Is third party alarm system really ok?

[sleemie]

I've got a 2008 charger with the key fob thing where the car won't start without that key being at the car.

My dilemma is that I'm moving to the Houston area and from reading the apartment reviews it sounds like every place has problems with car theft or break ins, and right now my car has NO alarm because chrysler/mopar hasn't even made one available yet. Even so, it would just be a basic alarm and not really that much of a deterrent. But as far as the vipers and all that stuff, I've heard that there can be some issues with installing them in the chargers and 300s, so I've been very hesitant to do that. Someone at a chrysler dealer told me that the places that install these systems will take your factory key fob and secure it under your dash so that it's ALWAYS there, totally defeating the whole purpose of that security feature. I can't see doing that. I don't care about the remote start, which I've heard tends to make things more complicated. I've got the 20 inch chrome rims on this thing and it stands out, I know it's gonna be a target. I've got a lo-jack already in it, and with the key fob thing where it won't start without it, i'm actually more concerned about break-ins and stealing my rims than I am about them stealing the whole car.

Any ideas/suggestions what I should do? I hope you don't tell me I need a $700 viper or something cuz I can't afford that and I can't see needing that fancy a system.

[LRBaLLa00]

There's a XK-532 bypass module that's available... You will need both keys to program it, but you won't have to leave a key under the dash. I have a Clifford AvantGuard 5.1, and it's worked perfectly.

[HKLEVI]

There are dealers that take the short cut and box a spare key under the dash, but there are correct parts that keep the sentry system operational with the alarm. I have a viper and do not have a key under the dash. Do some checking around and ask how the place does their installs.

[LoneStar]

I feel for you. You sure you want to move to Houston? Ever since the hurricane forced the trash out of New Orleans and in to Houston it has become one of my least desirable places to live.

[HKLEVI]

I feel for you. You sure you want to move to Houston? Ever since the hurricane forced the trash out of New Orleans and in to Houston it has become one of my least desirable places to live.
X2 :sad:

[GLHS837]

Yep, properly implemented, its fine.

[TX-SRT8]

Yeah i work at a car audio shop in Texas and i have a Viper 5900 2-way remote start/alarm on my SRT8, i used the PKU-CH2X interface module, it needs both keys to copy the transponder code but you get them back and it integrates 100% with the canbus system, if you are serious about getting one you are going to spend at least 250.00 on the alarm 100.00 on the bypass and if your worried about your rims then you are going to need the tilt sensor which is 75.00, the alarm i have sales for 700.00 installed on a charger

[sleemie]

Funny you mention the Katrina thing cuz I'm so pissed at those f---ers cuz it's making my move down there such an issue in terms of finding an apartment that's safe and worrying about my car, especially my rims. They need to take all the ones who are commiting the crimes, send them back to new orleans and then reflood the place with them in it.

The reason i'm moving, though, is my ex moved down there with my 12 yr old son and I feel like if he has to suffer through that I can be there to go through it with him, and also help him to get through dealing with it. I do plan on getting a piece when I get down there, and possibly a permit to carry it. I don't like the idea of ever having to use it one someone, but if I ever end up in a situation where it would protect me or my kids, then I'd have to do what I've gotta do, as long as I do it legally.

[merkurman]

Depending on where you are living.. I am from there and I am moving back there after my computer mfg. decided to lay off a few thousand people again..The company is not as stable as people think...And I hate watching good folks go out the door and know that next week we will "have to do more with less"......

Anyway, I am using the Viper 330v which uses the dock lock/unlock feature to arm and disarm the alarm. It also came with a shock sensor and I bought a sensor to detect angles like if someone starts to jack up the car... I didn't want remote start either and saw no need for it in my case so this alarm worked for me...And I didn't want another key fob what with the HUGE Dodge fob that starts the car..

[pikapp]

Your dealer CAN install an alarm on your car, which will also integrate with your sentry key. They will also add a new button to your sentry key to arm and disarm it, and you wont have any problems with the ignition kill already installed.

P.S., if you have the popular equipment group, then your car DOES have a basic factory alarm installed. The only thing it doesn't have is a shock or proximity sensor which you can get on your aftermarket alarm. But it does have an alarm which sounds the horn if the doors are forced open.