Remote car starter question

[Lisa L from MI]

Anybody have one?? I was thinking about getting one for my truck now that we are buying it and also since I am working everyday as well as driving Morgan to school.

Anyway, DH just called from work to say a place around there is giving him a "deal" at 205 installed. The guy said since we have a key with a "chip" in it and they gave to make a duplicate one for the starter thing that it would normally be 270?? Does that sound like a good deal?? I know I can call around but I really just don't feel like it at the moment and thought I would ask you guys your opinions.....

It's a 2002 Dodge Quad cab too if that matters....

thanks
Lisa

 

[mtblujeans]

.....and what about those kits that you can install yourself? Are they complicated? Are they the same thing the professional shops install??

 

[Lisa L from MI]

.....and what about those kits that you can install yourself? Are they complicated? Are they the same thing the professional shops install??

I don't know about those...good question....I would like to know if anyone attempted those. DH isn't too mechanically inclined when it comes to that kinda stuff though.

 

[jedi_librarian]

If that includes installation, it's probably not a bad deal. The systems themselves seem to go from $60-$300. If it includes alarm, that's an even better deal. I don't think you'd want to install it yourself. My dad tried it once. Not good.

 

[mtblujeans]

I don't know about those...good question....I would like to know if anyone attempted those. DH isn't too mechanically inclined when it comes to that kinda stuff though.

Yeah, my DH isn't so mechanically inclined, either! I have more luck at that stuff than he does. I saw some kits at Target, I think it was, and they seemed so cheap!! I wondered what the difference is between them and what professionals install. I am still a little nervous about the idea of splicing wires on the every-day-car myself, tho'!

 

[Cantw8]

I have one and I love it in the winter. I just click the romote chip at the window and 10-15 minutes later, no ice or snow to scrap off I got mine for Christmas about three years ago. I have a 2002 Santa Fe, I think it cost around $100...that was a Christmas special. The only thing you have to remember is to make sure when you get out of the vehicle, you have your defrosters/heater turned all the way up. I have forgotten a few times and jumped into a still cold car with ice on the windshield

 

[mtblujeans]

If that includes installation, it's probably not a bad deal. The systems themselves seem to go from $60-$300. If it includes alarm, that's an even better deal. I don't think you'd want to install it yourself. My dad tried it once. Not good.

Seems to be a little trauma involved when they don't get it right, doesn't there!??

 

[Lisa L from MI]

If that includes installation, it's probably not a bad deal. The systems themselves seem to go from $60-$300. If it includes alarm, that's an even better deal. I don't think you'd want to install it yourself. My dad tried it once. Not good.

I don't think it includes an alarm but the particular key we have has a "chip" in it that is "kinda" like a "kill switch" I guess....you need that key to keep it started otherwise it will stall within a few seconds. I learned that a year or so ago when my truck was attempted to be stolen. They tore my ignition apart and used a screwdriver or something to start it...and it went just a few feet from the parking space. So, I think it is something to do with that special key they need to duplicate.

I don't think I would even let DH attempt to do it himself though!!

 

[jedi_librarian]

I don't think it includes an alarm but the particular key we have has a "chip" in it that is "kinda" like a "kill switch" I guess....you need that key to keep it started otherwise it will stall within a few seconds. I learned that a year or so ago when my truck was attempted to be stolen. They tore my ignition apart and used a screwdriver or something to start it...and it went just a few feet from the parking space. So, I think it is something to do with that special key they need to duplicate.

I don't think I would even let DH attempt to do it himself though!!

Yeah, when you're messing with the starter and electrical work, you don't wanna make a wrong "cut" unless you really know what you're doing. I wouldn't let my DH do it for anything. Then again, he'd probably never volunteer, either.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

An off topic question...why is the times on my posts off by an hour???

oops...forget it...now I just looked and it is right...strange

 

[ckret01]

I've had 3 cars/trucks/suv's with the past 10 years and every one had an automatic car starter. They didnt come with them I had to buy it and have it installed. I have a 2004 jeep cherokee now and got it installed last year. It cost me around $150 for evrything. I too had to get an extra key made b/c they had to take one of my keys and put it in the starter.

Honestly I woudl still pay the price you were quoted b/c this is the best invention ever and once you have it you will wonder why you never had it before.

 

[mudnuri]

Make sure for that price they can intregate it into your original keyless remote


My XMIL had one installed in her Deville last year for christmas from us kids, and when I went to pick it up- they had 2 remotes hanging. Um no way is that gonna work- they had to unistall that one and put a different one in that would work with her original remote.

The only vehicles I've had without them are the Passat, the X's Duramax, and my K5. The passat and K5's because they're 5speeds, and the Duramax because its a diesel.

We usually paid about 250 a car/truck to have them installed. Even though the X and I are both very mechanically inclined, this is not something we wanted to mess with.

Brady

 

[HOGFAN]

Have it professionally installed. Our neighbor did his own. It also activates his car alarm. So every morning at 7:15 he wakes up the whole neighborhood.

 

[DebbieB]

You may want to check with your car dealer. When I bought my Toyota Camry, I asked the service dept manager about installing one. He said that since I had a factory alarm system, it would not work unless they redid the alarm system.

 

[mudnuri]

You may want to check with your car dealer. When I bought my Toyota Camry, I asked the service dept manager about installing one. He said that since I had a factory alarm system, it would not work unless they redid the alarm system.

thats what i mean about intregating it into your original remote. Every vehicle we have installed one on, has a factory installed alarm.......

Brandy

 

[chell]

Thanks for this thread. It has helped me move closer to deciding on getting one. I had no idea what the normal cost was because I haven't started pricing yet so this really does help.

 

[Disney Doll]

We had one installed in my Ford Explorer last year. DH got it for me because my car is older, so he gets the garage.

I love it. If you remember to start it about 5-10 minutes before you leave, the car is nice & toasty when you get out there.

We had it installed by a car electronics company...alarms, stereos, remote starters...they did it all!!! Cost around $200 as I recall.

 

[DMRick]

Our appointment for the new car is in a week. I really miss it. My sil bought my old car and loves the one in it. We have a wonderful installer in our area, and any time you have any problem (like when I got a new battery or other car repairs, if it doesn't work when they are done) he gets it going again at no charge.

They will use our valet key for the chip to save us some money. It will be $239 installed, and that's just car starting and locks. There are cheaper places, but everyone I know who has used the cheaper person has had regrets.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

Thanks for this thread. It has helped me move closer to deciding on getting one. I had no idea what the normal cost was because I haven't started pricing yet so this really does help.

I just can't wait to get mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mommaU4]

I don't know the mechanical ins and outs of it all. I do know that DH got one about 3 weeks ago after wanting one for a year, and he loves, loves, loves it! But as a previous poster mentioned, at night don't foget to turn on the heat and defroster or you'll still freeze in the a.m.