Remote Start...

[yonkerse]

Hey guys,

Well with the winter season moving into Michigan here real quick, the thought of remote start has crossed my mind many times. I have read around the forum, and done some researching on remote starts, but seems I get more confused the more I look into them. So to I have a couple basic questions to widen my knowledge on the topic.

First of all...Which is a good basic remote start for a decent price? I have seen remote starts with all kinds of features and like a 2 mile range. All that seems kinda excessive to me, but throw out your purchases or what you have heard to be good. I know viper seems to be a decent brand which also includes security...

Second..How difficult are these to be installed by an individual? Im also aware that with Onstar and its security system, the wiring is sometimes hairy and intimidating....I think i saw someone on here awhile back that installed one manually....

Third...Who would you trust to install a remote start? Wouldnt really want to take my car to Best Buy or ABC warehouse because im not very impressed with there work of speaker/deck installs i have seen on friends vehicles....

Any help/comments/suggestions are certainly welcome!

Thanks guys!

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

Another option may be a block or coolant heater. Plug it in, and the car's warmed up. The electricity used is much cheaper than the gas burned with a remote start.

[yonkerse]

I have considered the block heaters, but right now im in college and dont have a garage or regular parking space in my apartment complex and running an extension cord to my car isnt very convenient. Dont you also have a tranny cooler on your car? How difficult are those to install?

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

The cooler was easy to install. On yours, it may be a little harder. Right now it's not connected because the transmission doesn't get hot enough to warrant an additional cooler. I'll connect it up again in the spring, once temperatures are consistently above 45*F at night.

In your case, the remote start may be the better option. It should take a Saturday afternoon to install if you're handy.

[harofreak00]

I am very familiar with the wiring in these cars and know how to read a manual... but I pay someone else to install the remote start every time, its just too much of a headache. If you buy the remote start from a small local stereo shop, they will usually have some install special, like $1 installs.

I have an AutoStart in my 00, and Shannon has an AstroStart in her 00.

[yonkerse]

Hey Haro,

What remote start did you go with? What was the price you paid for it installed, if you dont mind me asking. Have you had pretty good luck with it and no issues? What type of installation warranty did you end up getting?

Thanks!

[harofreak00]

I have the Autostart AS-2600iTW-FM. I received it as a Christmas present from my Dad, who works at a GM dealer. Him and another guy installed it for me. No installation warranty. I think it was about $400, but it is top the line with a 2-way remote.

[laxmangl]

Both my parents have a viper system. They both work great, and were both installed by Best Buy with no trouble. I think they both cost around 300 bucks a piece after everything.

[comatoast]

I worked in a car audio shop for 6 yrs, and have done over 100 remote starts.. Viper has turned around and imo, is now on top.. Those with 2 mile range ( claims ) are more than likely not a reality in the real world.. Almost 100% not likely.. 3000 ft - 1 mile is the a good number and is more than enough range

I currently have this one of my cars with smart start, and will probably put it in the bonneville as well .. But yes, In most car audio shops and BB, this will be $700 + $200 for smart start

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_207 ... gn=froogle

[its840]

best buy sells viper units with free instal

[comatoast]

best buy sells viper units with free instal

lol.. no they dint .. get a quote.. Youll be paying about $100 more than what they claim.. Install, + hood pin+ trunk pin .. they have very fine print

[yonkerse]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I was initially looking into the viper systems and will probably end up going that route. I will get some quotes with installation and see what they are running. Would really like to keep it away from q best buy or ABCWarehouse but we'll see. Any recommendations for which viper system?

[its840]

best buy sells viper units with free instal

lol.. no they dint .. get a quote.. Youll be paying about $100 more than what they claim.. Install, + hood pin+ trunk pin .. they have very fine print

thats for an alarm.. not needed it all you want is remote start and door lock unlock and trunk open.

if someone wants somthing outa my car that bad.. an alarm is not going to stop them...

[comatoast]

best buy sells viper units with free instal

lol.. no they dint .. get a quote.. Youll be paying about $100 more than what they claim.. Install, + hood pin+ trunk pin .. they have very fine print

thats for an alarm.. not needed it all you want is remote start and door lock unlock and trunk open.

if someone wants somthing outa my car that bad.. an alarm is not going to stop them...

for $100 when your already spending 500.. its not a big deal



Ad no.. WHATEVER YOU DO, DONT GET AN INSTALL AT bb. THEIR INSTALLS ARE HORRIBLE.. Try somewhere that actually solders the wire..

[its840]

yes there install is, hmmm how is the best way to put this.. CRAPPY..

[natedawg061987]

Hey @comatoast! I'd like to get the same system or something very similar to that put into my Bonneville that you have in your car(s). Particularly the smartstart system. What has your experience with that been? And like everyone else, I'm leery of having BB install. I've had good luck with them in the past, but that was just to replace my stereo in my 92 Bonnie. And while I was doing some homework on the Viper systems, they had a warning saying something about sites to not purchase from because their products won't be warrantied. So I'm torn on the whole deal. Any advice? I'm in the Rockford, IL area.

Nate