieter, but I think it probably muffles the road noise so you notice the rattles even more. Best cure for rattles—put the top down.

lowside67

Hear hear, the Boxster was still designed first and foremost as a sports car - the rattles, engine noise, tire noise, etc are all elements of the "raw" nature of the car. The way Porsche kept the weight on these cars so low was to make do with some padding/cushioning/deadening etc.

My Boxster S was not quiet by a long shot, the 996 cabrio seems to be a little better but not much.

The hardtop didnt make a ton of difference for me either (on the Boxster)

gfl

I cant say that I've ever even noticed the top noise; once its up and the windows closed, its the engine noise that dominates. My car is fairly new - only about 3000 miles, although its an 04.

Grant

bruinbro

My 2000 S top doesn't make any noise until 120mph, then it starts to buzz a little where the window meets the fabric. Not very noticeable, though.

Bro

arenared

My 2000 S top also has no noise--at least none that I've noticed at any reasonable speeds.

Ray S

No top noise or rattles in my 2000 2.7 even at track speeds.

Dave-Montreal

Have a 2001 and never had top rattles, even at 100+, but did have squeaks from the top on a couple of occasions, which the dealer fixed by lubricating all the rubber top seals. If your top rattles, go and bug the dealer again. If it's flapping in the wind, maybe the fabric is not tight enough on the frame.

Brian_77_3.6

Had my 01 for 6 months now and have taken a few long trips with speeds to 90MPH and not rattles or squeaks. Actually I am very suprised at how little wind and road noise I can hear with the top up and windows closed. Much better then my 1986 Carrera Targa was.

Turboflyer

THe hard top solves the problem. Of course with the soft top down you dont hear any rattles either..

Gumbo

Top up? Why would someone do that? I only put it up in heavy rain. But then again, I do live in Florida.

scycle2020

my 05 didnt have any rattles...very quiet for a convertible....

perfectlap

120! best reply of the day

I also have a 2000 S with a liner and its only 850% quieter than my 1.8 Miata with vinly and glass top. One of the more quiet roadsters I've ever been in.
The stereo works very well at 60mph withou having to raise the volume.

CarsRGood

Seems like it would be easy enough to get a test drive. I have an '06 and find it to be releatively quiet for a convertible - even over 80 MPH. Of course I drive more than 90% top down in So Cal which is exactly why I have a roadster. You don't sound like a convertible kind of guy. If the noise is more annoying than driving top down is enjoyable I would suggest a coupe. Personally I would have preferred the Cayman engine package - but the top down experience is more important to me.