Remote starter experiences?

[HawkeyeScott]

Thinking of buying my mom and dad a remote starter for their cold weather driver. (2002 Jeep GC Limited)

Remote starters sound like a great idea, especially for them. They live in Iowa and do not park inside. Trouble is, I'm not sure how willing they would be to install it themselves. How easy would that be? (I may contact their mechanic to see if he might do it.)

Has anyone had one of these things? Do they work? Are they worth the trouble? My parents are the type who don't like to be spoiled by "fancy" things. But as they get older, I think they might enjoy this.

Thanks a lot and happy holidays.

-Scott

 

[xxch4osxx]

I would get it installed by someone who knows how to install them. They are great for starting a vehicle and not having to get all dressed to go outside and star it. A warm vehicle is nice to get into!

 

[Paul56]

I had an Avital unit on a Toyota that worked flawlessly.

The snake pit to avoid with these things is the installation which can be very poor.

 

[Nick R]

We got our unit installed at bestbuy. We love it. Ours was a very expensive model. The remote beeps different patterns to let you know if it started, if it locks or unlocks etc.

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

My sister bought one from a local electronics chain and had them install it. She had more trouble with the scheduling of the install than anything, but it's worked OK since then. If you can't stand the cold, they're worth it.

 

[duaneb9729]

Sounds like a great gift! i bet they will love it!

 

[Tdbo]

Have had remote starters installed on four vehicles. All have been Audiovox. I have a local guy who charges $180 installed (including the box for the PATS key) We enjoy them and use them every morning in the winter.

 

[JustinH]

I really like the compustar starters.

It comes with a pager that gives confirmation that the car has actually started.

You can start the car from your bedroom, or from inside your office and not even see the car.

There are also so many other features that you would never think of.

There is a mode where you can leave the car running somewhere, press a button, then take the keys out, and lock the doors.

If anyone trys to move the car, it will stall.

Great for getting milk at a store in a blizzard.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

My 99 SL2 Saturn came with an afternmarket remote starter installed. Would not want to have a car without one. I use my car to transport elderly and feeble people. The extra heat or cooling made a big difference for them. Mine will grind the starter if you turn the key too far. I would look for one that will not grind the starter if you turn the ignition key too far.

 

[mrsilv04]

I'd like to have one on my truck, but the thought of someone cutting and splicing it into the wiring harness is enough to keep me from doing it.

 

[ChiTDI]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I'd like to have one on my truck, but the thought of someone cutting and splicing it into the wiring harness is enough to keep me from doing it.


My fears too. I spoke with an electronics pro about that and he confirmed. Guys that do it all the time know what not to do and how to avoid the "comebacks". I had professional installation on a six year old Toyota and it's been fourteen flawless months. Wife loves it.

 

[KrisZ]

I have one and I love it in winter. It is definitley a good idea. Make sure you don't go too fancy and that the starter is not too complicated to operate.

I would not personally recommended buying a starter from one place and then have it installed by another place, usually this route will be more expensive. Find a store that sells and installs them, you can save some money and the install should be painless, search internet for good installer near you and don't put that burden on your parents, because even the best and most expensive starter can be a pain if poorly installed.

 

[JTK]

Gasoline at $3-4/gallon quickly took away my desire to have one again. I installed a Bulldog RS on my 1998 Chevy K1500 some years ago. It's not a real horrible DIY job since any of the DIY kits show you where to gain access and exactly what wires to tie into for your specific vehicle. You don't cut *most* of the critical wiring, more or less remove a band of insulation and tie into. The problem with lots of shop installed aftermarket jobs is they have to get them done quick and they will take shortcuts with respect to how it's *stuffed* in there.

Joel

 

[LS2JSTS]

Agree with everyone here, dont cut corners or cheap out on the install. I speak from experience, the possibility for major electrical problems are very real.

Find a very experienced installer that knows your car and has done the install many times. Cant stress that enough. After my one aftermarket install, I only go for the factory installs, what a nightmare!

 

[ernied]

i have had them installed in five hyundais and two chevys and never had a problem with them.the one that i had installed on my 09 santa fe was put on the a black fob or whatever you call the devise you call to unlock the doors and it unlocks the door arm the securty alarm and flashes to let you know the car has started it also turns on the parking lights.cost $325.00 installed.worth it on -20 farenhiet days.

 

[hsd]

I don't have one because my cars are parked inside a garage, but my neighbor who parks on the street next my bedroom window has one that honks the horn 3 times at 6 AM when he starts it. Quite annoying especially since he is retired and just going to have coffee with his cronies.

 

[hone eagle]

Viper makes one now that a cell phone (with the correct app) will start from across the country -if you want.

 

[charbaby]

I've heard as many horror stories as successful stories. And all of the installations were professionaly done. When they work, the customer is as happy as a clam. When they don't work, they cause electrical issues from horns to head light to thing that just don't work anymore or only sometimes. My wife has wanted one since we bought our Lexus in 01. 3 different Lexus dealers at the time recomended against it for similar reasons. Most reasons being that the remote starters bypass the factory ignition and ignition kill system and often cause problems. Also, the quality of the units left quite a bit to be desired. That was then! Today, I hope that the technology and quality of the remote starters are much better as I would like one too! But Im still hearing horror stories due to each vehicle being different and you'd better hope that you don't get a butcher. The installer has a great deal to do with it.

 

[hone eagle]

Professional only means you paid money ,the "pro" still could of been a high school hack.
I asked my dealer 'who does all your installations'? ,then I asked the same question of a local high volume car repair shop (canandian tire) because they dont do it themselves its jobbed out.I got the same anwser from both -went there- 6 years ago and only just replaced the battery in the fob.

 

[daves87rs]

I've considered one, but I'm just not sure...