Car Alarm

[Neurorelay]

So I have a 2005 Toyota Celica GT, with about $1500 in audio, and some upgrades to the car like rims and itnt. Now the question is, should I put a car alarm on it. Right now it has remote entry and panic button, would something better be a good idea? I live in a rural area right now and it is not a concern here, however where I work is in the city (elementary school); should I go for it?

Thoughts: alot of alarms going off are false, most people don't do a thing about it when they hear it, doesn't prevent damage in the first place.

So that is where I am at the moment.

 

[Sqube]

Cons - Everyone ignores them now, since they go off all the damn time.

You can put one if you want to, but if somebody just hears the alarm, they're not going to investigate it.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Better safe than sorry. If you get one, get one with a starter disable circuit. At least it'll save your car from getting jacked even if your audio equipment gets stolen.

 

[AMDZen]

A regular alarm is almost entirely worthless.

However, get one with a two-way radio remote and thats a whole other story.

I have the Clifford (DEI) Alarm with this and its awesome. It lets me know with beeps if the car gets bumped (warning) and if the alarm goes off. It even tells me which door was opened or if it was the trunk. And it works up to about 1/4 mile away. Pretty much any where I go, my house, any friends house, restaurant or most anywhere else - I'm going to be in range to know whats going on.

The other side of this is - if someone is breaking into your car, what are you really going to do? I have a long story about this and my alarm, but its really too long to type out right now. I'll just say, that if when you do hear your alarm go off in your pocket, you might be better off letting your stereo get stolen, or at least try and just scare the thieves/would be thieves away. Rather then trying to play hero, its possible you can get yourself killed or at least in serious trouble.

 

[Kelemvor]

No one cares about car alarms any more. I can't remember the last time one went off and I even bothered to look at it. Unless you are hearby and have one that pages your or something like that, I woudln't bother.

 

[mzkhadir]

people will hate you when the alarm goes off at night time or some ungodly hour.

 

[xospec1alk]

no just get lojack or something

 

[KingPhil]

Car alarm with aftermarket power locks saved my car from getting stolen.

I heard it go off at 2am..... I get up, look out the window, dont see anything..... I go back to bed.

At 4am I get a call from the police saying my car was broken into.

The 2nd time, a neighbor was getting back from work early around 3:30am.... she heard my alarm go off, looked out the window and saw some hood rats with the hood open trying to turn off the alarm. She started screaming at them and they took off into the park. She called 911 for me.

If it wasn't for the alarm, the cop said they 1st brake the small little vent window in the back so when the steal the car to drive around with, it won't be as obvious. When that didnt work for them, they broke my drivers window.

Because I had tint, it was hard for them to reach in the glass. Because I had the aftermarket power locks, they couldnt get them to open with out the remote

They never even got in the car

Car alarm = good

 

[lastig21]

Pros: The flashing led/warning chirps may keep theives from ever breaking into your car. If I am in hearing distance, I could call the cops or try to scare the thieves away.

Cons: It can be expensive, ineffective, and annoying with false alarms. An alarm won't keep theives away that specifically want your car or something out of your car. It should stop crooks looking for any easy target.