My son is also a "melmo" fan and likes this driving toy. We started keeping it in the car and yes it's loud but I'd rather hear it than him crying. He has a hard time turning the wheel though and that's what makes Elmo talk. I see him holding the toy with his legs to turn the wheel. The other sounds are really easy to make and he presses the oscar and cookie monster and bert buttons continuously. We have used it quite a bit since Christmas and the batteries are going strong.