Without the added weight of a hard top, the convertible's trunk doesn't get loaded down and, overall, a hard top can weigh 100 pounds or more compared to a similar soft top. Up/Down Speed
No I didnt expect it to be quiet like the hard top (my wife has a full soft top for her JL so im familiar with soft top noise). Mine made alot of popping, almost buffeting type drum noise. Wind noise however is comparable or less than a full soft top, but the popping was a bit of an annoyance.
2) Road noise is not significantly different than hard top. Soft Top Cons: 1) Definitely hotter than the hard top in the summer if fully buttoned up. 2) Folding the top actually takes slightly longer than removing the entire hard top as well as reinstalling it, mainly due to the windows.
If you like to put the top down on those nice days then a soft top may be a better choice. If you want both get a hard top to start with. here is why. from dealership. $2500 for hard top. $180 for wiring kit (wiper and defrost) $565 for soft top. Its cheaper buying a soft top later than getting a hard top later