Remote Car Starter

[ryanps]

Some time ago wife mentioned that she would like a remote car starter for X-mas. Of course, being a guy I have procrastinated. Anyone have any advice on these? What to stay away from or are they pretty straightforward and just about any will do?
Thanks in advance,
Ryan

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I am hereby subscribing to this thread!

Things I do know at this point is :

1) Professional installation is the only way to go.

2) Check make and model to see if it is really going to work.

3) Be prepared to pay more than you think you are as they start adding on by pass this, by pass that, trunk this, valet that.

4) Installation at Circuit City is a mixed bag.

5) Installation at Best Buy often has a couple month schedule.

6) You will likely loose functions that you currently have as they by pass the factory system.

7) By the time everything gets worked out my wife will have hit 45,000 miles which is the point that company cars are traded for new ones, restarting the whole process . . . . .

[crokett]

I can't say anything about brand names, but watching a coworker go through installation **** with Best Buy I would find a good shop in your area that knows what it is doing to do the install. I think he went back 5 times after the original install before he got everything worked out.

[ryanps]

Thanks for the information guys.
The local radio ad for a car stereo dealer said they can do the install before or after x-mas. Guess I will check them out and see all the options.
Ryan

[Copper]

I have Python remote starter in my 99 Corolla and love it ( I don't recall the model). The car didn't have remote door locks before but it does now, which is nice. Remote works up to about a 1/4 mile away. I had mine installed at a stereo shop.

Something to keep in mind though. If your car has a microchip in the key, the key needs to be in close proximity to the car when it is started. We looked into this for our Passat, but they would have to mount an extra key in the car so that the remote starter would work. It would also have voided the warranty on the car.

[messmaker]

My wife is wanting one as well. Sounds like a aftermarket can be scary. Do dealers offer these? My wife has a Honda if that matters.

[Kerf]

At Last!!! Something that I'm an expert of!!!

Remote car starters are nothing to be scare of, you just need to make sure that the installer knows what is doing and is using the right product for your vehicle.
Usually BestBuy and circuitCity installers don't have enough experience and are more likely to make big big mistakes, besides that sometimes some of them just don't care to do a good job at all.

1. Try to find a local specialized shop that offer professional installations, it may be a little more expensive but it will pay off in the long run. Look for lifetime warranty for parts and labor
   
2. You can not go wrong with Products from Directed electronics, Code Alarm, or Audiovox
   
3. Do not try to go cheap, dont buy brands like "Bull Dog" or the ones that wallmart sells or you will be very very sorry.

If you have any questions I will be happy to help.

[ryanps]

Thanks again guys. Wife's car is a 2002 Ford Focus. As long as she doesn't lose remote entry she will be happy. Her car is usually 300 feet from the building where she works (not hidden or anything--just across the parking lot).

Jeffrey, since your wife will be getting a new company car is the remote start an item that you uninstall and then reinstall on the new car? Or do you just buy a new unit when you get a new car? Can't say we are in the market to replace her car (I've been patiently waiting for my Jeep Wrangler for around 10 years now) but if we did, it would be nice to know if we can move the unit (don't see why not other than maybe what Kerf mentions in that newer keys seem to affect the units).
Ryan