How often do you use your horn?

[scottmandue]

I have to admit when I drove my low profile Miata on the Lost Angeles freeway a few times I almost got squished by the obligatory super sized SUV and the diminutive meep of the stock horn was barely audible so I put a real manly horn on there to get the attention of the average comatose commuter.
however even at that I found myself using the horn maybe a few times a year.

I sold the Miata, bought the wife a Mazda5 and took over the appliance Hyundai Elantra for commuting duties.

My wife insists the horn on the Mazda is inadequate and wants me to upgrade.

No big deal right? Well... the horn on the Mazda5 is up under the wheel well and you have to remove the whole front clip (integrated grill and bumper) to get to it. Okay not the end of the world but also not the 15-20 minute job on some cars where you pop the hood and reach down in front of the radiator to unbolt the old and install the new.

For reference:
Mazda5 07+ - Horn Upgrade PICS - 54k NO WAY - Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums

However that got me thinking... driving the Hyundai I use the horn maybe once a year if even that.

How about you guys? How horny are you?

[Jim Richards]

In DC, all the time, damnit! In the NoVA suburbs, rarely. When we're in So Cal, pretty much never.

[stomachmonkey]

All the frikken time but I'm an obnoxious arse with little patience for asshats.

Instead of replacing it just tie in another one.

[flatbutt]

rarely in the truck, VERY,VERY rarely on the bike as I just zoom outa the way!

[look 171]

I am horny daily. GET OFF THE FOOKING PHONE, LIGHT CHANGED A YEAR AGO, MOVE YOUR ASSS. STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE AND CLOSE THAT GAP AHEAD OF YA SO ALL OTHERS WOULDN'T TAKE UP THAT SPACE. Now I feel batter that all you guys have heard me. Normally, it falls on deaf ears.

[Jim Richards]

Jeff, you're such a calm, serene fella! Hahaha!

[porsche4life]

Few times a week. Usually to honk at my neighbors and wave...

[recycled sixtie]

I have driven my new to me Miata 300 miles since I got it. I had to use it the other day to make sure it worked. Other than that nothing. Likely use it more this spring as drivers get crazier and don't see me.

I could get one of those whip antennas with a flag on the top. The Miata horn is wimpy at best....

[aigel]

Rarely. It was broken in my 993 for a while (the common airbag frame grommet issue) and I would only miss it in emergency situations a couple times - which is also why I ended up fixing it.

G

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Just about never.
If one has the time to register and think "should I honk?"- Then it's not an emergency.
If it's an emergency, you are buns up wheeling, braking, steering, and avoiding a collision.

Kind of along the same lines as "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."
"If you have time to take your hand off the wheel and electively honk, it's not an emergency."

The only exception I can think of, is that if you are overtaking a car and in their blindspot- then- my thumb is near the button if they start veering over. That's about it.

My wife yells at/ honks at people because they merely exist. Drives me crazy.

Edit- my dad got to a point in life where he drove SUV's- He drove my 951 on the interstate one day and commented how if you are "small" no one respects you. He said that never happened when he drove his u-haul van he bought at some auction somewhere. Seems to be a common theme in this thread with the miata's and such.

[jyl]

A few times a year, maybe. I'm all about the Zen.

[ledhedsymbols]

No point to it really... The clowns that need it either don't care or know exactly what they're doing. Sometimes I make kissy faces at D-bags when they pass though.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Huh? Did that guy say something? Tell him to shut up - I wan to focus on my YouTube video.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Just about never.
If one has the time to register and think "should I honk?"- Then it's not an emergency.
If it's an emergency, you are buns up wheeling, braking, steering, and avoiding a collision.

Kind of along the same lines as "If you have to ask, you can't afford it."
"If you have time to take your hand off the wheel and electivelly honk, it's not an emergency."

The only exception I can think of, is that if you are overtaking a car and in their blindspot- then- my thumb is near the button if they start veering over. That's about it.

My wife yells at/ honks at people because they merely exist. Drives me crazy.

Agreed!

My question to horn users would be: what do you think honking the horn will accomplish?

Do you think that by sounding your horn that suddenly all the idiots will decide to start driving well?

Heck, I bet the idiots wouldn't even think it is for them.

Any one ever think that maybe someone's baby is sleeping in a house nearby and now you've woken it up?

[Amail]

I'll use it for to attract someone's attention. If someone looks like they're going to pull out in front of me, I'll give a quick beep. If the guy in front of me doesn't move when the light turns, I'll give him a couple seconds then give him a beep.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

My wife yells at/ honks at people because they merely exist. Drives me crazy.

This concerns me about my wife... in the big city honking at random people can get you into some trouble if you are not careful.

Originally Posted by jyl

A few times a year, maybe. I'm all about the Zen.

Maybe you could find a horn that goes ohmmmm?

[sand_man]

Rarely.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Huh? Did that guy say something? Tell him to shut up - I wan to focus on my YouTube video.

We had an old DVD player die here at work... I did a online search for DVD players... the only results were for in dash DVD head units.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Jeff, you're such a calm, serene fella! Hahaha!

You know, I feel so much better now that's out in the open.

You must bring that DC horn habit out here.

[BeyGon]

It wakes up the people on the phone at the stop light.