Windows Down and Sunroof Open

Hey guys, I'm just wondering how noisy is a 996 with the windows DOWN and the sunroof open at speed? I drive my pickup truck with the windows down whenever possible but it's really noisy above 80 km/h. I'm wondering if the aerodynamic shape of the 996 would help with that? Maybe having the sunroof open as well would help smooth out the airflow by giving the air a place to escape? I know they'll buffet with the roof open and windows closed. I'm wondering whether or not the noise is tolerable with the windows down, sunroof open and cruising at speed. Thanks

noise is subjective but I drive with windows and sunroof open at every oppertunity some times even at the triple digit speeds and noise is a non-issue.

I drive with the windows down and sunroof open on the freeway and noise is never an issue. I find the buffetting inside messes up my 'doo, but I enjoy the fact that I still have enough hair left for the wind to do that.

I haven't found buffetting to be a real issue. I drive with my windows down whenever I can, and my sunroof open. I also drive with the windows up and the sunroof open sometimes. The shape of the car does help with the overall wind noise, but make no mistake, it's not quiet. A 996 at highway speed isn't quiet with the windows closed and the sunroof closed.

Mine buffets a lot with sunroof open and windows up. Much less so as soon as I crack a window.

not to hijack the thread, but, does anyone know if the newer 996/997 cars suffer from as much tire noise as the early cars? mine is a 2000 w/sumi's which are a LOT quieter than the pirelli's that came off. i was just wondering if the factory "discovered" the sweet spot to add some sound insulation.

Sound deadening would add weight but I think most cars these days have at least a thin layer of it. Carpetting is close enough. With the window down its other cars that are more of a racket. I don't recall a lot of buffeting with the roof angularly opened and windows completely open. BUT get the windows partially closed near the top and roof slightly opened and you'll probably be undoing the last thing you did. Got flashbacks of hurricane Ewa I got so loudly buffeted. No the car doesn't make to much noise with only the windows down. Of course a few days ago the ear test said I'm off my baseline for hearing. Couldn't be the army doing it.....could it? Note: If you do play music with the windows down its going to end up pretty loud music wise.

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Hey! don't have to rub it in! I find either both windows and/or the sunroof open will defiantly eliminate any buffeting, but as far as noise, i find the it very difficult to maintain a conversation with any passenger without resorting to shouting... Although, YMMV.

For long drives above 65mph, sunroof open and windows closed is hard on the ears and definitely prevents conversation. Cracking or opening the window diminishes the noise but still precludes comfortable talking. I have wondered if the front portion of the sunroof could be aesthetically modified to improve airflow.

RE the buffering with roof open and windows up.... I solved that! the 86' cab run roof open and windows up.. ZERO NOISE, ZERO BUFFERING I love it

Porsche has focused upon the coefficient of drag and lift more with these later cars than upon keeping buffeting when opened up to a minimum. They don't necessarily work well together. I personally found that some of the earlier sunroofs created less buffeting than the sunroof in the 996 and 997.

I am always scared to rip off the headliner when driving too fast with all windows open, what do you guys thinks, in my old VW Jetta, after driving constantly with window open, my whole headliner looked like crap, the cloth piece simply unglued itself from the hardback and was falling off from everywhere. I see Porsche seems to have a sturdy headliner, but any feedback on this ?

I'm just a little over six feet tall and I think my head is just too close to the opening to be comfortable, even with the rear bottom of the seat all the way down like I like it. Sometimes I flip the hatch, but the sunroof in my car mostly serves as a constant rattle on all but the smoothest of roads.