Earplugs for 914 Driving?, Plus a fun AI cartoon Options

[Stev914]

Just returned from a very nice country drive in my 914-4. I'm putting it away for the Winter, so this was a great last drive of the year. I prefer to drive it with the top off, and it's about to get very chilly here in Michigan for late Fall and Winter. After owning it for a few months and putting about 800 miles on it, I feel like I am just starting to learn to drive it well. My motor memory has mastered the vague gearbox and the engine really purrs between 3,500 and 5,000 RPM. Tons of fun!

But... earplugs.

I prefer to wear foam earplugs when I drive it more than 10-15 minutes. I actually prefer the sound of the engine this way; I can really feel the low frequencies of the engine. Also, the 914 doesn't really create a lot of noticeable wind noise for me with the top down, even at 50mph+. But I said "noticeable." If I drive for longer than 10-15 minutes without earplugs, I can definitely feel that post-concert dullness in my ears. A simple pair of foam plugs that cut 32dB work perfectly: the same ones I use for operating power tools or going to rock concerts. I keep a little jar of them in the garage.

Anybody else use earplugs?

I've been wearing ear protection for noisy things since my college days of playing in rock bands, and then later in party and rock bands. While playing amplified music, I actually hear better with ear protection. Kind of funny: the sensation of feeling the engine behind me in the 914 is not unlike the feeling of my bass rig behind me on stage. The earplugs really make it more enjoyable... and that's to say nothing of the post-drive feeling of normal hearing when you put the car back in the garage.

Just thought I'd share. I hope you had a great drive in your 914 today!

Steve
1972 914-4

P.S. Here's a fun AI cartoon of my car.

[SirAndy]

Anybody else use earplugs?

My 914 is way too loud to *not* use ear plugs.

I can't have a conversation with my passenger or listen to music or (gasp) talk on the phone. And my ears start ringing after anything longer than 15 minutes or so, even just cruising on the freeway, let alone being on the gas on some twisty back road.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Stev914]

Anybody else use earplugs?

My 914 is way too loud to *not* use ear plugs.

Glad it’s not just me. I fixed the original radio, but I can’t really hear it and don’t want to anyway. Driving this car—for me—is more like going for a motorcycle ride. I want to focus on the driving. Fun!

Steve