As I put more and more stuff onto my car, I think that I will need an alarm for security. However, I'm not sure if it's worth it. I'm sure you guys noticed that when you hear an alarm going off, what do most of you do? You just ignore it, right? That's what I'm thinking. However, saying that, I guess an alarm is better than no alarm, right? So, what you guys think? Is it worth getting an alarm? Right now, I only have the rather weak factory alarm and an Autolock device. So, should I get an alarm or spend my money elsewhere?

 

Every little bit helps... You would be surprised how many of my old customers came to me for an alarm AFTER they had there car stolen or broken into.

It's no guarantee but if it slows them down an extra 2 minutes ... that will be enough.

I've already had 2 cars that I did where they broke into the car but didn't have enough time to finish the job...

My advice... if your daring... NO VALET switch (at least out in the open ... just make sure the installer is good or you'll be sorry.

 

dude, screw alarm you don't need it, as you said, when people hear an alarm they ignore it, it's really a waste of money, unless you get one of those things offered in africa where if somebody tries to get in your car flames go off from underneath and burn them , otherwise be happy w/ factory alarm which cuts the ignition off if someobody breaks a window and opens the door from the inside, try to do it

get in your car, use remote to lock it, wait for the light to start blinking, 30 sec, and then unlock the door manually from the inside, the alarm will go off and then try to start the car with the key, you can't, you'll have to deactivate the alarm first

that's good enough

Konstantin

P.S. unless you install something that will pretty much make them deaf, A REALLY REALLY painful alarm, then it's cool

 

The point of an alarm is to provide a means to deter the thieves from going after your car in the first place. It's not that the alarm will prevent the thief if he really wanted to jack your stuff but hopefully it will move the thief on to another vehicle that does not have an alarm so the robbery will be more stealthy and quick for him. Our factory alarms are actually pretty good and along with the Autolock, it'll be difficult for the car to be stolen. However, the factory unit doesn't have a shock sensor so if someone's trying to take your wheels, break your windows, or even bump you while your car's in the parking lot, it would occur w/o any resistance. True, no one really gives about an alarm going off nowadays but when you're near, it still attracts attention and turns heads. If you're within proximity, you might even be able to make a call and do something before the thief gets away with the crime. All in all, if you find a good deal and a good installer, I think it's worth getting.

Sorry so long, just my .02.

 

I always recommend an aftermarket security system. The problem with stock alarms is that they are all the same. Anybody with a shop manual can see how to defeat the factory system easily. With aftermarket stuff, it is a custom installation that, if done well, would take a long time to figure out, especially if it's a layered security system with multiple sirens and a backup battery, all hidden. The main thing is the initial deterence. I've always had security systems in my cars and have never had them broken into. Even when I used to go downtown every night, there were no problems, even when my friend's crappy old car next to mine had his window shattered. The two blinking red lights really go a long way to make a thief think twice about wanting to mess with my car when they can just steal the unprotected car next to it.

 

My car was stolen with the factory alarm armed. Rims and Stereo were stolen plus 2k miles was added to my car. If I had that Autolok device on it would have saved 2k miles for sure but I don't know how desperate they were for the rims and Stereo. I currently have a aftermarket alarm now.

 

I heard that there is a device that hooks onto your steering wheel and when armed it's dangerous cause it will shock you like a stun gun.

 

I personally like the alarm they had at the beginning of the movie ROBOCOP... no mess...hehe

 

Thanks for the input guys. After thinking about it, I might just get an alarm. Just for the cool chirp chirp sound. I don't want to get an alarm like my sister has on her Accord. It's by Code Alarm and it's just too freaking sensitive. When I start my car, my car is parked next to her's, her alarm would chirp. I'm not getting an alarm now, maybe later on.

 

For those that had their wheels stolen, did you have a lock bolt and the key not in the car or hidden?

 

what is this "Autolok device"?

A friend of mine with a Sentra
used to disconnect something in his trunk
so the car wouldn't start
- this was a quite a while ago now
don't remember what it was exactly.
A bit of a PITA but beats having it stolen.
Wouldn't prevent break-in though.

He also had a 2002 w/ a 320 engine stuffed in it.
On that one he had a kill switch hidden in the glovebox.

I wouldn't want the robocop thing.
I'd like some kind of superglue shooter
that would keep them stuck to the car.
Then, when I got back I could beat the crap out of them
and take my time doing it.
Or maybe I'd just get in and drive off
and see how fast they could run...

 

The Autolock is great. It's this contraption that you slide onto your brake pedal that prevents a person from depressing the pedal so you can't put the car into gear. Although no anti-theft device is foolproof, this one looks pretty sturdy and it'll take forever for someone to cut the metal and break it loose. If you want to know more, look for the infomercial on late-night TV. They've got "reformed car thieves" as participants...it's actually pretty entertaining.

 

Oh, those things...
Well, anything that slows them down is good.
Or just looking in and seeing it might make them go to the next car.

But if they want your car, they don't have to cut the autolock
- they just cut through your steering wheel.
It's only a bit of plastic with a thin piece of metal inside.

 

Ahh...that's where you're mistaken. I think you're talking about the Club. Without this turning into an unpaid advertisement, the Autolock locks around the shaft of the brake pedal so pretty much everything, including the device, if very difficult to cut. Adding to the difficulty is that the thief will probably have to bend down and reach in from outside the car due to the awkward positioning which then attracts attention pretty easily whereas with the Club, you can just get in the car, close the door, and take your time to saw the steering wheel. This is the reason why I think the Autolock's concept is useful.

 

i don't think any lock is fullproof. Not when you have liquid nitrogen and a chisel + hammer.

 

Of course it is worth it.When I was a young punk me and my freinds would not break into cars that had alarms.Because we didnt want to attract attention.To what we were doing.

 

Agreed. However, it's so much easier to go for a car that you can jack without carrying all that gear and making all that racket so yes, the deterrence value is pretty high.

 

Hell ya! And if it is a proffesional car theif they will get your car no matter what.But how many punk kids do you know that go around town with all that equipment on them.

 

if you like your car and want to keep it put the alarm on and a club and a multi-lock. the more the better.