Mine does all the time. And I whirr back ^_^
Me and Clover have had many a conversation together, meowing and purrting and whirring, as you call it. All I have to do is go "Clover, Prreow!" and she do a "Ffiirrt!" sort of sound and come trotting over.
Of course she never wants me to know that she's coming to me, so she'll take several detours around chairs and couches, but she IS coming to me, which makes me feel very much loved ^_^