# Can I get a serious horn for my Corolla? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 3, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680 "2009-01-03T06:01:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/1 "2009-01-03T06:01:42Z")
My Toyota Corolla doesn’t have many faults, but the wimpy, ridiculous horn is one of them. I want a horn that makes other drivers jump in their seats when I blow it. I want them to NOTICE my car is there, goddamnit (there’s a bit of a problem with that). Can I get an after-market, seriously butch horn installed? How would I go about doing this? ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/2 "2009-01-03T06:08:06Z")
You can put in an air horn. A quick search found one for [$29](http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/85105?meta=FRG). I’m not sure that’s all you’ll need but it looks complete. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/3 "2009-01-03T06:09:02Z")
Oh, a car horn! When I read the title I thought… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/4 "2009-01-03T06:25:37Z")
[JC Whitney is your friend.](http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?catalogId=10101&storeId=10101&sku=horn) Is 130db loud enough for you? Or do you need louder? ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/5 "2009-01-03T06:58:27Z")
I have an aftermarket air horn in my Miata. One thing to be aware of is that your aftermarket horn will probably draw more current than stock, as is the case in my installation. In that case, you’ll need to replace the fuse that serves the horn with one with a higher amp rating. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/6 "2009-01-03T08:49:41Z")
If you don’t mind losing trunk space for the air reservoir, you can get a classic railroad Nathan “Five Chime”. It’d look pretty cool on the roof of a Corolla too. [Audio sample](http://www.hornblasters.com/hbaud/NAK5-2h.mp3) ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/7 "2009-01-03T17:09:42Z")
Years ago I had a Ford Courier pickup and it had the typical tinny foreign car horn. I replaced it with a horn off a mid 60’s Cadillac, it was 3 horns of different lengths. It was a lot louder and had a nice 3 note blast to it. The only problem was the horn relay, the new horn burned up the relay and caused it to stick in the on position, this happed at 4 in the morning in front of my brother’s house. It took me 5 minutes to get the horn disconnected. I ended up replacing the stock relay with a Ford starter solenoid, problem fixed. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/8 "2009-01-03T17:38:29Z")
I second the suggestion of Cadillac horns, and of using a stouter relay or solenoid to operate them. I would use the stock fuse, switch, and relay to operate an additional relay or solenoid, with heavy-duty wiring for this additional relay and the horns. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/9 "2009-01-03T18:05:11Z")
Have I told you guys lately that I love you? A train horn on my Corolla - I do believe we are on the same wavelength. I also like the idea of a Caddy horn. I don’t know if 130 dB is loud enough - what does that sound like? Good note about the fuse - I’ll be having the horn installed, so I’ll make sure that the minimum wage teenager installing it knows about that. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/10 "2009-01-03T18:11:13Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Good note about the fuse - I’ll be having the horn installed, so I’ll make sure that the minimum wage teenager installing it knows about that. Unfortunately, the fuse isn’t the only thing to consider. If the new horn(s) draw significantly more amperage than the old one(s), then not only the fuse but also the wiring and either the relay or the switch (depending on the particular design) could be overstressed. If you want the peace of mind of knowing there won’t be a problem, I’d suggest have the installation done by someone who truly understands the electrical factors involved, and who can properly make any modifications that might be necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/11 "2009-01-03T18:15:33Z")
[I think I’ve found the horn I want. 😃](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc9dTaG1zKg) (No, I don’t plan to go around town scaring pedestrians with it. Much.) ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/12 "2009-01-03T18:32:02Z")
Now that’s a horn. Seriously, that video had me cackling so hard I started sweating. It felt like a clip from Jackass. Now that you’ve gotten some good GQ info, I can share that in high school I had a friend who drove a little yellow Opel. The thing was tiny. One time I was getting out of the back seat, and the driver’s seat was flipped forward so I could get out. I leaned on the seat, it pressed into the horn, and something like a foghorn sounded. It was hilarious how deep and loud that horn was, considering the car it was installed in. I loved that horn and tried to finagle a honking of it every time I was around it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/13 "2009-01-03T18:33:18Z")
I’ve always wanted a steam siren for a car horn. (At least, an electronic device that makes the same sound, as actual steam might be problematic.) [Listen here](http://www.steamboat.com.au/Siren%20Sound.mov) (QuickTime). ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/14 "2009-01-03T18:36:38Z")
That sounds oddly sci-fi. Like there’s been a warp core breach. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/15 "2009-01-03T18:40:29Z")
It’s used on ships. I first heard it an a WWII naval battle film, and I’ve always thought it would be great for a car. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/16 "2009-01-03T18:46:00Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > Have I told you guys lately that I love you? A train horn on my Corolla - I do believe we are on the same wavelength. I also like the idea of a Caddy horn. I don’t know if 130 dB is loud enough - what does that sound like? [Like being within 100 ft of a jet.](http://www.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handbook/Decibel.html) I imagine that the horn in the video is about the same volume. ---
**Author:** ![Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9adbd/32.png) [@Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fell_through_the_Ice)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/17 "2009-01-03T19:00:13Z")
> [@scout1222](#): > > Now that’s a horn. Seriously, that video had me cackling so hard I started sweating. WTF is funny about damaging other people’s hearing just so you can act like an asshole? :mad: ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/18 "2009-01-03T19:09:06Z")
Horn? What’s a horn? Oh, I think I remember, that annoying sound the self-entitled make when I’m in their way. Thank Og, you don’t hear them in Seattle. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/19 "2009-01-03T22:00:39Z")
Take **racer72** ’s experience to heart and have your installer put in a manual cut-off switch, just in case there are any problems. ---
**Author:** ![Influential\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680/20 "2009-01-03T22:14:01Z")
> [@Fell\_through\_the\_Ice](#): > > WTF is funny about damaging other people’s hearing just so you can act like an asshole? :mad: I was personally deafened by a car horn so loud my ear drums exploded and I fainted from the blood loss. It’s still funny. Checkmate. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-get-a-serious-horn-for-my-corolla/479680.md?page=2)