You're gonna get a fair amount of noise from ANY Corvette, Dan. If you look at the design, the rear wheels are right behind the passenger compartment, and with the aggressive tires used on the Corvette, road noise (especially on the rough pavement you described) is problematic. I just swapped my '99 roadster (straight across for a '67 SS396 convert!) for the same reasons. The problem is exacerbated in the coupes because what you have is essentially an amphitheater behind you and the noise is redirected forward right at the passenger compartment.
Last Corvette I owned previous to the C5 was a '69 big-block roadster, and honestly aside from the overall level of sophistication (suspension, brakes, drivetrain & amenities), the overall driving experience of the C5 was still pretty much the same as the '69. The seating position, the way the front wheel humps impinge on the forward view, the shape of the windshield and the viewable area through it, the relationship of the driver and the controls... all pretty much the same. The part I enjoyed most about the car, however, was the consistent 25-27mpg I got at 70-75mph! For us, the 'Vette was our "economy" car... If you really have your heart set on a 'Vette, Dan, you can add more sound deadener back there and switch to a set of Michelin Pilots. Both will help reduce the noise, but it's still an aggravation... at least it was to me. Besides that, I watched the value of the 'Vette continue to decline, while the value of the '67 'vert keeps going up. Plus, I get a lot more thumbs up in the Chevelle! No brainer for me. Besides, I think I'm done mid-lifin'. Good luck with your decision. Chuck on 4/7/07 8:30 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Jeeze Dan, did you hit the freaking lottery? Old trucks and Corvettes; you're > my idol. > > -----Original Message----- >> From: Dan Mascheck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Sent: Apr 7, 2007 9:55 AM >> To: 'The Chevelle Mailing List' <[email protected]> >> Subject: [Chevelle-list] Off topic >> >> I just test drove a 2000 Corvette with a 350. I like the car and it's very >> low mileage and very clean! The only problem we had, was driving the car on >> rough texture asphalt roads. The noise coming from the rear hatch was pretty >> bad. Could it be a leaking rear hatch seal or a misfit rear hatch? The hatch >> seems flush when you inspect it in the rear and I did look at the gasket and >> it seems OK. >> >> The car drives like a dream, is very responsive, but when you hit the >> rougher asphalt, and have to drive on it for many miles the sound can be >> deafening. Trying to talk in the car is a major pain and while it has a >> great Bose Stereo, what good is it with all the noise. >> >> If the noise is a problem with Vettes, I don't want one, old or new! >> >> Dan Mascheck >> >> >> > >
