YACT: Remote Car Starter

[Night201]

I have a 2003 Corolla and want to get a remote car starter installed in it for this years coming winter. I called the dealership I got it from and anotherone nearby and they both said it was $595 installed.

I know I can just buy an aftermarket one and have it installed somewhere else for cheaper, but then it would void my electrical warrenty (which could be costly should something ever happen...god for bid).

So, how much do you think I can get this $595 down to? I was hoping to at least try to knock off $100. Do you think that is reasonable? I believe they use an Audiovox unit. I think they are rather cheap like $100...it's expensive because of all the labor I believe...



UPDATE: My Girlfriend bought me a car starter for my birthday. She's the best! I'm going to be bringing it to a certified installer (as per the company that makes it) tomorrow to have it installed. Cost: $150! - much better than $600

She got me the Remote Car Starter with Keyless Entry and Alarm from Deluxe International.

 

[fs5]

I really don't see the point of having a remote starter, why not just sit in the car while it warms up? what does it take, 30 second? a minute?

then again I live in CA.

 

[HamSupLo]

save your money

 

[Slvrtg277]

I have an aftermarket in my car and my warranty is still good.

It shouldn't void the warranty if it is professionally installed, I don't think....

 

[nakedfrog]

Sounds like a tremendous ripoff to me, especially for ANYTHING with the Audiovox name on it.

 

[mcvickj]

That is very expensive. Just recently I heard a commercial on the radio for a local shop doing the installs for like $250ish purchased and installed. Mine was purchased from Best Buy and they installed it. IIRC its a Vipir system.

TO fs5: They are well worth the cost. Nothing better to walk to your car already warmed up from a cold Michigan night. The only problem is you need to make sure to set the heat to max before you leave your car for the night. Well at least thats with my system.

 

[Night201]

Originally posted by: mcvickj
That is very expensive. Just recently I heard a commercial on the radio for a local shop doing the installs for like $250ish purchased and installed. Mine was purchased from Best Buy and they installed it. IIRC its a Vipir system.

TO fs5: They are well worth the cost. Nothing better to walk to your car already warmed up from a cold Michigan night. The only problem is you need to make sure to set the heat to max before you leave your car for the night. Well at least thats with my system.

Good to hear so far. Thanks for taking the time to write.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: Night201
I have a 2003 Corolla and want to get a remote car starter installed in it for this years coming winter. I called the dealership I got it from and anotherone nearby and they both said it was $595 installed.

I know I can just buy an aftermarket one and have it installed somewhere else for cheaper, but then it would void my electrical warrenty (which could be costly should something ever happen...god for bid).

So, how much do you think I can get this $595 down to? I was hoping to at least try to knock off $100. Do you think that is reasonable? I believe they use an Audiovox unit. I think they are rather cheap like $100...it's expensive because of all the labor I believe...

It will NOT void your warranty. The dealership would have to prove the aftermarket part caused a failure.

Text

 

[Ornery]

I got a Valet installed at Best Buy a few years ago in our '88 E-150, pretty cheaply. They're not listed as a dealer anymore though. I wanted to get one installed in my wife's '99 Grand Marquis, but we need to buy another ignition key to override the theft protection, so I haven't done it yet. I think that's another $50.00 added to the cost.

If NJ winter is like Ohio, I can certainly see the need for it. Nothing like hopping into a warm car in the dead of winter!

 

[Kishan]

i've seen just remote starters for about 200 bucks installed depending if you need a bypass and have a chip on the key. Max it could be is $500, but thats the Viper 710 or 720 which has the LCD that tells you which door is open and such. thats a rip off, especially for a toyota.

 

[Night201]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: Night201
I have a 2003 Corolla and want to get a remote car starter installed in it for this years coming winter. I called the dealership I got it from and anotherone nearby and they both said it was $595 installed.

I know I can just buy an aftermarket one and have it installed somewhere else for cheaper, but then it would void my electrical warrenty (which could be costly should something ever happen...god for bid).

So, how much do you think I can get this $595 down to? I was hoping to at least try to knock off $100. Do you think that is reasonable? I believe they use an Audiovox unit. I think they are rather cheap like $100...it's expensive because of all the labor I believe...

It will NOT void your warranty. The dealership would have to prove the aftermarket part caused a failure.

