[lizknope]

Lots of cars have buttons to set the exhaust modes and adjust baffles and stuff in the engine / exhaust system to make louder pops and crackles.

Some people think it sounds cool.

Some people think it sounds extremely annoying.

Either way it is possible for a lot of these cars to sound quiet during an inspection.

[brnt]

Here that is quite illegal, and would be required to be removed at the yearly inspection, or the vehicle will be suspended.

[bradlys]

These come stock on many performance cars. e.g. Porsche, BMW M, Mercedes AMG, Ford Mustang GT350, etc. all have these.

[bjoli]

Not if they are driven on european roads. Any car made after 2018 (??) can't have them. I know mercedes AMG plays an modified/amplified sound inside the car, but the new regulations in the EU forbids any new car from having this.

There has been talk about a labelling similar to environmental zones (which means older, dirty exhaust cars can't drive in cities) as well, meaning loud cars would not be allowed in cities.

Edit: oh, and everything louder than 72db, 0.5m from the exhaust at a 45degree offset, is already forbidden for cars iirc.

[jjeaff]

Pipes can give a car a cool sound. But most people like music too. But they sure don't like it blasted at all hours of the day and night at random intervals.