Has anyone added an aftermarket alarm/security system/keyless entry? If so I was wanting to find out what is the best. I have looked at the DEI sidewinders/pythons, which will be about $275 installed. I know that most of them offer a bit of a warranty but to be eligible you have to have an authorized dealer install it for you. And that adds about $150. So has anyone installed it themselves? And How hard is it to do so?
Thanks
AUS

 

I would have to say the best alarm is the Viper 791 XV. Vipers are among the hardest to install. Takes about 2 hours for a professional. You have to do a lot to install that system. There are a lot of sensors and remote starter included in the viper. Hifi Buys installs it for about $200 or so.

 

just this week i had a clifford matrix 3.5 installed in mine. it has remote start, turbo timer, hood/door/ignition/shock sensors and a pager keychain so you know if that alarm you hear is yours and which sensors were trigered. i added 2 piezo sirens in the cabin (so loud i couldn't sit in the seat for even 2 seconds with them sounding) and a self-powered siren under the hood (that way if a theif tries to just cut the power to the sirens, the one siren keeps sounding). i may add little things to it here and there in the future, but if what i already have doesn't stop them, i don't think anything would.

i watched the guy install it (about 4-5 hours, taking his time to do it right) - so i had input as to how everything was installed (including where to put the antenna, LED, and valet button and how long the TT/remote start would run).

i would NEVER have tried this myself - i'm handy, but that was A LOT of wires.

one thing about antenna placement - don't let them tell you that you HAVE to mount it out somewhere (my guy wanted to stick it right to the windshield). i had him hide it in the A-pillar, and then i ran across the parking lot to test range. it still recieved signal from my keychain from very very far away. if your installer gives you crap about how hiding the antenna will reduce range, have him hide it where you want it, then test it.

also, i don't know if this is true, but the installer said that the factory immobilizer is way better than the one that comes with the alarm - so he just left the factory one inplace.

hope this helps!

p.s. don't get the remote start feature if you have the habbit of leaving your car in gear. 2 of the 3 installers at the place i had mine done said they don't even allow it. the only reason i felt safe getting it is that i was taught years ago to leave standard transmissions in neutral and that's what i've always done - i know no other way. also, the guy wired the remote start to the e-break - the car will not remote start if the e-break isn't at least on.

 

wow, dude...you must live or work in the ghetto

 

 

do you have to get an alarm with remote start to have a turbo timer function? Or is it independent

 

Viper 791XV and Clifford 3.5 are the same exact alarm, sve for carbon or blue remote.

I have the viper and I think it is great.

You can make your own turbo timer with a couple of timed relays but it isnt worth it in th long run.

 

any alarm you can find with TT will almost definitly have remote start too. but, as far as i can tell, you don't have to have the remote start feature wired up to use the TT. but i don't know for sure.

 

I am going with the Viper 690 XV. I am having it installed next week to prevent my car from being vandalized again like it was this past weekend. I am having it done for $400 with tilt sensor so they can't steal my wheels again.

Shane

 

can you use the remote starter with the manual transmission?

 

yes...if you can find someone willing to install it for you. It is a little risky but as long as you dont leave it in gear your ok

 

Find a Clifford Avantgaurd G4 or Solaris G4. They are stcikshift safe remote start, have every feature programmable w/ Windows 95 or better and have the best security on the market.

 

you can get a clifford with paging system for 600 dollars...im getting that one in a few months...rite now im using a viper w/o paging. The guys said that he will put the clifford in for 600 and i can have an aux button to pop my trunk. Add 25 bucks for tilt sensor, another 25 for proximity sensor, and maybe i might get the GPS so i can track my car...i think thats like another 100...

 

You're getting ripped off. Clifford is Viper now and the harnesses will be identical. The majority of the upgrade will be plug & play.

 

For about 80 bucks I use a immobilizer sensor device. It comes with a key chain and credit card size sensor. I use the credit card one since its the same exact size and depth of a normal credit card which fits in my wallet. All you do is take the credit card sensor and move it close to the main sensor which is usually installed under the steering wheel panel and it disables the immobilizer. Once it detects your card it will have a beeping sound and then your car is able to start. Even if I were to lose my car keys the thieves wont be able to start my car without the card. Sorry if it sounds confusing. I also use a normal pager car alarm with it. Sorry if it sounds confusing.