Is an alarm necessary?

[MikesToy]

No one pays attention when a car alarm goes off nowadays. I only pay attention if it's mine going off. lol If anything happens to my truck, then my insurance co will pay for it. Anyways, there's nothing worth stealing inside my 4R unless they want the whole SUV. If they take my ride, hope they take good care of it. haha... But if they want the stereo, they better know it takes time and effort to get to it. If they want my cd's, hope they like my music taste. If they want my radar detector, it ain't gonna work if they just yank it out b/c it's hard-wired. What else? My jack, tirings, weathertech liners, cargo net, and my loose change? lol :lmao:

 

[Cape 4RUNNER]

Anyways, there's nothing worth stealing inside my 4R unless they want the whole SUV. If they take my ride, hope they take good care of it. haha... But if they want the stereo, they better know it takes time and effort to get to it. If they want my cd's, hope they like my music taste. If they want my radar detector, it ain't gonna work if they just yank it out b/c it's hard-wired. What else? My jack, tirings, weathertech liners, cargo net, and my loose change? lol :lmao:

:cheers: Now THATS the attitude to have! Better have the most comprehensive insurance under the sun with that approach LOL

 

[juiceboxer]

If my runner was stock I would probably have kept the factory alarm. I have too many expensive goodies inside that aren't insured so i have to protect them myself.:xnuts::cannon:

 

[Mr. Banks]

Car alarms?

I purchased my 4runner in Portland, Oregon. The neighborhood I grew up in was probably one of the better places to live anywhere. That means its a prime target for other people to venture to and they did. We had a POS Plymouth Grand Voyager that couldn't even play cassette. (step dad was cheap). That thing got stolen more times than I can count. It had nothing of value in it. Dad's dirty clothes, some baby toys, and on occasion golf clubs. Dad only made that mistake once. They would take the van, use it for a week and dump it, and the police would find it and we'd get it back more ghetto than ever. Now my brother gets his Jordan's stolen out of his Focus. Even with locked doors, they just break windows in the night.

What I'm getting at is even if you don't have expensive gear in your car, its the area that matters. I knew I'd be moving to San Diego so I went all out on the security. Car alarm, LoJack, VIN etched windows (great idea BTW).

About the autostart; I use it all the time. You turn on your car early to get the AC or heater + heated seats + defroster roaring. When you activate it the car remains locked. Good or bad person, still has to put the key in and shift. Can't do that without hitting the break which kills the starter if the key isn't in and switched from start mode.

So yeah, LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION. Even if you have a POS don't leave stuff out for someone else to see. Double Decker cargo system, ehh? Locks keep honest people honest. Crapy cars still get broken into. Know your area. LoJack should be a requirement in the state of California. Worried about the whole car? VIN etched windows. Car alarms don't scare people off, it lets the Marine know when to grab his .357 Magnum.

 

[s-one]

:iagree:

I ended up with a Viper 5901. Even if a little part of me says it's for peace of mind a HUGE part of me likes the convience factor of the remote start just as Mr Bank stated. We're in 110 heat right now and I can't even say how much I love this remote start!

 

[eskimochaos]

No one pays attention when a car alarm goes off nowadays. I only pay attention if it's mine going off. lol If anything happens to my truck, then my insurance co will pay for it. Anyways, there's nothing worth stealing inside my 4R unless they want the whole SUV. If they take my ride, hope they take good care of it. haha... But if they want the stereo, they better know it takes time and effort to get to it. If they want my cd's, hope they like my music taste. If they want my radar detector, it ain't gonna work if they just yank it out b/c it's hard-wired. What else? My jack, tirings, weathertech liners, cargo net, and my loose change? lol :lmao:

I respectfully disagree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57W5VZMIHu0

 

[juiceboxer]

I have the option of hooking my Train horns up to my alarm horn output. If anyone is under or around the car when it goes off, instant 162dB's of sound:runaway: I usualy don't leave this enabled but if I am going to be out of town or more than about 500 ft from the car, the mile radius of my 5901 is nice but you can only run so far.

 

[Uneek]

Yes, if you want to be notified that your vehicle is being violated.

For all else, I'd say no. If a theif is determined, they'll get what they want. If they can't get it, what's to stop them from taking your vehicle at gun point when you return. The 4th gen has an immobilizer to keep it from being hotwired. Alarm or not, if something is left in plain sight, the theif will doing a smash and grab. Several of our customers at my old job, park their cars outside, they either left their portable navigation or bag out, within minutes broken windows and missing personal property. Even an unmarked police car got broken into. Besides if the alarm keeps going off and the neighbors where its parked complains, it'll just get towed for being a disturbance. The investment for an alarm just cost more money.

My 4Runner is bone stock, so it's a dime a dozen 4Runner. No more and no less attractive than the next 4th gen. I have nothing inside worth taking. If they really wanted it, they can have it. The 4Runner is not worth risking injury or life over. I hope they hold on to it for more than 30 days before they dump it back on the streets.

 

[mistaj0hnny]

Just had my 5901 installed! :bigok:
Awesome alarm. Got it for $500 +taxes installed, good deal?
Good stuff nonetheless, well worth it for peace of mind!