Any Tips on Remote Car Starters?

[blacksambo]

Want to get a remote car starter for wife's '99 for her birthday later this month. She has to park a fair distance from her office in bad weather and thought this type of device would be a nice treat. Does anybody have any experience/ recomendations to offer? Thx

[Mile High VX]

I have a compuSTAR system on my '01 that was installed by a previous owner.

It has been a great system with no problems.

It has a full 8 point alarm system and all the bells and whistles...

http://www.compustar.com/products/cs/RF-2W900.html

About $600 on their website.

[rowhard]

Dealer I got my VX from was doing a deal on alarm/remote start, love it. Think your wife would love it. Think about one that has the alarm and a good panic button system since she has to trek across a big parking lot. All down to how much you want to pay.

[Exclamation]

I got the viper alarm 5701 system for mine, have not installed it yet due to the VX getting a new tranny installed at the moment but after I get it back and get it installed ill let you know how I like it. But from looking at it and the features it seems like a very nice system.

[johnnyapollo]

I have the CompuSTAR as well - fantastic system. The only issues I've had are with the remote - over time they get really worn out and the remote mine uses is no longer available from the company. However I could to to an FM model (mine uses SpreadSpectrum for the 6000 ft radius) by replacing the remote and antenna, but it pushes the radius down to 3000 ft. So far I've managed to snag remotes for SS on eBay but it's becoming harder and harder to find them.

-- John

[JAMAS]

review this TSB (http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/mgpa/kaats/starterkits.gif).

The remote start was already installed when I purchased the VX. I noticed very hard shifts that I thought were due to the mode selector switch. However, if I would stop and restart the VX with the key, not the remote, everything was fine.

The second paragraph in the TSB describes the problem I have. For a work around, I just remote start it....wait for it to warm up, then shut it down. Then I start it up with a key.

[AlaskaVX]

I have Compustar as well and love it, of course I have the same problem with remotes going bad (every year or 2) $100 for a new one. There is a shop around me that offers a lifetime warranty on everything but remote. If you can find a shop like that, I would go there, as once I did have to have the "brain" replaced and that would have costed $250.

I would definately suggest a 2-way autostart so it tells you that it has started. You won't have to stare out the window to look and see if the lights flash or whatever, It beeps back and you know your good to go. Also will "page" you when the alarm goes off... as we all know EVERYONE runs to help when a car alarm goes off LOL! At least YOU can be responsive when you know it is YOUR car alarm going off.

[BeeVenom]

I've had the Viper Alarm system on my 01 proton VX going on nine years and it's awesome! It also has the remote start capability. Exellent quality!

[pbkid]

just my .02, but just to plant a seed here regarding remote/start security...

any DEI product (viper, python, clifford, etc) has lifetime warranty on the security system's brain (the computer under the dash), and a 1 year warranty on their remotes, as long as all parts are installed and serviced by a professional installer.