Remote Start options

[DrDusty86]

I would like to get a remote starter for my car.. I have heard from everyone I've asked that they are all trouble some junk. I would even consider a Ford unit.. I heard that none of them work well. I'm looking for opinions of people that have them.. Brand, how long you've had it, problems, etc..
Price doesn't matter, quality does.
Thanks,
Dusty

 

[bdcardinal]

What type of horseless carriage will this be installed in?

 

[DrDusty86]

it's my 99' Escort zx2?

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Most people i know have said the same thing, the factory units are not so bad, but aftermarket units for most have had many issues. I think some of this is due to the $8.00 a hour pimple face kid (A.K.A.) installer.. not knowing his stuff.

horror story: funny one too, My old neighbor had a viper remote starter installed in his new Ram truck.. just bragged and bragged.. then the troubles, another neighbor had something (not sure what) that whenever he activated it, it started the Ram as well.. obviously a problem.. so the truck went back to the store, NEW SETUP.. first nite it was home, the truck started itself multiple times-->on its own
i like the idea of a remote starter, but this story, and seeing all the troubles my old neighbor had turned me off

on the flip side buddy at work has a GM 2500 pickup with factory remote starter, it works A LONG WAYS AWAY.. and he loves it. had the truck a couple of years now and ive never heard him say a bad thing about it..

 

[wallyuwl]

Current day remote starts aren't that bad. I got one a maybe six years ago and the range was short, and every time you disconnected the battery it had to to be reprogrammed, and it was a pain to reprogram. It died for good about two years ago.

So about a year ago I got this one: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Avital+-+4111+Remote+Start+System+(Basic+Install+Included)+-+Black/9495076.p?id=1218114247707&skuId=9495076.

It has been good. Range is good, and it doesn't lose its program when the battery is disconnected. Purchasing it and getting it installed at Best Buy means a lifetime warranty on the product and install. Our installer was great.

Most all of the aftermarket systems are made by Directed. This includes the Viper brand, which is a little more upscale if you are looking for more than remote start (ie: door locks, and even the ability to use your phone to control your remote start).

Be aware that most vehicles will require a bypass that costs about $80 in order to work. My Vibe is one of the few that didn't, though. My dad's truck (we got it buy one get one free - for the hardware) needed one. I'm not sure about your Escort.

 

[DrDusty86]

How much are they installed?

 

[wirelessF]

Most shops will include the installation with the advertised price. Slightly more for extra needed parts.

I bought a remote start for my truck, payed less than they advertised, since I was gonna install it myself. Now I can start my truck with my smartphone lol.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Directed Electronics is the best remote start I have ever worked with. DEI also sells the Python, Automate and Your Valet lines of remote start systems. You can buy a stand-alone remote start, a keyless entry system with remote start, an alarm with remote start, there are a lot of options and prices available. You can visit www.directed.com for more info, and you can use their dealer locator to find an authorized DEI installer in your area.

The price will vary depending on whether your vehicle needs any immobilizer or ignition interface modules. It will also vary depending one whether you buy a stand-alone remote start or one that is part of an alarm system. Price will range from $150.00 installed to upwards of $350.00 installed, depending on the system you buy and prices for the area of the country where you live..

DEI is the best you can buy. The thing to remember and the most important part of it is, the remote start will only be as good as the installer who puts it in your vehicle. Maybe ask friends, colleagues, neighbors, family etc to find a good local independent car audio/alarm store that has a good reputation and go from there.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I have an older Valet one on my 99 SL2. The previous owner had it installed by a shop that did installs for the Saturn dealership. I love it. Still working after more than 10 years. Mine will grind the starter, so I have to remember to not turn the key too far. I wish I had one that prevented grinding the starter. I do not have the original fob. Only problem was it would not work well on rainy days, etc. I thought it was a bad fob battery. I had a bad fuse that was shorting out. I fixed it. Was going to be expensive to have the shop that installed it trouble shoot it. There are a lot of wires under my dash. I would have a reputable shop do the work.

 

[dwendt44]

Find a shop that does it often. Here, a auto glass company and a stereo shop install remote start.
Not the cheapest but the better choice.

Some them require an extra key (chip in them).

 

[Smoky14]

After reading these posts I'm still wondering why you need or want one. Even when I lived in the Colo mountains a block heater was plenty enough. At the price of gas and the polution involved I just can't see it.
Just because we can doesn't mean we should IMHO

 

[ernied]

i have them on both of my cars.they even program the remote to do the same as the orginal fob.lock and unlock the doors trunk panic alarm and ect.i have used them on all my cars since 1996.never had a problem great range.it cost me $320.00 for my 2010 sonata i dont rember what it cost for the others but the price went up with each car.the grage gives a lifetime warrenty on them.

 

[opus1]

Smoky14, I've had 2 cases where my car has been frozen shut overnight and if I had a remote starter, I could have left the heater/defroster so that when the car was started, the heat would have melted the ice. Otherwise, I pretty much agree, although a remote starter would be less hassle than remembering to plug in the heater.

 

[Tdbo]

I have had four of them. I have a guy locally who has installed all of them and does an excellent job. All have been Audiovox units.

First was in my 2000 Taurus (my wife got it for me as a Christmas present 8 years ago.) $150 out the door (included the box for the transponder key.) Works great, only thing ever done to it was the battery for the remote.
Second was a 2004 Ranger. Same unit and price. No issues while I owned it.
Third was my wife's 2006 Odyssey. Same unit and price. Kind of wonky to use. Have to do a weird key sequence because of Honda's anti-theft system. No problems.
Fourth is the 2003 Ranger I own now. Same unit, price went up a touch ($170 OTD.) No problems whatsoever. The key to all of this is the installer. Find someone who has done a bunch of them (my mechanic introduced me to this guy.) and ask around anyway. Make sure that they know what they are doing because if they don't, it will be a disaster.

 

[RacerE7773]

The one we had in our pos Impala worked very well until its "father" (me) reinstalled the dash after a radio replacement and pinched the wire. Still have to fix a couple things with that.

 

[KrisZ]

I bought the original Mazda remote from the dealer and installed it myself when my car was brand new. So far the remote works flawlessly, has a very good range despite being on FM frequencies and I am really happy with it.

Installation is the most important aspect of the system, avoid Best Buys and other large retail stores that also do installations. Find a good local car audio shop, they will have more experienced techs.