No Alarm :(

[adoihcj]

Okay, here's my first real complaint - only took me 1,900 miles to figure this out.

You would think that a vehicle with a sticker of almost $34,000 would have an alarm system. Of course the vehicle has the immobilizer as well as a panic button on the key fob. However, there's no alarm system. I guess it's optional in the SR5 but never noticed it before.

Knowing that someone can break a window and open a door (or open the hood) without an alarm going off is upsetting.

 

[toto]

The 4th Gen was the same way... you had to have a Limited to get the "theft deterrent" features like you describe.

I'm sure that many people will recommend various aftermarket alarms. The one nice thing about the Toyota VIP alarm system is that it's plug-and-play with existing wiring - no cutting or splicing.

 

[adoihcj]

The 4th Gen was the same way... you had to have a Limited to get the "theft deterrent" features like you describe.

I'm sure that many people will recommend various aftermarket alarms. The one nice thing about the Toyota VIP alarm system is that it's plug-and-play with existing wiring - no cutting or splicing.

How can a car have a panic alarm, but no theft alarm? That's what confusing to me.

 

[westwind77]

Okay, here's my first real complaint - only took me 1,900 miles to figure this out.

You would think that a vehicle with a sticker of almost $34,000 would have an alarm system. Of course the vehicle has the immobilizer as well as a panic button on the key fob. However, there's no alarm system. I guess it's optional in the SR5 but never noticed it before.

Knowing that someone can break a window and open a door (or open the hood) without an alarm going off is upsetting.

I figured it would have the basic alarm.... if your car was locked and window open and someone reached in and tried to open the door the horn would beep on & off. Wow, might have to look into a real alarm if it does not even have that feature!

 

[adoihcj]

I figured it would have the basic alarm.... if your car was locked and window open and someone reached in and tried to open the door the horn would beep on & off. Wow, might have to look into a real alarm if it does not even have that feature!

Exactly. I'm shocked at this. My '99 New VW Jetta GL even has a frickin alarm and that car doesn't even have power windows!

 

[toto]

How can a car have a panic alarm, but no theft alarm? That's what confusing to me.

It's just a less-expensive computer module that's connecting the keyless entry to the power door locks and the main body computer. One version of it only has the panic button feature, and another version has more intelligence. You can't just swap one part to cure this, though. The VIP alarm system comes with a computer box and a wiring harness specific to your vehicle, so the wiring is also a little different.

I agree, it's nuts for a $30K+ vehicle to cut corners like that. That's one way in which Toyota differentiates the various trim levels. Some of the differences boil down to which computer modules are installed. I would think that Toyota could ultimately save money by standardizing computer modules across all models that support a certain set of features that people want. I understand that the cost increases as the module gets smarter, but you also have the cost of designing, building, and stocking many different modules that have similar functions.

 

[qs933]

I would agree that it seems like it'd be better to standardize on some of these features across the model line-up versus building two different components. With the 4th Gen, it didn't seem to make sense to have a separate $40 option for the DRLs -- why not make them standard and not have to build some with and some without?

OTOH, the lack of an alarm on the SR5 shouldn't be a huge surprise, right? The alarm is listed as a factory option for the SR5.

 

[mikeync]

Car alarms are not standard just because it is a $30K+ vehicle.

My Acura TL -- $35K - no alarm (2004 model)
My Nissan Armada - $40K + - no alarm (2008 model)

It is fairly standard not to have an alarm

 

[adoihcj]

Car alarms are not standard just because it is a $30K+ vehicle.

My Acura TL -- $35K - no alarm (2004 model)
My Nissan Armada - $40K + - no alarm (2008 model)

It is fairly standard not to have an alarm

Understand, but why have a panic alarm if there's no theft deterrant alarm? I saw the earlier post where someone said it's a different module, and understand that as well, but I feel Toyota flew below the radar with that one.

Just wanted other people to know that just because you have a panic button and immobilizer with a flashing "security" symbol doesn't mean you have the alarm.

 

[mikeync]

I understand and sorry should have said that -- those other vehicles....immobilizer and panic alarm.