SYR->BTR->SYR in an FR-S

[Doubletap]

Originally Posted by PetrolioBenzina

Earplugs are cheap, and solve the long trip noise problem.

If driving alone, sure. Wouldn't help with the conversations with the passenger though (as the OP complained about). Plus it's illegal in some states.


http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/headsets/

[mazeroni]

Great write up!

This past summer I had to do:
Charlotte, NC to Nashville, TN
Back to Charlotte.
Then to Virginia Beach.
Back to Charlotte.
Then Back to Nashville.

I definitely agree on a number of points after spending that many hours in the car in that small window of time. Though, at no point did I spend more than 6 hours in a single stretch.

1. I mostly agree. Obviously the C-pillar makes backing out of spaces troublesome, but when going down the road, the car is so short that cars can't really hide in what little blind spot exists

2. Stock tires have been good to me in the rain. Snow was a no go. I'm getting MPSS this weekend this weekend, so we'll see about the rain.

3. I have HIDs and I find the car does a good job keeping things lit.

4. I'm 6'2" and 185. The car is great. A little tight in the shoulders (I have broad shoulders), but otherwise, the seat bottom did not numb my butt. Considering how low profile the seats are, I would have thought they would suck more.

5. Yup. So - freaking - loud. That whine at 80 mph gets on my nerves. Transmission, right?

6. Low car, low weight, small engine. Such good mpg.

7. Yup, very rare. Although I wouldn't mind coming across more of them.

8. Uhhh, ehhh. I have never done this... .... ...

9. I've seen youtube videos of people that jump in front of semis and the result KABOOM!.... If I am going to get in front of a semi, I always signal, get about 7-10 car lengths ahead, then slowly merge. Why play chicken with a 50-100 ton vehicle? But yea, respect for what they do.

10. The steering continues to impress me. I like the resistance. Although, on some mountain sections going through Tennessee, it really starts to wear on your arms.

11. There are certainly many ergonomic issues

12. I too would love a sunroof, even if it only popped up. Or if they did something like the MKZ where the entire thing retracts over the back glass. Yea, it would add a bunch of weight... but....

13. I am at 46K right now. The interior and exterior are looking a little worn (I live in an apartment so I can't really detail it as I would like) I'll be looking at 2017s before the warranty expires next summer. It'll depend on price though. They depreciate too much for me to buy new.

As far as I can tell, the powertrain is holding up well. There aren't many electronics or things that can go bad. I have to imagine the car would blow past 100K if I decided to keep it.

Also, in the mountains, the shifter made it really easy to grab a 6>3 shift to get around some cars and up the steeper hills. Despite blasting the AC and being at higher altitudes, the car felt like I was getting 100% without hesitation. Also, the brakes going down the hill did a good job. Firm feel and easy to modulate. Though more torque would have been great, I was able to stay in 6th most of the time.

[PetrolioBenzina]

Originally Posted by Doubletap

If driving alone, sure. Wouldn't help with the conversations with the passenger though (as the OP complained about). Plus it's illegal in some states.


http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/headsets/

Im takling about earplugs as in hearing protection, not more noise. Dont care if its illegal either.

[humfrz]

Speaking of road noise ....... our FR-S seems quiet compared to our 88,000 miles, mostly top down, in our Miata, with an aftermarket muffler.

mrs humfrz learned to use "sign language" to communicate with me.

* rubbing her stomach meant she was hungry
* shaking an empty water bottle at me meant she was thirsty
* sitting on her foot meant she had to pee
* sucking air out of the A/C vent meant she was hot
* with her arms and legs stretched out and her eyes tightly closed meant I was going too fast on mountain curves
* sitting on the roll bar, with her feet on the seat cushion, with her arms in the air meant she had had enough for the day

Of course, it wasn't ALWAYS hot out .......


humfrz

[MuseChaser]

Originally Posted by Doubletap

Probably not going to help much with the noise (but every bit helps) have you plugged the sound tube hole on the passenger side? Also in addition to some sound deadening material, get a trunk lid liner from a Subaru dealer, might reduce the noise from the back as well.

Both good ideas, and both done (WeatherTech trunk liner rather than dealership, but same idea) within the first month of ownership. Wait.. trunk LID liner? Maybe I misunderstood.. a piece made to deaden the lid itself? Hmmm... might have to look into that. Thanks.

