You heard the MagnaFlow and Borla both in person? I know you drove the 500 with the Borla setup installed but if you heard both in person I'd like to know which is the deeper tone exhaust with the lesser raspy sound.
Yes, heard them both in person, but only the Borla at speed. The Borla has a very Euro (not rice burner) sound that I would not call raspy, more high revvy race car sound, but still with a bass component, too, that does get in the cabin with windows up and under throttle. Windows down, it sings a very rich sound. Inside, outside, it is appealing to me. The Magnaflow sounded more like an American car, with only deeper notes. I found it to be better than stock but unremarkable.
Today I had 500 Madness install the Borla on my car and I am utterly thrilled. Boris had much the same opinion about the sounds and appropriateness of the Borla sound. While there, I also got the Competitzione drop-in filter. Together the two improved the engine pull, especially at higher revs, a very nice performance upgrade. One can really feel the pull now. The few hp really makes a difference.
Also while there, they installed their own red 1.2 inch drop progressive springs, and I couldn't be happier. It looks great and feels like a slot car now. The spring debate we can save for another thread, but these are "just right" in my opinion.
I am stunned by how my car now looks, sounds, accelerates, and turns. It is not a subtle difference.