Don't know what part of MN you're in, but a couple of months ago I was driving Hwy 2 up north, and noticed that the town of Bagley had replaced their Thunderbolt with a new 2001. It might be worth investigating...
I think a lot of it boils down to control. I was terrified of sirens and fire alarms when I was a kid---and I still LOATHE being startled---but sirens and fire alarms aren't nearly as intimidating when you're the one turning them on and off. The whole "easily startled" part is a factor too...