convertible body noise/abrupt ride?

[red and black]

How much more "abrupt" or noisy is the convertible versus the coupe? This 1998 only has a tick over 7,000 miles but it seems to "thud and thump" much more than my 2002 coupe did. It also gives the rear end a much more "abrupt" feel.

I haven't totally discounted the shocks but with only 7k miles, I wonder?

Tires are the original Goodyear Eagle GT's and appear to be perfect though the rubber is probably getting a bit stiffer from age and "work hardened", since it'll break traction in a heartbeat.

Possibly the vert has that much more flex but I tend not to drive it as frisky as I would with my prior C5, nor would I on these older tires (the car was stored in a showroom type heated garage), and show no signs of age, but I still keep it at a max of 70 till I get new rubber on.

Would tower to tower braces be recommended on a vert? I don't wan't to go too nuts with swapping parts because my 02 was just fine dead stock.

 

[LLC5]

How much more "abrupt" or noisy is the convertible versus the coupe? This 1998 only has a tick over 7,000 miles but it seems to "thud and thump" much more than my 2002 coupe did. It also gives the rear end a much more "abrupt" feel.

I haven't totally discounted the shocks but with only 7k miles, I wonder?

Tires are the original Goodyear Eagle GT's and appear to be perfect though the rubber is probably getting a bit stiffer from age and "work hardened", since it'll break traction in a heartbeat.

Possibly the vert has that much more flex but I tend not to drive it as frisky as I would with my prior C5, nor would I on these older tires (the car was stored in a showroom type heated garage), and show no signs of age, but I still keep it at a max of 70 till I get new rubber on.

Would tower to tower braces be recommended on a vert? I don't wan't to go too nuts with swapping parts because my 02 was just fine dead stock.

Torsional rigidity is the same on coupe and convertible, as the C5 platform was designed as a convertible from the start. I have never seen a shock tower brace on a C5, but I do know that you definitely don't need one. My guess would be the tires. If your tires are the OEM run flats then you have a very stiff sidewall designed to go 200 miles with no air (per GM spec's, not Goodyear's). Newer run flats are designed to go 50-100 miles with no air, and ride and handle much better. Enjoy your ride.

 

[red and black]

Thanks LLC5. I did not like the Goodyears on the coupe and since they need changing anyway went over to a softer shouldered Hankook. They were only on that car for a month so my basis for comparison was limited. I'll be back to a softer run flat for sure.