Remote Car Starter

[Brent]

Hey, I just bought 2 remote car starters for my parents. I am just wondering if they are fairly easy to install or will I need to take it somewhere? CT wants 109 to install one!

Thanks

[Steve]

they are not easy to install, take to a professional or someone that has done one before.

[grs7]

If the cars are 2001 or newer, you will also need the box to fool the factory security sysmtem into thinking there is a key in the ignition.

Box cost $80.00 to $100.00 plus installation.

Average price for an installed remote car starter on a 2001 or newer car is around $400.00 plus taxes.

[MSE OP]

also don't go with the cheapest quote as the workmanship could be poor and over time the wires will come loose and it won't work right

[Hertz_Donut]

I have the pro-start car starter from CT - had them install it. Haven't had a problem with it other then the battery in the fob getting weaker. I found the guy that installed it - at CT was very good. He even showed me the correct use of it.

I do remember paying more for it then what your quote - but I also had the power locks hooked up to it.

If I remember right - not all CT install them. The only reason I got it done at CT was my parent had their's done there - and haven't had problems.

You may also want to find out how long the waiting list is before you can get your car(s).

[Brent]

Hmmm... Alright thanks for the help.

[Dr.Dan]

CTC isn't my first choice to get one installed... they usually aren't trained properly to install these in anything other than a basic install.

I would check around your city and see who installs the most of these and has been doing it for a long time... and they'll have a 'Lifetime Installation Warranty' too.

[masher]

bought mine at future shop a few years ago I bought a viper remote starter. they did a great install
only problem was the fuse went on it once and had to repace a battery in the fob as well

not bad for a 4 year old model

[hbk2k1]

I'm an installer and that's my job for the most part, especially in the winter....lol.....We do the installation for CT. If you're interested, pm me...

BTW, prices are based on features required...ie. locks/trunk+start is more expensive. And if the cars are relatively new, you would indeed need a transponder for security...

[Thaiwoo]

I'm on the third car with a starter. had all of them installed by Custom Auto Radio in Whitby. Not the cheapest maybe but very professional.

http://www.custone.com/car/about_us.asp

Well worth to pay for installation unless you know what you're doing.

[hbk2k1]

That's us, i'm one of them...;)

[Carz n Compz]

Just curious. How does a remote starter work on a manual transmission car? Since the clutch has to be depressed in order to start it is there some by-pass that the starter uses? I know I have seen starters for manual tranmission cars before.

[Mr. Apollo]

Just curious. How does a remote starter work on a manual transmission car? Since the clutch has to be depressed in order to start it is there some by-pass that the starter uses? I know I have seen starters for manual tranmission cars before.
You have to leave the car in neutral. There's a sensor to make sure the emergancy brake is on and the car is in neutral.

Those things have insane markups. I bought a $600 Clifford RSX 3.5 for $100 with my employee discount.

[Dr.Dan]

$600 is way over price... unless that includes install.
Normal retail should be between $300 to $350 + install

You got a he!! of a deal if you got it for only $100... unit cost on that is well over that... closer to $200. :)

[hbk2k1]

Well, with the manual transmission cars, there's only a few models of remote starters to choose from...
As mentioned above, you have to make sure the car's left in Neutral, the handbrake is engaged, and depending on the model, there's a few techniques that take effect.

As for the clutch, they can be tricky at first and a headache, but for the most part, the starter wire is hooked to the clutch wire...depending on the type of vehicle, that are various things to do to get it going;)

As for the $600 price markup, depending on the model, retail price on the higher end remote starters sell for about $400-$500+install....again, depending on what you want and if you want the best, mind you they all primarily function the same way. The higher end remote starters have pagers, a little animation that shows a picture of the car with it's functions...eg. if u start the car, you can see smoke coming out of the exhaust...etc...little things like that.
Cheap ones retail probably for about $200 or so installed, depending on the features....honestly, i don't know the price, i just do the work...;)

[Mr. Apollo]

$600 is way over price... unless that includes install.
Normal retail should be between $300 to $350 + install

You got a he!! of a deal if you got it for only $100... unit cost on that is well over that... closer to $200. :)
The RSX 3.5 is a alarm/starter combo. I've always seen it at $599.99. The $100 price is nothing special either. It's available to all employees at that price. Employees in the car audio department can actually get it for $80 direct from the manufacturer.

I can get a simple Command Start car starter with keyless entry for $30 that's regularly $150.