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Comment by bbarn | Hacker News Reader

I never understood the desire to be loud. My EV is probably faster than most of the cars on the road screaming at the top of their lungs and showing off their engines and it's whisper quiet. I like it that way.

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Prior to the current generation of very fast EVs, having a louder vehicle was a way to indicate more power. A more powerful (internal combustion) engine implies more noise. Of course the reverse doesn't apply, more noise doesn't strictly imply more power - it can just be an exhaust with lousy noise suppression. ALSO you might eke a little more power from an engine with less back pressure from the exhaust, so there is some real effect available.

So if you've got some modified monster with an insane engine, it's going to be loud. And if you're a wannabe with a superficially-modified, underpowered car, you can add more noise easier than you can add more power, and hope to fool people. It's not very laudable, but you can see how it could motivate the ego of the inconsiderate.

Sure, and I get that I suppose. Driving fast ICE cars is a fun but different experience. What kills me are Honda civics with "performance" mufflers that muffle.. less.

I don't think it is about the speed. My combine tops out at 18MPH, but there is something about the sound its engine makes when it is revved up – and when you throw the hydro level forward, oh boy.

I also enjoy concerts, though. Understandably music isn't for everyone.

I am the guy who wears Bose noise cancelling headphones at work or on the plane with nothing playing :)

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