Cars We Drive!

[Tim Apple]

What I think of when cars add fake engine sounds

That is such an epically funny video! It truly addresses what I hate most about EV's, the total lack of sound. I have zero interest in any high performance EV as no matter how fast it is, the lack of sound or the bizarre nature of the sound just kills the experience for me. I'm old enough where I'll never have to worry about driving an EV sports car. I'll keep buying cars that rev 8,000 rpms or higher.

 

[greekgeek]

That is such an epically funny video! It truly addresses what I hate most about EV's, the total lack of sound. I have zero interest in any high performance EV as no matter how fast it is, the lack of sound or the bizarre nature of the sound just kills the experience for me. I'm old enough where I'll never have to worry about driving an EV sports car. I'll keep buying cars that rev 8,000 rpms or higher.

Boomers definitely deserve a safe space from the EV's, they earned it.

 

[jbarwick]

That is such an epically funny video! It truly addresses what I hate most about EV's, the total lack of sound. I have zero interest in any high performance EV as no matter how fast it is, the lack of sound or the bizarre nature of the sound just kills the experience for me. I'm old enough where I'll never have to worry about driving an EV sports car. I'll keep buying cars that rev 8,000 rpms or higher.

Oof....mine redlines at 7400

 

[Tim Apple]

Boomers definitely deserve a safe space from the EV's, they earned it.

I'm not a boomer, not even close. Gen X all the way.

 

[greekgeek]

I'm not a boomer, not even close. Gen X all the way.

Gen X getting skipped over yet again.

Seriously though, the most annoying (yet necessary) part about silent EV's is the low speed and reverse noises.

Speaking of high rpm engines, was perusing the S2000s on offer recently. Might take a closer look in the spring.

 

[Texasmade]

I'm not a boomer, not even close. Gen X all the way.

Okay boomer.

 

[sugarbutch]

I wonder about the same thing. My wife drives just a couple of miles to work and most of her driving is short trips, which is the worst thing for an ICE.

The Volvo is a mild hybrid which also gets me a bit hibbeldy after reading about Audi's 48V hybrid issues in recent years which when coupled with supply chain issues caused owners to wait weeks/months for their vehicles.

You're forgetting to subtract the VAG tax from your equation.

 

[Piobaire]

I wonder if people ever triggered that sailboats don't make engine noises so swear they'll only ever have powerboats?

 

[brokencycle]

I wonder if people ever triggered that sailboats don't make engine noises so swear they'll only ever have powerboats?

I can't say for certain, but people often complain about how motorboats don't have the same driver feel.

 

[Tim Apple]

I wonder if people ever triggered that sailboats don't make engine noises so swear they'll only ever have powerboats?

Yep, happens all the time. I work with two people who have several boats (probably the only hobby worse than cars cash flow wise). They swear that sailboats are awful due to the lack of noise. Some people are very attached to visceral feelings. Nothing new here.

 

[Tim Apple]

Gen X getting skipped over yet again.

Seriously though, the most annoying (yet necessary) part about silent EV's is the low speed and reverse noises.

Speaking of high rpm engines, was perusing the S2000s on offer recently. Might take a closer look in the spring.

The S2000 has a great engine, especially the first version of the car (AP1). If there's one thing Honda did right back in those days was make sweet, high revving engines.

 

[otc]

I wonder about the same thing. My wife drives just a couple of miles to work and most of her driving is short trips, which is the worst thing for an ICE.

Both our cars also have an actual oil temp readout (as I'm sure you remember from the GTI), not just the "fake" engine temp gauged that always points at 200F once warmed up, regardless of actual temperature.

So it is extra obvious when you're not heating everything up. I'm sure the oil itself is perfectly OK with some short trips as long as you occasionally get it hot enough to boil out moisture...but that does mean you're getting less lubrication/detergent action on the moving parts.

Engine is probably running a rich warm-up map most of the time so you are just gunking up your plugs and valves, and going on a single longer drive over the weekend probably isn't going to solve that.

 

[Tim Apple]

Both our cars also have an actual oil temp readout (as I'm sure you remember from the GTI), not just the "fake" engine temp gauged that always points at 200F once warmed up, regardless of actual temperature.

So it is extra obvious when you're not heating everything up. I'm sure the oil itself is perfectly OK with some short trips as long as you occasionally get it hot enough to boil out moisture...but that does mean you're getting less lubrication/detergent action on the moving parts.

Engine is probably running a rich warm-up map most of the time so you are just gunking up your plugs and valves, and going on a single longer drive over the weekend probably isn't going to solve that.

This is what Italian tune ups are for!

 

[brokencycle]

Both our cars also have an actual oil temp readout (as I'm sure you remember from the GTI), not just the "fake" engine temp gauged that always points at 200F once warmed up, regardless of actual temperature.

So it is extra obvious when you're not heating everything up. I'm sure the oil itself is perfectly OK with some short trips as long as you occasionally get it hot enough to boil out moisture...but that does mean you're getting less lubrication/detergent action on the moving parts.

Engine is probably running a rich warm-up map most of the time so you are just gunking up your plugs and valves, and going on a single longer drive over the weekend probably isn't going to solve that.

Probably just need to send the oil out for analysis.

 

[Piobaire]

Yep, happens all the time. I work with two people who have several boats (probably the only hobby worse than cars cash flow wise). They swear that sailboats are awful due to the lack of noise. Some people are very attached to visceral feelings. Nothing new here.

See, movement without noise is what I've found fascinating about sailboats since the 80s.