[glacialmoraine]

OK,

I've decided the only thing I don't like about my Exige is the steering wheel. Its skinny, its flimsy, and it squeaks when you push on it.

So, I want a new one. Problem is, now I have to pick where I want the horn button(s).

Blasting on backroads the buttons right under the thumbs is awesome. I can honk at things without substantially changing my 10 and 2 grip.

In town, if I am anywhere where the 10 and 2 grip doesn't apply, then there is fumbling. In emergencies I still try to put my hand to the middle. This is a good habit to break because if you do that with an airbag you get your arm ripped off. I'm removing the airbag, but still a good habit to break, rental cars, etc. etc.

So, I'm leaning toward thumb buttons, but the old fashioned center button is nice too. What would you do, and why?

thanks,

gm

 

[ahofste]

Don't seen the real benefit of the thumb horn. I'm not someone who goes around racing on the road honking my way through traffic. A button in the middle for emergency situations would do just fine.

When I first got the car, when doing a lot of quick steering actions, I had the palm of my hand trigger the horn. It made me feel a bit stupid when that happened... Haven't had that problem for a while though.

BTW. where is the option for both: thumb buttons and middle button

 

[Dragon]

Thumb buttons will get pushed under aggressive driving so I prefer the center button.

 

[fpitas]

Center is fine, although my optimum would be a button on the dash. I have never found a horn good for much except hurrying dogs, starting fights, or scaring old people. Unfortunately VA requires one at inspection. The present location is ludicrous, during hard driving it's impossible to not blip the horn.

 

[kmt63]

i didnt know the horn buttons where out at the edge of the wheel for the first few times i drove my car.once i was moving from one gas pump to the next.palming the front face of the wheel.honked at the person pumping gas.then once turning into a parking lot.then i looked down and seen that the horn is there where your thumbs would be when driving.i would rather have it in the middle of the wheel.

 

[glacialmoraine]

BTW. where is the option for both: thumb buttons and middle button

That would probably fit best under "button somewhere else - explain in a post."

thanks for the responses!

gm

 

[Phantom]

I used to inadvertently honk the horn on the track (then wave at the flag station when possible )

Hadn't happened in a while; must have adapted)

 

[5qf3764b]

I honk on the track all the time and then I can never seem to find the horn in time on the road. I'd rather it be in the middle, but then I wouldn't want the new button coming at me doing 100+ mph if the airbag deployed.

 

[TimMullen]

I've been driving small hard to see cars for most of my life. I like having the horn button right next to my thumb - I can instinctively hit it as necessary . Only once (when i first got the Elise) did I ever hit the horn by accident. rotfl

One other thing to consider about a horn button in the middle of the wheel - and the reason that it's not used (much) any more. In a wreck, people often instinctively hit the horn button - not a good thing to have you hand in the middle of the wheel when the air bag goes off and forcefully pushes you hand into your face.

 

[Demonized]

I've been driving small hard to see cars for most of my life. I like having the horn button right next to my thumb - I can instinctively hit it as necessary . Only once (when i first got the Elise) did I ever hit the horn by accident. rotfl

One other thing to consider about a horn button in the middle of the wheel - and the reason that it's not used (much) any more. In a wreck, people often instinctively hit the horn button - not a good thing to have you hand in the middle of the wheel when the air bag goes off and forcefully pushes you hand into your face.

"Stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself, stop hitting yourself"

 

[txdude]

I inadvertently hit the horn a couple times a month... Except for the first month of ownership, I couldn't find it so I assumed we didn't have one

 

[tko211]

I would like it in the passenger side. The idea is that it gives my passenger something to do while I drive. I would also like some weapons and a radar jamming device for my passenger to operate. In short I want a "road superiority" Lotus.

 

[ZAMMY1]

the present buttons would be fine with a substantial ridge around them so as to prevent blowing by mistake.
the next thing i need is a marking over the button area so i can toot wherever the wheel is turned.
perhaps the aforementioned ridge could be white...
sam

 

[Cthulhu]

I like the location and voted as such, but if I were to choose an alternate location, it would be a chain on the inside of the hardtop.

TRUCK HORN!
HONK HONK!!! >=O
get outa my way!

 

[Sleazy E]

i like the thumb horns but i have to admit i inadvertently honked a few times mid intersection when making turns when I wasn't used to them being there

 

[Salty Dog]

In 5 weeks of ownership, I've inadvertently hit the horn button 4 or 5 times. The thumb location is very annoying during any sort of assertive driving, or when making large steering motions even at low speed (residential corners, parking lots, etc...), such that I now have to consciously attempt to not palm the wheel so as to avoid the horn.

Middle location, airbag or not, is the logical and intuitive location for most of the population.

As indicated in the OP, it's really my only gripe with the car.