Considering getting remote car start on my 1997 Nissan Maxima

[coolred]

I am pretty set on avoiding the likes of best buy and circuit city and whatnot, since I have heard some bad stories about them and installations. I am in Columbus, OH if that helps to find me someplace local. I actually just got something in the mail from Ziebart tidy car. Apparently they do remote start installs, not sure how good they are though. We also have columbus car audio, but I don't know if they have remote car starts, or how good of installs they do. My brother in law and his freidns are pretty knowledgeable in the car audio area, and its possible they may know hwo to install it for me, I will have to check with him first though.

My car already has a factory security system, so will this cause extra labor and cost, I think I read someplace that it is usually more expensive if you already have an alarm. And will I then get one key fob that works both the keyless entry/alarm and the remote car start, or will I have my current keyless entry fob and then the remote car start one?

And finally whats a good one to go with? I don't need anything fancy. As stated I already have the keyless entry and alarm, so I basically just need something to start the car, lol.

 

[Remy XO]

DO NOT get a remote start. Everyone I know that has it, including myself, only used it for a few weeks and never touched it again. If you don't get a high end system that costs up to a $1000 the system starts to bug out and fail and some remotes claim to have long range but usually ends up having youself come straight to the door. Complete waste of money if you ask me.

 

[ballmode]

Hmm so the ones you can buy at stores are utter crap?

 

[Remy XO]

Originally posted by: ballmode
Hmm so the ones you can buy at stores are utter crap?

Not sure but if it does work ok, what will you need a for? I remember using it to warm up my car in the morning but that's all. Even after a few weeks I just forgot about it. If someone asked me what was the worst purchase I ever made on my car I would definately say my remote start. You do know you're going to end up spending $400 to $1000 with installation on this right?

 

[Antisocial Virge]

Hello Columbus buddy. I'm kinda in the same boat but I just want keyless entry. Wife has it on her Honda and my truck already has power locks so I imagine it won't be that bad. First place I thought of also was Columbus Car Audio.

 

[coolred]

Well yes I want it to warm up my car in the morning, and maybe get it ready for cool AC in the summer(black car, black leather=hot)what else would you use a remote car start for. I don't see how you can say its so bad. And I will definately not be spending any where near 1000 dollars for it, heck 400 seems high to me.


Hey virge, yeah I know CCA us a great chain, but I just haven't heard much about the quality of thier installs, or if they even did remote car start installs, although I would imagine they do

 

[coolred]

Any other opinions

 

[coolred]

I also am wondering afew more things. With my cirrent keyfob, I can lock/unlock the doors, pop the trunk and even roll down the front windows. If I get a remot ecar start, will I be able to keep all of these features, most notably the rolling down of the windows feature? I am not sure if that is specific to the key fob itself, or if iot just needs a specific code sent to roll down the windows?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Remy XO
DO NOT get a remote start. Everyone I know that has it, including myself, only used it for a few weeks and never touched it again. If you don't get a high end system that costs up to a $1000 the system starts to bug out and fail and some remotes claim to have long range but usually ends up having youself come straight to the door. Complete waste of money if you ask me.

Eh I've been using my remote start for over 6 months now and I love it. I kept the AC on full blast when it was hot in the summer and by the time I got to my car, it was nice and cool. And now I have the heat on full blast so when I get to my car, it's warm and toasty. I haven't had any problems at all and all of my friends who have had a remote start system installed in their cars aren't having any problems.

Don't go to CC or BB though. I went to CC and it was a mistake. Ended up getting a friend of mine to fix the mistakes the CC morons made. Now it works like a dream

 

[deadlyapp]

My friend has a viper alarm with remote start on his mustang.

My friend got it done at best buy, and it ended up being absolutely fine, although it took them a few days to install as they kept putting it off and coming up with excuses.

Is your car manual or automatic? On automatics it is much easier.

Your factory alarm with most likely have to be removed or disabled for the remote start, but I'm not sure. My friends alarm cost him something like 150 at cost, + the install which was another 100 or so.

