noise levels?

I'm shopping for a '99-'01. Beyond features/colors, are there improvements in quietness/integrity/overall refinement in the later model years? Thanks for your help. Jim R., N. CA.

Ribbon Man, I think I know what youre looking for. After you buy the car, remove the rear seats and carpet. Insulate the entire metal surface with Dynamat, or other asphalt sound proofing material. Remove the front carpet sections, do the same. Door panels and rear quarters, the same. I think you will drastically reduce the interior noise. You cant buy the car already quiet, its not made for that purpose . But its like the stereo system, you can improve it.

There were changes to the materials used on the dash and the center consol on the 00-01 vs. the 99 cars. The dash/consol material change does not effect functionality or sound deadening but it is different and some consider it a �refinement� to the interior materials. There are also a couple of other minor changes such as the moving from silver levers to illuminated buttons on the two hood releases (not sure if that happened in 00 or 01) and the addition of the micro lighting to illuminate the ignition. There are also options that were available during all these model years that could increase the refined feeling of the cockpit (i.e. full leather seats instead of just the seating surface being leather, supple leather seats, leather covered dash, etc.).

I agree. I installed dynamat on my old Porsche and it did make a huge difference. Make sure you buy Dynamat Extreme and install more than one layer. Original Dynamat is practically worthless compared to Dynamat Extreme.

How hard is it to remove the seats and carpets? Are the carpets pre-shaped pieces that go back into place easily?

Man you guys kill me. I'll never underestimate this forum again. My 30+ years in audio & music indicates the above advice is "sound" (no pun intended). Thanks a million.

Pull off bottom seats, unbolt seat backs. Carpet is one piece and is glued onto shaped foam body. Its just set in the compartment. It is stuck under the panels about a inch or two all around the edges. There is a piece behind the center console thats hard to get in and out w/out taking the console out or pulling it up to free that piece. When its all off, just start fitting the mat. Cover everything throughly . The usual 1/8 " thick mat doesnt effect putting any of the panels or carpet back. You can pull back the front carpet but its harder to deal with. If you take the seats out its a lot easier.

Sounds like this is my next weekend project. Just ordered the Dynamat Xtreme.

Why are you guys doing this? What sound is it that you are trying to muffle? I am using a minimal amount of dynamat for use with my stereo (aftermarket), however if you are not doing a system, why add weight to the car? Why muffle the sound of the engine? Road noise? Get new tires. Help me to understand?

I'm with you on this, Robyn - I'm still spending money to make my car louder Steve in AZ

Me too, I am a bit confused. Besides a minor cab top rattle here and there, there is no sound coming from my Porsche that I want to muffle! ;-) I'm spending my $$ like Steve, to make my car louder!

I found an excellent fix for cab rattles....bypass pipes!! They muffle the sound of rattles...and road noise from crappy, noisy Continential SC2's...AND...you lose the weight of the mufflers! (60lbs) I'm am just a bit miffed. We've bought sports cars, not a Lexus.

Already re-did the stereo system and have new tires; just want to reduce the road noise/white noise level.

While I am not one to subscribe to the quest for silence and I am not one that would put Dynamat in my car (in fact I am still considering the options for more sound from the exhaust ), there is a rather large group of individuals who want the style, power and handling of a Porsche but want the vault like quiet of a luxury sedan. There is also those that are seeking perfection in their audio systems which is enhanced with less road noise. There is nothing wrong with the quest for a quiet ride.

Here's my viewpoint: when I hear the flat-6 rev I want to pull over & have this car's baby right now. I almost pass out it feels so good. Is this not clear enough? When Consumer Reports labels a motor sound as "invigorating", you know you need to hear more of it................ The sound I want to minimize is road noise, air noise, tire noise, & general noise emanating from the body. As a sound & music person, the less noise of this type, the better I can hear the 6 rev as the years pass. Louder exhaust is bad, again, because I want to preserve my hearing. Ear damage is a function of SPL & duration, meaning even moderate noise levels over an extended period can cause damage. My sum total 996 experience is 3 cars. The first was a ratty & noisy '99 coupe, second a luxouriously quiet (except for the above exhaust noise) new '04 Cab, & third a like-new low-miles '00 coupe (slightly more unwanted noise vs. the '04 Cab). Dats wut Im tawkn bowt, now, y'heer?