Well I was driving down the street earlier today and then all of the sudden it happened. My ES300 suddenly sounded like it had a V12 in it. I was a little concerned, so I drove to my destination, and when I got back into the car to go home, it sounded even louder.

The engine seems to be running fine so I think it's the exhaust system. It's so incredibly loud I can't get past 3rd gear without the car almost shaking itself apart.

I'm having it towed to the shop tommorow, but I was just curious, has this ever happened to anyone before? (pretty sure it's not a hole in the mufler, cause I've heard that before and this is MUCH louder)

 

Epilogue,

The problem : Front exhaust pipe was broken

Parts and Labor : around $500

I'm getting it back tommorow.

 

I had the same problem with my y pipe coming into the cat -- i guess it got scraped a lot over speed bumps after i got my springs on.