Text

Good read. Thanks. That makes me feel better.

 

[Red]

Right now you can buy a Keyless entry / remote start from Best Buy for about $50... comes with a CD which shows you how to install it. If you have any electrical / mechanical inclination, you can do it yourself... save a ton of money... and not void your warranty. I play on doing this the next couple of weeks to warm up mah car.

 

[virtueixi]

It helps a lot if you have a multimeter, so that you can figure out when each wire is live. Although, wiring diagrams would be even better.

 

[The Stigenator]

check crutchfield.. they got remote starters with the install instructions or you can use localinstaller.com or whatever crutchfield's service is called.

If you got a manual, your going to have trouble, you need a clutch override. Secondly if you got a PATS or an passive antitheft system / key fob based transmitter that is an ignition interlock, you will need additional hardware. Mazda/Ford/Mercury/Lincoln alll have the PATS system.

 

[MisterJackson]

My friend had a combo alarm/starter system installed on his 350Z. After all was said and done he sunk about $600 in it. His had window control too, as well as an LCD remote that alerted to any break in's within a two mile radius.

The number one rule is: KNOW and TRUST whoever does the work. Because if they F up, then you're going to go through hell to get it right.

 

[richardycc]

I paid less than that for an alarm AND remote starter, all with 2 way communication remote, etc. I can start the car about 4mins walk away.

 

[Night201]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to check Crutchfield now. I don't know why I didn't even think of that. I'm going to have to do some research of some companies in the area that can install it. I'll do anything with a computer, but I don't feel too comfortable with playing with the electrical system in my car. Unless the directions are super easy. I also don't want to get a huge surge of amps in me and die.

 

[Night201]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
check crutchfield.. they got remote starters with the install instructions or you can use localinstaller.com or whatever crutchfield's service is called.

If you got a manual, your going to have trouble, you need a clutch override. Secondly if you got a PATS or an passive antitheft system / key fob based transmitter that is an ignition interlock, you will need additional hardware. Mazda/Ford/Mercury/Lincoln alll have the PATS system.

Just called Crutchfield and they stopped selling them about 3 years ago, so they say...

 

[isekii]

do it yourself and buy yourself and a buddy a 30pack for the help.

 

[Ornery]

How is it working, Matt? Was the installation as cheap as you hoped? Did you have to buy another ignition key? How is the range?

Anybody else have good experience with a different brand? Bestbuy or CircuitCity's offerings and installs worth a damn?

 

[RossMAN]

When I was researching remote starters the UseNet NewsGroups rec.audio.* and rec.auto.* were very helpful.

 

[Dabappa]

You could try: Bulldog Security
Go to: Direct Wholesale for thier pricing (Bulldog sold direct back when I bought mine).

I have installed a couple of thier remote starters in the past. Intallation is not all that bad, and should be much simpler if they have a T-harness for your car. The last I knew the installation manuals were available on their website, so you could get some idea of the complexity.

Their instructions are good, they have wiring information for most cars online, and their telephone/email tech support was decent.

Good Luck,

 

[Ornery]

Just got quoted from BestBuy and CircuitCity. They have units from Viper, Bulldog and a couple others. Units ranged from $50 - $100 and installation was $100. I also needed a "bypass box", which is $112 at BB and $80 at CC. Also needed several $5 relays, and an extra ignition key, which is about $60. That is a bit pricey IMO. My wife is going to have to be really good to get one of those this Xmas! :evil:

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: fs5
I really don't see the point of having a remote starter, why not just sit in the car while it warms up? what does it take, 30 second? a minute?

then again I live in CA.

yeah i think it would be more worth it if you live in fargo or something.

 

[Night201]

Installation was easy. I dropped it off at one of the certified installers (as per the companies website) and picked it up abuot 4 hours later. It cost $159 ($150 + 6% tax). I have 2 remotes with it. Both work. Also, I am able to use my old keyless unit from Toyota if I want too, but I don't. I need to take it off of my keychain.

It's been great so far. It's worked everytime I try it and there is no problem starting it from my apartment window (which is probably about 200 feet from my car). The advertised range on it is 1000 feet. I'll probably try that one day, but so far, I haven't needed to. I highly recommend getting one of these. The one my gf got for me is great (See original post above).

PM me if any of you have any questions.