I'm sure it's been discussed before, but bear with me, I'm a little flustered. I need to buy a car alarm, like yesterday, and am hoping some of you can suggest how I can get the most bang for my buck. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I don't want to buy a POS either. A little background info- I've unwittingly moved into the ghetto (an apartment complex where half the people around here don't seem to have jobs). I live here with my fiance and son, he has a early 90s Jetta, an 03 Dakota, and a 00 streetbike. I have an 00 Civic. Last night his street bike was stolen, right out of the flippin' parking lot. I reported it stolen, and they told me they found the tags this morning, in the back of an abandoned car, which (surprise surprise) was also stolen. So to make a long story short, I don't want to get up for work one day and find that my car has been stolen. Sorry if this is a little too much information...

 

where are you located? get a DEI product, like Clifford or Viper. get a back-up battery, and a second siren, to make it sound different from other alarms. then get pins on the hood, trunk, and all the doors. also, get passive arming, it will armi tif you forget, but wont lock the doors, so you wont accidentally lock your keys in. drop the dough on the alarm if you can, it will pay off in the long run. but seriously, if you really really dont want your car stolen, glue razor blades under the dash. its sick and twisted, but anyone whos been cut by a razorblade knows that if you reach under a dashboard and get a gash from one, you wont want to come back later to try again.

 

post #3000 [sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

Thanks, I was looking at Viper. Also I've been looking at an alarm with the two way remote pager with the engine shutoff option. I live in the back of an apartment complex, so if my alarm goes off in the middle of the night, I may not hear it (hence the pager). Is it easy to install on your own, or do you suggest taking it into a shop and paying to have it done?

 

ouch.


Im using Black Widow right now and its really good. It will warn you if you hit the car or anything. It is also really really sensitive. Wont give you false alarm if a loud car drive by, or if its raining hard with nasty thunder.

 

dont install it yourself. and Viper has the Responder 2-way. i highly recommend it.

 

Awesome! Thank you very much.

 

I have been installing car electronics for the last 6 years, which includes alarms. Yes DEI is the best, and I have that myself, but being an installer, I personally know how easy it is to steal a car ESPECIALLY A CIVIC. Unfortunately, installing an alarm actually makes it easier to steal the car. I know, it sounds weird, but here's why: 1) There is a general color scheme for each car, and the purple wire and green wire are always the starter wire. Link the purple to the ignition for a second, and you're car is running. 2) People who steal cars usually already know this stuff because most thiefs were once mechanics or installers.

Honestly, the best way to go is lojack. It's $895 for the entire time you own your car, one payment. The police recommend this for a reason. Another semi GPS option is offered by CODE alarm. (It's a brand of alarm) There is a module you can purchase that allows you to control your alarm via telephone and gps. It can't track your car, but you can call in and have your car shut down and the thieves would have to hotwire it in the middle of the freeway or wherever they are. It's about $100 and there is no subscription fee.

Another thing is installing it yourself (if you do decide to get an alarm) is actually kinda easy. If you want to save the money, email me, and I'll get you all the info you need to do it. All you need is a pair of wire strippers, some tape, and about 6 hours of free time.

I hope I could have been of some help.

Josh

 

cool, thanks for the info. although i dont know if it makes it any "easier" on a honda, as its easy enough already, but an alarm will at least alert you to someone messing with it. but the best way to go is with a Viper responder (or similar setup) with no LED, no lights flashing, and no siren. then they think there is no alarm, they get in you car, not knowing the ignition and fuel are cut, and all the while, your remote is beeping away, and you can walk outside, shotgun in hand. also, an added measure, Viper offers a GPS system as well, that can be added to their alarms. then if they manage to get away with the car, still not knowing it even had an alarm, you can go online, track them, and show up on their doorstep, shotgun in hand, and a large group of friends standing behind you.

 

good imagination sacs