Reply With QuoteYou can get a TVR Chimaera for well within your budget. One of the best sounding cars I have owned and TVRs seem to be going one way in value so hopefully a little appreciation will offset any potential running costs.
The other day, my friend compounded my thoughts that the noise of a car is most of the excitement for me, when he took me out in his Ferrari. So I started to wonder if there are cars, newer or older for say up to £20k that can provide a great, exciting soundtrack for say up to £20k or so?
Of course, the way it drives is important but around Manchester, it's not easy to find a clear country road any more, so the car doesn't need to be crazy fast. In fact some of the most fun I've had in car's over the years have been with smaller engined cars such as MINIs etc. Less likely to get you in trouble but still exciting.
I had a Boxster a while back which was lovely but the noises only really came out properly in third gear at silly speeds. My MG ZS180 from years ago was fitted with an induction kit though and had a proper, throaty V6 sound I've never forgotten. Of course I don't really think I fancy another one of those now though :-D
Any recommendations?
Last edited by W44NNE; 9th July 2017 at 08:33.
You can get a TVR Chimaera for well within your budget. One of the best sounding cars I have owned and TVRs seem to be going one way in value so hopefully a little appreciation will offset any potential running costs.
Flat 6 Porsche of any description but get a PSE or aftermarket exhaust. Affordable and if you get the right one an appreciating asset.
I bought a cheap 997 and haven't regretted it though it needs a noisier exhaust at some point.
I'll second a flat 6 with PSE. Round town let it cruise in second and the noises are amazing, especially if you disconnect the PSE in the engine bay. The bypass valves remain fully open all the time then and the rich sound is exactly as it should be. GT3 straight pipes are always an option but I fear they would be too loud!!
Mercedes CLK 55 AMG. A mk I would be well under 20k and a mk II would be doable with a bit of patience. Sounds awesome and a practical everyday car.
Edit: on the subject of 911s, Porsche owners of my acquiantance have had SCART exhausts fitted, which can be specified with a valve, so you can switch the raunchy sound on or off.
Last edited by SimonK; 9th July 2017 at 08:59.
Audi RS3 (pre face lift 8v) with the Dynamic pack fitted, 5 cylinder howl, chavtastic 😀
Update: Sorry just re-read the OP's opening post and he said 20k or less, the 8v RS3 is still mid 30s plus.
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Last edited by Arcam; 9th July 2017 at 09:22. Reason: Added info
Can't go wrong with any of the older model Audi RSs.
These are always in demand and have a huge following. So if can get a good one and look after it you sure won't lose too much depreciation wise.
BMW E63 M6. The S85 V10 will wipe the floor with anything else at this price point.
I've got one with an Eisenmann exhaust and the noise is phenomenal.
At a traffic light: new Spider 124 (Yes it is a ... under the plastics) but it had a great sound!
E46 M3 with a CSL carbon airbox. Epic growl when on it but won't annoy you or the neighbours when pottering around.
Surely any TVR or what about a triumph stag - realistically anything with a v8 and a.nice exhaust will give a good note?
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Mini Cooper S with Works 210 upgrade. Comes fitted with sports exhaust that is a little bit fruity. I believe you have to sign a disclaimer that you won't use it on public roads as it's not highway legal. 😀
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Audi rs4 , had a lot of em and love em although now dithering over an r8 or a 996 turbo which changes by the hour
V8 Mercs have a decent burble.
E39 with an aftermarket exhaust.
Subaru Impreza (although a little OTT)
Alfa V6
If you're after Ferrari sounds, a Maserati isn't 100 miles off.
If it were me, I'd have an old shape CL55 AMG with an updated exhaust. They sound like God having a Sunday morning fart.
There are lots of loud exhausts for the MX-5 although if you're just driving round slowly it's a big waste of such a fine handling car. Maybe an Impress with a big flowerpot on the back?
"A man of little significance"
Maybe just buy one of these?
https://www.sound-booster.com/
"A man of little significance"
Has to be one of these for the noise, just hope you don't break itOriginally Posted by benny.c
For best sound per pound, you can't do better than something old and American.
You could get a pick up with a small block Chevy for £5k that would sound better than anything mentioned so far.