Re/ the suggestion to use earplugs.. for lawn work, power tools, high-volume concerts, etc., sure, absolutely, they're as essential to me as oxygen. In the car.. no thank you. I need to hear sirens of approaching emergency vehicles, other motorists' horns, motorcycles, and all kinds of things on the road. There's a reason they're illegal in many states. It's a good reason. There are plugs made that filter out portions of the audio spectrum, but not all.. I suppose they may be a good compromise. I don't have any experience with them, so I can't make any intelligent comments there. Who knows.. maybe I'm just out of intelligent comments..

[EnoOnraefi]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

Both good ideas, and both done (WeatherTech trunk liner rather than dealership, but same idea) within the first month of ownership. Wait.. trunk LID liner? Maybe I misunderstood.. a piece made to deaden the lid itself? Hmmm... might have to look into that. Thanks.

Re/ the suggestion to use earplugs.. for lawn work, power tools, high-volume concerts, etc., sure, absolutely, they're as essential to me as oxygen. In the car.. no thank you. I need to hear sirens of approaching emergency vehicles, other motorists' horns, motorcycles, and all kinds of things on the road. There's a reason they're illegal in many states. It's a good reason. There are plugs made that filter out portions of the audio spectrum, but not all.. I suppose they may be a good compromise. I don't have any experience with them, so I can't make any intelligent comments there. Who knows.. maybe I'm just out of intelligent comments..

As the guy blasting people with those horns and sirens I agree! Please don't block all sound. It isn't safe.

[Vracer111]

They attenuate (reduce) the sound, not block it out. I can hear any emergency vehicle and other cars quite fine with the Shure's in... drive with the windows open most of the time as well. Plus I'm not an oblivious driver like most seem to be; mirrors adjusted perfectly for zero blind spots, constant monitoring of the traffic situation around me, and in a constant state of defensive driving. My hearing is important to me (I have a great love for music and HT), driving in a loud car will absolutely degrade your hearing... the FRS is a loud car stock, even louder when modified.

[Doubletap]

Originally Posted by MuseChaser

Both good ideas, and both done (WeatherTech trunk liner rather than dealership, but same idea) within the first month of ownership. Wait.. trunk LID liner? Maybe I misunderstood.. a piece made to deaden the lid itself? Hmmm... might have to look into that. Thanks.

By itself, it may not deaden the sound but I stuck some material behind it before I put it on my car. Admittedly this alone wouldn't make the car quiet. But let's face it, this car is NOT quiet. We can only make it bearable at best.


Part no. 94511CA040

[PetrolioBenzina]

Originally Posted by EnoOnraefi

As the guy blasting people with those horns and sirens I agree! Please don't block all sound. It isn't safe.

Having ridden a motorcycle for over 25 years, almost all of that with earplugs, I disagree. They don't "block all sound".

[PetrolioBenzina]

Originally Posted by Vracer111

They attenuate (reduce) the sound, not block it out. I can hear any emergency vehicle and other cars quite fine with the Shure's in... drive with the windows open most of the time as well. Plus I'm not an oblivious driver like most seem to be; mirrors adjusted perfectly for zero blind spots, constant monitoring of the traffic situation around me, and in a constant state of defensive driving. My hearing is important to me (I have a great love for music and HT), driving in a loud car will absolutely degrade your hearing... the FRS is a loud car stock, even louder when modified.

The 86 is a much quieter car as well, but trip prep for June includes a supply of earplugs. My days of SoCal to MN in one shot are long over, but even then with earplugs I could go a lot longer without getting wasted by noise.

You young dudes need to start thinking about your ears, you're not immune.

[EnoOnraefi]

Originally Posted by PetrolioBenzina

Having ridden a motorcycle for over 25 years, almost all of that with earplugs, I disagree.

Motorcycles are a bit different.. there is no sound deadening between you and the emergency vehicle. In a modern car there is a lot of sound deadening that happens on stock vehicles. There are exceptions to every rule though..

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by PetrolioBenzina

...........
You young dudes need to start thinking about your ears, you're not immune.

WHAT ....????

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by PetrolioBenzina

Having ridden a motorcycle for over 25 years, almost all of that with earplugs, I disagree. They don't "block all sound".

Did you ever consider putting a muffler on that thing .....??




humfrz

[PetrolioBenzina]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Did you ever consider putting a muffler on that thing .....??

humfrz

Seven bikes, all stock exhaust except one, and that was no louder than stock. It was always about wind noise, and I could/can hear ambient sounds like sirens and horns just fine, thanks.