It is actually pretty quiet compared to some other roadsters. Now, my S2000 back in the day was loud. If you are hearing creaks from behind or from the passenger side, I've noticed these 2 things:

1. The passenger side seatbelt might rattle some over uneven pavement. I had similar issues in my past roadsters. Plug the seatbelt in when its not being used. It solves it.

2. If you are tall-ish, (or your passenger is tall-ish) and you have seat all the way back, it is likely touching the rollbars and behind the seat. The leather-plastic rubbing squeaks alot. Unfortunately, the only way to resolve this is move the seats up so they don't touch. If you are tall, thats a problem. If you are a little shorter (I'm 5-8), I can just move it enough to not touch.

I made these 2 "mods" and the cabin is much less noisy. I mean, I don't mind hearing the engine roar some. Actually, I kinda like it most of the time. But I always hate the creaks, squeaks, and rattles. Its minimized quite a bit now.

Just a couple of small suggestions. Otherwise, like what others said: It's a convertible, its gonna be louder than what you are probably used to, esp. with the top up.

Roadster Thoughts on Sound....
 

Some thoughts, most have already been eluded to in the thread....

- "annoying sound" is a subjective assessment -- my ZR has significantly less noise than the 09 MX-5 I traded in for it - the noise is acceptable to me.

- I have a roadster because I like sunshine & wind MORE than I like a quite riding car.

- The stock Bose system is up to the task of drowning out most annoying sounds in this car

- Haven't noticed any rattles yet, however, I've only got about 150 miles on mine thanks to mother nature -- but I'm holding out that at some point SPRING will arrive...<grin>

My $.02

I find that a tad hard to believe.

2010 Nissan 370Z Test Drive on Edmunds.com

"With the top down and the windows up, the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster's cockpit is virtually free of wind buffeting, allowing those within to converse without having to shout. And as we mentioned earlier, with the cockpit closed up, the roadster is quieter on the freeway than the coupe. We asked Nissan about it, and the carmaker attributed it to the fact that the convertible has a partition between the passenger and cargo areas, whereas the coupe has an open area that ostensibly admits more noise toward the cockpit."

Looks like a fairly subjective observation ... they didn't apples to apples compare the coupe to the roadster with a db meter along the same roadway. It's a fairly believable explanation though. I've got fairly decent roads around where I live and I don't notice much road noise with the top up. I imagine that the roadster might be noisier on rougher roads given it's not quite as stiff as the coupe

yeah, like I said earlier, noise is so subjective, that any of these rags that want to discuss noise should be using (at least) a $20 decibel meter from radioshack.

You're right Frost, If they want scientific results they would do that, but I think the reason they don't is these are anecdotal observations and not part of the criteria by which they are rating the car.

I'd bet a more thorough investigation would find that the noise levels between the coupe and the roadster vary depending on the road conditions. I'm willing to believe the roadster is quieter on a smooth freeway -- the soft top is nicely lined and there is a separation between the rear of the car and the passenger area, but noisier on rough roads where some shudder from the slightly less stiff chassis can increase noise


Anyway, there's too much hullabaloo about 370z road noise. It's like most reviewers of the 370z almost feel embarrassed by how much they love the car that they have to say *something* negative or the critic in them dies just a little bit :)

I tested both back-to-back and noted no discernible difference between the two on some smooth freeway, without gravel or road imperfections and just the tire, engine and exhaust note to hear.

Need help with buzzing noise
 

I purchased a 2009 370z a month ago and I absolutely love it. Except there is
a buzzing noise that comes from the back of the car when I drive over a non-smooth surface and when I close the door. Can anyone help me, thanks

Agreed. They should put that right smack next to the oil temp gauge and then tell everyone the car is safe to operate at 95 decibels even if your ears go into limp mode.

You want to hear a loud z roadster, come ride in mine with the 20" GT-R wheels! My first thought was that I was being tailgated by a monster truck, but after that first day, I settled into the raw, visceral sensations that abound in this car and now I'm hooked on all those things. They're part of the experience of this car, and I crave them!

And come to think of it, an aftermarket exhaust with a throaty warble is money well spent on several levels - even if you don't care about performance gains, you'll appreciate having a new soundtrack distracting you from the less-appealing road noise.

With a CAI and CBE the car sings when you touch the accelerator. Cruising there is a lot of tire noise but that's about all. I will see how that changes when the cold weather tires go on this weekend.