Are noisy ICE cars becoming embarrassing?
Discussion
T-195 said:
Threads like these attract the Tim nice but Dim EV Fanboys of PISTON HEADS.
Clue is in the name of the website, guys.
So pistonheads is essentially an ICE site? Food for thought. It could be fairly argued I'm not a 'car' fan at all, since I actively dislike older cars. Clue is in the name of the website, guys.
The less vibration, be it physical or audio, the better the experience. Suspension dampens vibrations, but traction is improved, and I feel more in tune with the road.
To be clear I'm talking about purely recreational driving.
A performance engine sound is just a different shade of noise. I paid many thousands of pounds extra for my house so I never have to hear it.
I have done a bit of racing driving but as mentioned I load up on NC.
I'll get my coat then.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 16th April 16:16
I kinda expected my shonky, old Camaro to be met with universal opprobrium, but I've actually been pleasantly surprised by how other people react to it. Most times I drive it, someone waves or smiles or gives me a thumbs-up.
As for the next generation, I was showing it to a mate of mine who hasn't seen it before. I fired it up and asked his ten-year old son if he'd like to sit in the driver's seat and rev the engine. He didn't have to be asked twice! Kids will still like cars, and making noise will always be fun.
I think the OP needs to lighten up a bit. Live and let live. I own my cars for myself, and I don't care what other people think. That's not the same as being inconsiderate, although I'd probably consider welding an extra resonator into my Chevy's exhaust if I didn't live in the middle of nowhere.
As for EV's, I've yet to try one. But I can see how enjoying an EV could be 'anti-social' too - the only way to have fun in one seems to be to use the prodigious acceleration, which is potentially dangerous. My Chevy or my MX-5 can be enjoyed heartily well within the speed limits and at levels of acceleration you wouldn't even notice in a Tesla.
As for the next generation, I was showing it to a mate of mine who hasn't seen it before. I fired it up and asked his ten-year old son if he'd like to sit in the driver's seat and rev the engine. He didn't have to be asked twice! Kids will still like cars, and making noise will always be fun.
I think the OP needs to lighten up a bit. Live and let live. I own my cars for myself, and I don't care what other people think. That's not the same as being inconsiderate, although I'd probably consider welding an extra resonator into my Chevy's exhaust if I didn't live in the middle of nowhere.
As for EV's, I've yet to try one. But I can see how enjoying an EV could be 'anti-social' too - the only way to have fun in one seems to be to use the prodigious acceleration, which is potentially dangerous. My Chevy or my MX-5 can be enjoyed heartily well within the speed limits and at levels of acceleration you wouldn't even notice in a Tesla.
HM-2 said:
Is it something ICE vehicle specific, or do you have more general issues with noise?
If it's the latter, you might suffer from Hyperacusis.
Yes the latter, so probably some truth in that. Too many years spent standing next to a drum kit I think. If it's the latter, you might suffer from Hyperacusis.
Kids, wear ear plugs! You hear the music better, and your older self will thank you.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 16th April 15:38
Matthew Poxon said:
An interesting topic and very similar to the conversation I was having with one of my friends not so long ago.
We were discussing the embarrassment of getting a TVR started and off the driveway for an early morning meet. It can be an issue with the neighbours now but I suspect this will become more of an issue if EV becomes mainstream. As time goes on combustion engines have become much quieter I remember one of my neighbours had a Mk3 Transit Van with a horrendously loud diesel engine, probably not much quieter than the TVR. Most cars now are very quiet which once people acclimatise to the reduced noise it results in performance cars looking more anti social.
I worry that people will look at loud ICE cars in the future in the same way people look at smokers now.
Interesting comparing car noise with smoking, but it makes sense in a way. What was once mainstream began to be increasingly frowned upon by society on health and environment grounds, before being banned in many places. Smokers have become social pariahs in some regards, and I can see ICE cars going a similar way We were discussing the embarrassment of getting a TVR started and off the driveway for an early morning meet. It can be an issue with the neighbours now but I suspect this will become more of an issue if EV becomes mainstream. As time goes on combustion engines have become much quieter I remember one of my neighbours had a Mk3 Transit Van with a horrendously loud diesel engine, probably not much quieter than the TVR. Most cars now are very quiet which once people acclimatise to the reduced noise it results in performance cars looking more anti social.
I worry that people will look at loud ICE cars in the future in the same way people look at smokers now.
Good point about acclimatisation; as EVs become more common, a loud car (irrespective of cylinder count) will stick out more and piss of normies (ie. the majority of people who aren't petrolheads) more and more.
Shame, as I did like the sound of my modified V8 and 5 pot cars in the past. Still do, just the socially responsible part of me finds it harder to enjoy the noise now than before.
sambucket said:
Yes the latter, so probably some truth in that. Too many years spent standing next to a drum kit I think.
Kids, wear ear plugs! You hear the music better, and your older self will thank you.
Genuine question, during sex do you tell the other half to keep the noise down if they're vocally expressing their pleasure?Kids, wear ear plugs! You hear the music better, and your older self will thank you.
Edited by sambucket on Tuesday 16th April 15:38
Speed addicted said:
A Tesla whatever can do 0-60 really quickly, but does it silently. No interest. The need to race one is unlikely to come up at any point.
I'd rather have a slower, louder, cruder Mustang that'll shout it's way to 60 and make me chuckle when I fire it up in underground car parks.
Sometimes less capable is a lot more fun.
exactly this ^^^ I'd rather have a slower, louder, cruder Mustang that'll shout it's way to 60 and make me chuckle when I fire it up in underground car parks.
