This might sound funny, but the appeal of an aftermarket pipe for me is purely aesthetic. I just don't really like the stock pipe. It's just that it was never really worth it to me to change it. Until now, since it's broke.
I fully agree that most of the aftermarket pipes I see out there sound a bit obnoxious - I would actually consider it a bonus if my new pipe/muffler was quieter, although I had no complaints with the volume of the stock pipe.
Any ideas? I just don't know where to look...