Getting on a bit, but a Mitsubishi FTO GPX with the MiVEC system to open up the last 8 valves makes a lovely scream, add new air filters and exhausts for additional neighbour annoyance. Cheap as chips.
Another lover of the sound of a Staag but it comes with the "joys" of owning a 40 year old car.
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Haha some awesome recommendations. Not sure I'll be driving THAT slow though Foxy; I hate anything like that :-D
Engine sounds pants, turbo whine is very loud on wifeys latest Golf R.
But.... the latest 7.5 incarnation has had some serious tweaks on the exhaust over the last model which made a nice noise anyway. This one just sings in Race and DSG in sport, popping and banging sounds lovely without being OTT.
Just to add to my previous comments about the E63 M6:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCR8hJHUhII
TVR V8, or a Maserati Coupe.
I think in the £20k price point I agree. An S6 or S8 also sounds good.
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Having owned examples of both, and currently have the Maserati, I concur.
The Maserati has essentially the same engine as the Ferrari 430.
So clever my foot fell off.
I had a Griff and now have a Spyder - I tell myself it's the grown up version of the Griff :). The only 2 cars I've had that I'd leave in a lower gear just to hear the engine.
How about a V6 TT?
Well under budget for a MK2
Tbf most large capacity engines sound good with the right exhaust. Very few four pots sound nice, certainly not in standard form anyway.
Really? A neighbour has one, the abarth branded one (black bonnet, white body work). Dreadful sounding thing. They've confused volume with being tuneful.
M6 is a good shout. Shame they sound like angry diesels at low revs.
Capri 2.8i and some cardboard boxes?
And have looks only a mother could love.
Oh sorry no
That's for girls
TVR - but you will need more that a Warranty card
some of the Honda R Type's have an interesting sound
The tt is a bit mx5 too .... I had one as a runabout and loved it but felt a right knob driving it , got binned off for an evo 6 Tommi makinen which was at the other end of the scale ... Felt like a drug dealer in that and the racket was annoying on the motorway . Handled like a dream though
actually BBR used to do an official MX5 Turbo conversion....no idea if they still do.... but that was a proper rocket
If you mean the mk1 shape BBR turbo, they weren't all that quick. It wasn't a very well engineered solution and was limited to 150hp by the fuelling and ignition limitations. The really quick turbo MX5s used Flyin Miata kits. Those had 240-250hp on a std 1.8 engine.
No.1 son has a Clio V6 complete with hand made race exhaust, sounds incredible. He says he gets more attention in that than in his 911.
Time will tell whether the E63 settles into its looks or stands out like a sore thumb. Having owned an E24 635CSI I see some pleasing symmetries in the design cues Chris Bangle took for the 'new' 6 series when it was launched that are perhaps less apparent when sniping from the sidelines.
What is in no doubt is that at this price point, the M6 is the most exotic machine out there. Close to 200mph if de-limited, hand-built V10 that was only ever used in one other production car (M5) and round town is as docile as you could wish. Perhaps the weakest part is the SMG gearbox, but if you drive one you quickly get used to it.
I did briefly consider a 996 before I got the M6 as they're similarly priced, but these come with their own issues as well that are well documented (IMS) and are slow in comparison to the BMW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR5-cewsnRA
You know the answer to that question Wayne!
I've had one of those too - brilliant car. Nice engine note, but not like a TVR etc.
So clever my foot fell off.
Try this:
So clever my foot fell off.
A Jaguar XK with the spire exhaust system
It's on you tube I think...
Real NASCAR type sound
Found it!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E396uHl_UcA
Last edited by GOAT; 9th July 2017 at 17:15.
save 10K and get a well kept Busso engined GTV or GT. Plenty of automotive journalists have described it as the best sounding V6 ever made.
Utterly impractical but a Caterham 7 sounds great and is lots of fun.....
Get a used one and they can hold their value really well.
There anit a lot better the Vauxhall V8 Monrao my mates sounds like thunder
Get the standard, nice and quiet until you give it full throttle....
I've still got a soft spot for the 2JZhttps://youtu.be/D0YPKu4Fhns
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Jag XKR. I'm going to go for one next year when the new business is well underway.
£20k will get you a beaut, pay £17.5k and then get a voluminous exhaust system.
Rather partial to a VXR8 with a Wortec exhaust myself.
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