Can anyone recommend a remote car starter?

[Recharger]

...Not for a Charger, it will actually be going in an 04 Honda Civic.  I'm thinking about getting one for the gf for Christmas, but I know nothing about them and figured I'd throw the question out here before trying to do hours of online research on my own.  What's a good brand?  What's a horrible brand worth avoiding?  What's the best value for the $$?  How difficult would it be to install on my own?  Am I guaranteed to have electrical issues down the road after installation?  Thanks in advance for any input....

[BigBlockSam]

this is the one i have . it's suppose to be one of the best out there . it works well


http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PRESTIGE-Remote-Start-Car-Alarm-Starter-VIPER-652t_W0QQitemZ350133888043QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Alarms_Security?hash=item350133888043&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1234|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[Recharger]

Thanks Sam.

Did you install it yourself?  If so, how difficult was it?

[BigBlockSam]

i had my friend put it in . he charged me $50 and was done in 45 minutes . it comes with instructions . 

[defiance]

How difficult it is depends on your skill level.  If you're good with wiring, soldering (or crimping, but soldering is preferable), good with a multimeter (and you DO have one) etc, and you get a good reference for the specific vehicle, it should be relatively simple. 

[BrianShaughnessy]

I had a remote starter installed in her car for Xmas 2 years ago.   Don't remember the brand but it cost about $250ish installed.  It was a local shop that guaranteed their work.

I didn't have to worry if I screwed up and having to hear about it if she was inconvenienced more than the few hours it took to have it installed.

Very good present for the lady in your life.      Plus I don't have to trudge outside to start her car on my day off 

What I'll never buy again is an alarm system.    I finally found the electrical gremlin in my GTA a couple years back.   It was the alarm.  I tossed it.   Problem solved. 

[Mopar2Ya]

I recommend Valiat brand, I have had one & seen several other work very well. They require you to push the start button twice to start(less accidental starts). I currently have a CoolStart, which is a one press to start(dealer installed). Normal installed price should be close to $250, depending on if you have door locks, etc. run to the starter fob.

[Tilar]

I bought a viper something like 4 years ago, and finally installed it last year. I checked the door locks, trunk release and start modes. All worked great for a grand total of 4 starts and this thing died never to work again. 

I guess since it's getting cold again I should start thinking about getting another one....Only next time I'm paying someone to put the thing in.

[defiance]

I doubt it's the unit; I probably installed 100 or more vipers back in the day ('95-'99 or so), and I honestly don't remember a single one ever coming back with a problem that wasn't my fault (nobody's perfect )

[1969chargerrtse]

I've had several with few to no problems.  My last one was several years ago form Pep boys and it worked fine and was cheap.

[Tilar]

I doubt it's the unit; I probably installed 100 or more vipers back in the day ('95-'99 or so), and I honestly don't remember a single one ever coming back with a problem that wasn't my fault (nobody's perfect )

It could easily be something I did. The fact that it worked 4 or 5 times and then nothing the next morning is what is throwing me. Maybe i'll check this one out a bit before I spend the money on another one.

[BigBlockSam]

the kids where playing ball in front of the house and hit  the truck with the football . i didn't hear the alarm go off but my key fob started beeping . i didn't know that this alarm would page me. that's pretty cool . 

[autodynamics]

i would recommend the audiovox unit or a dei unit. dei makes viper hornet etc. both are the most reliable in the industry. i use them exclusively all others are in my opinion ok. i sell both units none come back ever. very rarely is there a problem, if you install them correctly. have someone install it that is qualified. DONT mess around.!!!any question pm i can answer all questions .Pete

[451-74Charger]

My Wife says im the BEST remote starter she ever had, however the OEM one on our jeep comes a close 2nd.

[Recharger]

Thanks for all the input guys.  It looks like I'm going to pass on this project.  I'm no expert with wiring (though I'm sure I'd figure it out in due time) and I'm not confident enough to practice on her car.  I guess I was hoping for a system that would tell me "white to white, red to red" plug it in and go.  From everything I've read here and elsewhere, it doesn't sound that easy (nothing ever is, I know) and I don't want to end up leaving her stranded somewhere.

I was considering just coughing up the cash and having a decent shop install it, but then my a-hole boss calls me in on Friday and tells me I'm laid off, along with the rest of the outside sales department.      The Christmas budget just got real tight all of sudden. 

Maybe I'll just buy her a thicker pair of mittens and longer windshield scraper...that should go over well...