Best Sounding cars inside not out
Discussion
Further to the sound cameras thread I was trying to think of cars that sound really good inside not how they sound outside. As cars, even the very best cars get more ordinary sounding from inside the cabin. I was trying to think of cars that have impressed me most from inside the car with the windows closed.
About half on my list have been sightly non-standard but the engines underneath still play a big part.
1. TVR Griffith 4.0 (OK it had an exhaust, who's doesn't). Just perfection, the way the note evolves through the revs and spits and pops as you lift. Pure joy.
2. Porsche 996 C2 3.4 (with exhaust and resonator delete). There's so much to this sound, it's a mechanical symphony that builds and just gets better all the way to the redline.
3. Lotus Evora 400 (standard) - That combination of sharp spitting anger with the satisfaction of supercharger overlay and then organic not artificial feeling pops and bangs on overrun.
4. Aston Martin V8 Vantage 4.7 (standard) - Can't beat Jeremy Clarkson's description of someone throwing hammers but it's very satisfying.
5. Audi S2 Quattro (had a sports exhaust) - the road car not the rally legend. Sounds like it's doing 8000rpm when you're passing 3000rpm and just goes on and on with all the necessary turbo sounds to add to the joy.
Also included for amusement (and my horror) the worst ever:
Ferrari F430 - stunning V8 note from a mile away, but in the cabin sounds like two mice having a fight in an empty bean can.
About half on my list have been sightly non-standard but the engines underneath still play a big part.
1. TVR Griffith 4.0 (OK it had an exhaust, who's doesn't). Just perfection, the way the note evolves through the revs and spits and pops as you lift. Pure joy.
2. Porsche 996 C2 3.4 (with exhaust and resonator delete). There's so much to this sound, it's a mechanical symphony that builds and just gets better all the way to the redline.
3. Lotus Evora 400 (standard) - That combination of sharp spitting anger with the satisfaction of supercharger overlay and then organic not artificial feeling pops and bangs on overrun.
4. Aston Martin V8 Vantage 4.7 (standard) - Can't beat Jeremy Clarkson's description of someone throwing hammers but it's very satisfying.
5. Audi S2 Quattro (had a sports exhaust) - the road car not the rally legend. Sounds like it's doing 8000rpm when you're passing 3000rpm and just goes on and on with all the necessary turbo sounds to add to the joy.
Also included for amusement (and my horror) the worst ever:
Ferrari F430 - stunning V8 note from a mile away, but in the cabin sounds like two mice having a fight in an empty bean can.
georgeyboy12345 said:
That’s funny because I thought the Ferrari F430 had one of the best engine sounds of any car that I have ever driven from the inside!
I'm trying but I just can't align that with my memory. Maybe they need an exhaust? This one was very new. Not long after the car came out so maybe standard isn't great but all I remember was a tinny rattling soundP.s. was trying to focus on the joy rather than another PH flaming thread. Perhaps shouldn't have added a disappointment example.
I'd have to say one of the best for me was my old K20-swapped EG Civic. When driving you had pure induction noise coming through to the cabin and it was glorious from 4k rpm-8.5k+ rpm. Granted from outside it sounded like any other high-revving 4pot, but the induction noise as it went through the VTEC crossover and screamed to the limiter was ace 
Chunkychucky said:
I'd have to say one of the best for me was my old K20-swapped EG Civic. When driving you had pure induction noise coming through to the cabin and it was glorious from 4k rpm-8.5k+ rpm. Granted from outside it sounded like any other high-revving 4pot, but the induction noise as it went through the VTEC crossover and screamed to the limiter was ace
Absolutely with you there. Always love the best motoring in car clips of some suped up V-tec being driven with fancy footwork to extract every last inch, chasing down much higher hp cars.For me inside I loved my old TVR T350. It had a sports box and was de-catted (131db) but sounded amazing at full chat.
Outside though it was just too loud - I felt awkward rumbling down the high street and there was no way of shutting it off. Much preferred the V8 on my first Chimaera
My current AMG GTC is amazing inside - a lovely purposeful raw when the valves open but without being too ASBO
Worst - any 4 pot TBH, not a fan of Focus ST etc inside or out.
Outside though it was just too loud - I felt awkward rumbling down the high street and there was no way of shutting it off. Much preferred the V8 on my first Chimaera
My current AMG GTC is amazing inside - a lovely purposeful raw when the valves open but without being too ASBO
Worst - any 4 pot TBH, not a fan of Focus ST etc inside or out.
The E92 M3 springs first to my mind. The induction noise is absolutely heavenly on the inside, but the noise from the outside(as standard anyway) isn't all that special in comparison for me.
I can say exactly the same about the E46 M3/Z4M as well. A great induction noise...that isn't matched with the exhaust noise to my ears though.
I can say exactly the same about the E46 M3/Z4M as well. A great induction noise...that isn't matched with the exhaust noise to my ears though.
Niffty951 said:
Chunkychucky said:
I'd have to say one of the best for me was my old K20-swapped EG Civic. When driving you had pure induction noise coming through to the cabin and it was glorious from 4k rpm-8.5k+ rpm. Granted from outside it sounded like any other high-revving 4pot, but the induction noise as it went through the VTEC crossover and screamed to the limiter was ace
Absolutely with you there. Always love the best motoring in car clips of some suped up V-tec being driven with fancy footwork to extract every last inch, chasing down much higher hp cars.Chunkychucky said:
I'd have to say one of the best for me was my old K20-swapped EG Civic. When driving you had pure induction noise coming through to the cabin and it was glorious from 4k rpm-8.5k+ rpm. Granted from outside it sounded like any other high-revving 4pot, but the induction noise as it went through the VTEC crossover and screamed to the limiter was ace
I don't know what is special about the exhaust system in the S2000, but they make a lovely warble as they pass at full chat (I realise they have an F20 engine but presumably it's similar enough to sound the same with the same exhaust). Maybe a resonator or similar?bennno said:
The current coyote engined Mustang makes a nice noise.
An original 986 2.5 Boxster ditto.
I’d add any 6-pot Boxster. My 987.1 sounds gloriously mechanical inside, especially once the rev hand goes past the 12 o’clock position. The transmission whine also helps at lower speeds. An original 986 2.5 Boxster ditto.
Best from the inside has to have been my RX7FD. Turbo intake sounds whilst on boost, churping turbo compressor on upshifts with the blow off valves hissing away and unburnt petrol igniting in the exhaust plus it's screaming away at 8k rpm.
From the outside it sounded like a pissed off wasp.
From the outside it sounded like a pissed off wasp.
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