 

[Slvrtg277]

I have a Viper also. I've had it for almost 4 years now and it hasn't given me any problems at all. I used to use it all the time, but now that my car is garaged at home and work, I don't use it much anymore.

It was great when I parked outside though and I can still easily get 30-50 yds of range with the remote, which is plenty imo.

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: deadlyapp
My friend has a viper alarm with remote start on his mustang.

My friend got it done at best buy, and it ended up being absolutely fine, although it took them a few days to install as they kept putting it off and coming up with excuses.

Is your car manual or automatic? On automatics it is much easier.

Your factory alarm with most likely have to be removed or disabled for the remote start, but I'm not sure. My friends alarm cost him something like 150 at cost, + the install which was another 100 or so.

Theres also the issue of if you have "one of dem fancy fandangled keys with them chips in em" But if you take it to a good installer, they'll handle everything.

 

[Slvrtg277]

Originally posted by: dabuddha

Originally posted by: deadlyapp
My friend has a viper alarm with remote start on his mustang.

My friend got it done at best buy, and it ended up being absolutely fine, although it took them a few days to install as they kept putting it off and coming up with excuses.

Is your car manual or automatic? On automatics it is much easier.

Your factory alarm with most likely have to be removed or disabled for the remote start, but I'm not sure. My friends alarm cost him something like 150 at cost, + the install which was another 100 or so.

Theres also the issue of if you have "one of dem fancy fandangled keys with them chips in em" But if you take it to a good installer, they'll handle everything.

Ah yes, the key issue. If you have a chipped key, you will have to provide the installers with a spare key, complete with chip. They will put it inline so that the signal from the key is received when you remote start the car.

Word of advice: Get it so that you have to press 2 buttons at once and hold them for a sec on your remote to start the car to eliminate accidental starting.

 

[coolred]

I have an automatic tranny, and I don't think I have a chipped key.

 

[Ornery]

I had the Viper 130XV installed in my wife, and son's cars last year. It was installed by a reputable installer who did the job right.

These units:

• Have tremendous range.
• Will not allow the starter to spin while car is running.
• Are fully customizable for duration of cranking, and run time.
• Get used twice everyday the car is driven, all winter.
• Can be transfered to your next car.

I won't do without one ever again!

 

[dabuddha]

I got the 881XP and I love it.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Remy XO
DO NOT get a remote start. Everyone I know that has it, including myself, only used it for a few weeks and never touched it again. If you don't get a high end system that costs up to a $1000 the system starts to bug out and fail and some remotes claim to have long range but usually ends up having youself come straight to the door. Complete waste of money if you ask me.

Thats funny, I had a cheap one on the Jeep and it worked fine. Never failed once and used it quite often.

 

[woowoo]

At my house, I am the remote start....

 

[mcvickj]

When I purchased my 97 Taurus it already had a remote car start installed. The previous owner had a DEI Your Valet system installed at Best Buy. This thing is awesome. It gets used the most during the hot summer months and during the winter months. I've never had one problem with it. It requires me pressing and holding two buttons for a second or two to start the car. I also have the OEM FOB that came with the car that locks and un locks the car. It also opens the trunk and has a panic button. Both work together with no problems. I can also unlock and lock my car with the DEI FOB.

I've been so happy with the remote starter that I will never own a car without one.

 

[randomlinh]

I had one on my 95 camry By hornet. I didn't even know it was remote start when I bought the car. I would guess the previous owner didn't either (I was 3rd or 4th owner). One day while carrying too much, I tried to unlock my doors and then started my car from about 25 yards away

With that said, I have no idea how good "hornet" is as a brand, but what I had worked great. The novelty never wore off on me. But yes, clear line of sight would be best to have (i did a start at about 70 yards or so, direct clear, no other metal obstructions). It actually had better range than my keyless entry for my 3 now I think. But w/ all that said, it is really a novelty, IMO.

I startled a cop once.. he drove slowly by my car as I was starting it from a distance.. he backed up, and sat there watching my car.. haha.

 

[Ornery]

1. So, did you cheap out, or what?