i was wondering how much you guys paid? I just bought a viper 550 remote start alarm system and tweeter wanted $310 to install the dam thing.

 

That's sounds about right. I believe that type of alarm retails around $199 or so, and labor around $100.00. The more complex and hardware needed for the installation, the more labor involved. If you know the electrical system in your car, though, you'll save yourself more money if you do it yourself. Plus, you don't have to worry about someone else possbibly ruining something to your car.

 

I bought the alarm, they want $310 just to install it

 

The store I work at sells the Viper 550 piece for 449 installed. That includes shock/flash/starter kill/keyless/and remote start. Our labor is 40/hour and it is a 4-5 hour job(175ish for you math wizards). 310 seems a little steep, but if you didnt buy the alarm from them, they gotta make their money somewhere. I would check an independent Viper dealer first; they should most definitely be less than 310 bucks. Hope this helps..


Warbucks

 

I installed mine myself. Here's a breakdown:

Viper 800 ESP Alarm = $175
Valet 551T Remote Start = $166
DEI 555U Transponder = $35
DEI 530T Window Unit (Front) = $70
DEI 530T Window Unit (Rear) = $70
DEI Invisibeam Field Sensor = $90
DEI Dual-Stage Shock Sensor (Extra) = $20
DEI Back-up Battery = $49
Misc Parts = $40
Cost Of Labor = Free
The Experience/Satisfaction/Frustration of Doing-It-Yourself = Priceless

(Misc Parts needed were extra relays, lots of extra wire, spade connectors, 3M taps, electrical tape, diodes, fuses, etc)

The aftermath of it all:
1) The system has all doors, hood, and trunk protected via pin switches.
2) The interior cabin is protected by a motion sensor.
3) The entire car is protected by 2 shock sensors strategically located.
4) All windows are auto-up and auto-down from all controllers.
5) The system is powered by a backup battery.
6) The car has a remote start (on a manual).
7) The system only activates the key transponder during remote start.
8) The trunk can be remotely opened.
9) The factory alarm remains functional. It is also armed/disarmed by using the aftermarket remotes (arms when Viper arms, disarms when Viper disarms).
10) The radio stays powered after turning off the car. It turns off once all doors have been closed (after any one door was opened).

Still in progress:
1) Hooking up the remote start to check the gears on the manual transmission.
2) Tapping the sunroof to open/close remotely
3) Hooking up the power seats to adjust (if needed) when the car is disarmed. This will be remote specific (remote 1 will use setting 1, and remote 2 will use setting 2).

 

OMG hahahah LMAO!!! 310 dollars to install the dam alarm?! OMG, bro, i went to Pearl96Max and he was running a group deal for this alarm and paid 300 INSTALLED! that was for the alarm and installation, jesus christ, i knew Don was cheaper than all other stores but didn't know the difference was THAT big. If u live in northeast, i STRONGLY recommend going to him. He's an authorized dealer (meaning your alarm will have lifetime warranty vs those that buy it on ebay or those that install it themselves that are not authorized dealer or go places that aren't either). The group deal is over but you can get it for 350 dollars installed from him. He has a maxima, he's done it on hundreds of cars, let alone maxima's. I have it on my dad's 98 Mazda MPV and it works like a charm. Don't cheat yourself out of a great deal and great service...

 

Makattack,
I understand your frustration.
I paid $370 to to have all features installed at Stereo Warehouse in Seattle. For more info, read this thread
You can also PM me with questions.