Sometimes less capable is a lot more fun.
I was looking for an exhaust cut-out for my Camaro so I could have it loud when I want and quiet when I want. Having spoken to a few people though it would appear that these don't work properly - or at least don't work properly for long
Oh well loud pipes with a restrained right foot it is then 
As an aside - if I were able to afford an i-Pace for Mrs Iroc I'd be all over that, she just doesn't 'get' loud pipes
grumbledoak said:
They already are. Anything with less than eight cylinders sounds dull, moving to tragic when made intentionally louder. I really don't see why anything built and sold for use on the road isn't damn near silent. And big single cylinder trail bikes should be crushed with the pillock still sat on it.
You would love my XT660x with dual GPR exhausts for extra noise 
Kewy said:
Genuine question, during sex do you tell the other half to keep the noise down if they're vocally expressing their pleasure?
Sexual sensory deprivation, oh baby. Now we are talking. NC ear buds with a blindfold. Don't knock it! Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 16th April 17:04
baconsarney said:
sambucket said:
Kewy said:
Genuine question, during sex do you tell the other half to keep the noise down if they're vocally expressing their pleasure?
Sexual sensory deprivation, oh baby. Now we are talking. NC ear buds with a blindhold. Don't knock it!
F1GTRUeno said:
Anything too loud has always been embarrassing.
Where you can hear it from miles away, you just know a bellend is gonna be driving it.
I used to cycle to work through Regents Park and I used to come across a Carlos Fantango-type in his Maserati coupe with the exhaust valve stuck in the open position.Where you can hear it from miles away, you just know a bellend is gonna be driving it.
I could clearly hear him as he entered the park from half a mile away. It just sounded really t
ttish.I much prefer the subtle bark that an E63 or a 997 gives when the driver prods the throttle.
sambucket said:
Yes the latter, so probably some truth in that. Too many years spent standing next to a drum kit I think.
Kids, wear ear plugs! You hear the music better, and your older self will thank you.
My 10 year old nephew drums. Demands from my sister and his drum tutor to practice with earplugs fall on metaphorically deaf ears.Kids, wear ear plugs! You hear the music better, and your older self will thank you.
A couple of motorcycle-related noises - both from triples.
When in my teens, a nearby pub was visited most nights by a gentleman by the name of 'Big Sim' who rode a Kawasaki KH500 with expansion pipes on it. That two-stroke triple popped and farted on tickover when he started it, then we'd all listen out for the exit. Out of the carpark, up the road, get to the tee junction, cross when safe, then open her up. By Christ that thing sounded like the world was ending. I loved it and would hang out of the bedroom window listening to the bike making its way home. That thing hitting the powerband with the expansion pipes was just amazing.
Some decades later, I had a Triumph 900 Trophy - see pic. Even on the standard pipes, this four-stroke triple sounded incredible when accelerating through the revs. Above about 6000 rpm up to the red line, there's something intoxicating about a triple cylinder engine revving it's heart out. Always my favourite engine on a bike.
When in my teens, a nearby pub was visited most nights by a gentleman by the name of 'Big Sim' who rode a Kawasaki KH500 with expansion pipes on it. That two-stroke triple popped and farted on tickover when he started it, then we'd all listen out for the exit. Out of the carpark, up the road, get to the tee junction, cross when safe, then open her up. By Christ that thing sounded like the world was ending. I loved it and would hang out of the bedroom window listening to the bike making its way home. That thing hitting the powerband with the expansion pipes was just amazing.
Some decades later, I had a Triumph 900 Trophy - see pic. Even on the standard pipes, this four-stroke triple sounded incredible when accelerating through the revs. Above about 6000 rpm up to the red line, there's something intoxicating about a triple cylinder engine revving it's heart out. Always my favourite engine on a bike.
I think most on here would agree that the looming retirement of the ICE from mainstream private transport will be a moment of great sadness for those who have enjoyed cars and driving for many years. However all is not lost. The enthusiasts will maintain and keep their pride and joys running and sounding as they should, perhaps there will even be upsides to the inevitable minority status fossil fuel burning vehicles are destined for.
With regard to noise, as already said the manufacturers of EVs may well be missing a trick.
I wonder how long it is before either downloadable sound content for your cars propulsion becomes a thing!
Personally the noise of a combustion engine is a massive part of the driving experience, and I would certainly miss it. But I wouldn't want to drive an EV that made fake ICE noises, unless perhaps they were those of a child vroom vrooming around town...
Every car has its place, and the lucky amongst have can choose what noise we want to make as we travel.
And whilst I too smile and shake my head at the "youff" in a typically underpowered family hatchback that has had the misfortune to be "tuned" by its adolescent owner. I would rather think of these individuals as misguided and uneducated, but embryonic car enthusiasts all the same. Some of us may even look back and recognise someone from our own past...
With regard to noise, as already said the manufacturers of EVs may well be missing a trick.
I wonder how long it is before either downloadable sound content for your cars propulsion becomes a thing!
Personally the noise of a combustion engine is a massive part of the driving experience, and I would certainly miss it. But I wouldn't want to drive an EV that made fake ICE noises, unless perhaps they were those of a child vroom vrooming around town...
Every car has its place, and the lucky amongst have can choose what noise we want to make as we travel.
And whilst I too smile and shake my head at the "youff" in a typically underpowered family hatchback that has had the misfortune to be "tuned" by its adolescent owner. I would rather think of these individuals as misguided and uneducated, but embryonic car enthusiasts all the same. Some of us may even look back and recognise someone from our own past...
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