YACT: Remote Car Starter

[Ornery]

Thanks Matt, I could live with that price. Overriding this car's security system tacks another $125 to it, and that's just a bit over the top. I guess I could sacrifice my key for the project and save $60, but that seems kind of risky. I could save another $100 by installing it myself, but it would still top $200 and I may screw up the install or worse! Not to mention, I wanted it to be a surprise for Xmas. Hmmm, I wonder if she'd like a necklace instead...

 

[xSauronx]

and still..i just turn the car on and go eat breakfast while it warms up

last winter i read a number of news stories though that some towns have made it illegal after people kept getting their cars stolen while it warmed up.

in fact, i think one guy started a car and went inside; it was stolen, he called the cops, they said come fill out the paperwork. So he started his wifes car to warm it up, before heading to the station....and that one got stolen too.

 

[rudeguy]

I didnt read the entire thread, just the first post.

I sell remote starts for a living. If installed the right way with the right parts they do not void any factory warranties. There was actually a court case that decided that fact. With an '03 corolla there is very little wiring involved. I looked your car up on the program that we use and its nothign special.

The only thing that worries me is the brand that your gf got you. You dont want to cheap out on a remote start. It is connected to basically every part of your car from the parking lights to the tach wire. (if its hooked up right that is) Directed Electronics Inc (DEI) makes most of the remote starters on the market and they are great starters. You might want to talk to the place to see if they sell DEI. DEI makes Python, Sidewinder, Viper, Valet, Hornet, Clifford, and Avatal. Most dealers sell them. The advantage of DEI is that they give you a lifetime warranty that is very simple. Its a swap out warranty where they just give you a new one if something goes wrong.

Never get a remote start or alarm installed at the dealer. I have seen the wiring jobs they do on them. I have convinced most of the dealers around me that its better to just send the customer to me rather than having their guys guess at what they are doing. My company installs more remote starters than any other company in the state, so we know what we are doing. You dont want someone installing one of those if they are clueless.

 

[Saulbadguy]

I had an alarm, remote starter, glass breakage sensors, etc etc..DEI brand, for 400 bucks installed.

 

[Saulbadguy]

Oh...and remote start rules, if you live in a place where it actually gets cold in the winter, and you live on the 3rd floor (like myself).

They even make remote starters that you can dial a phone number and it will start your car.

 

[oogabooga]

a friend of mine has remote start in california, i ask why, he thinks it's cool. And it is.

*shrugs*

 

[YellowRose]

They are really good if you have people that don't like you. No reason to be in a car when it goes boom.

 

[mobobuff]

I always heard that remote starters were bad for the ignition?

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
I always heard that remote starters were bad for the ignition?

The old ones were. The new ones either crank for a specific amount of time (usually 0.8 seconds), current sense to see when your vehicle gets above 12 volts, or they sense the RPMs your car is revving at. The good ones have an anti crank device on them that prevents you from grinding your starter while the car is started.

I will never own a car that doesnt have a remote starter ever again.

 

[Night201]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
I always heard that remote starters were bad for the ignition?

No, my starter starts it perfectly. I think it probably even starts it better than I do.

 

[Night201]

Originally posted by: xSauronx
and still..i just turn the car on and go eat breakfast while it warms up

last winter i read a number of news stories though that some towns have made it illegal after people kept getting their cars stolen while it warmed up.

in fact, i think one guy started a car and went inside; it was stolen, he called the cops, they said come fill out the paperwork. So he started his wifes car to warm it up, before heading to the station....and that one got stolen too.

That's kind of hard. Without the key in the ignition, the engine shuts off when you press the brake to put the car in gear, so it's virtually impossible to drive off with it. Maybe his system didn't do that?

 

[Ornery]

Mr. Nicholls is making the case for owning a remote start, rather than starting the car yourself, and leaving it unattended with the key in the ignition. That's exactly what I do with my cars right now, though I do lock them while they're running.

 

[Ornery]

Gawd, I'm getting quoted $300.00 for my wife's car (with the bypass module), and $250 for my son's car. WTF, that is TOO MUCH! I got quoted on the Viper 130XV installed in both. I assume they'd use the $30.00 DEI 555F Bypass Module in the newer car.

I called a mechanic, who does work for a decent price, and asked him to give me a quote. It turns out he can't buy the Viper units because he's not an authorized distributor. Well, screw this crap, I'm going to do it myself. What brand can I get that's worth a damn? I really wanted the DEI unit, but the hell with them now. Is this $80.00 Ready Remote Car Starter from Target worth a shot? Their $30.00 Bypass Module looks complicated compared to DEI's units.

Hmmm, I wonder why DEI will still sell their Valet remote starts to the public? I can get one of those for under $100.00, and $30.00 for the bypass module. The $170.00 left in my pocket will be more than enough incentive to scrape my knuckles a little bit!

Any other systems worth a look?