Here's a testament to bypass pipes NOT sounding obnoxious- When I bought my 04 CTT, I had no idea they already were installed by the previous owner. The car had a nice throaty sound but not loud at all, so to me it seemed like a normal exhaust sound.

Imagine my surprise the other day when looking under my CTT (was planning on adding the bypass pipes and wanted to see how tought it would be) - Lo-and-behold, bypass already installed! Also discovered BMC air filters had been installed. Again, no obnoxious noise, car just sounds perfect all around.

Definitely "wife friendly" mods.