Car Alarms

Forgive me guys, I know that this is probably a well worn topic, but in preparation for my westward ho trip to Knotts, I am trying to cover as many bases as possible. The question, to install a car alarm or not.

I have heard the name "Viper" mentioned and did some research on the web. There are several models out there with a bewildering array of features. Here are my questions:
1. Should I leave home without one?
2. What model should I buy, if I decide to?
3. What features are necessary?
4. How much do you have to violate the car to install one (ie. drilling holes etc.)?
5. Is this really a do it yourself project for a "feckless tuner?" I realize some manufacturers invalidate the warranty if installation is not done at a recognized establishment.

Thanks.
John H

John, I plan to use a local shop that does remote start/car alarms all day long to install mine. It only costs a little more and is a much better deal.

My plan is to have the remote start installed and have the "beeper style remote". This gives you the ability to go in to a movie or sleep in a hotel without worrying about someone messing with the car.

The alarm part has a bunch of features, but I personally don't plan to use most of them. I hate false alarms and I hate anything that shows in the car. So I will have them hook up only the dome/accesory light circuit to the alarm. This way if any door or trunk is opened that would normally turn on a light it will beep you and tell you someone has opened something up.

Of course they could vandalize the car, but thats what insurance is for, and yes if your not around they could do anything they want, but my opinion on all the other high tech stuff is that it is just more to go wrong. The key being, that if you think about the last time you heard a car alarm going off did you think "hey someones trying to steal that car" or did you think "those damn car alarms are annoying" and keep right on walking?

No one cares if someone is stealing your car, but you, so why notify anyone other than yourself?

www.astroflex.com/index.php?module=CMS&func=view&id=22&page=22&&newlang=eng

What I plan to use.

You probably want one that disables starting and driving off with the car --- by cutting off the fuel pump and/or the spark or starter circuit. You can still buy the old VW shift lever locks too. I don't believe wiring to just the dome light is sufficient in a low convertible like the Speedster - easy to get in without even opening the door. Glass breakage not needed but a proximity alarm would be nice ("stand back this car is protected"). I personally like Smith & Wesson (357 Magnum model -- as Clint said "world's most powerful hand gun - go ahead make my day!). These are not difficul to wire in - most indatll places us the manf std wiring diagrams - your "custom" wiring may present a problem to them

John..
I may be oversimlifying this alarm deal but as long as I've been around this site I have not heard of anyone stealing one of our cars. Can't say it won't happen but not lately. I think a car cover in the evenings that is snug around the car is a pretty good deterant, both theft and weather. My JPS has a battery disconnect switch, think that would stop most people interested in a joy ride car. I think these cars are so visible that the car thief would pass our cars by and pick a Toyota Camrey for the parts content.

I'd say, save your money for a couple of nice steaks and some good ale!

Bruce

I agree, If someone really wants it they will get it even if they have to drag it off. I'm much more worried about getting damaged while parked. My car is in the shop right now gettig a pretty serious ding in the LF fender from some jerks door repaired.

Car cover that says Geo in big black letters and a Denver Boot for that extra protection...........

Hoss,

I installed an alarm in my Speedster with the following features:

Pin switches on both doors, hood & bonnet
2 stage shock sensor
Radar for the interior
Starter interupt

All the units are well hidden.

With the alarm on and the cover over the car, first "Joe Blow A$$hole" would have to get the cover off with out setting off the shock, second open the door with out setting off the pin switch, then enter the interior with out setting off the radar only to discover the starter switch inaccesable and not functional (starter interupt)

Of course this does not prevent Joes brother "Fred the Motherf*&$er" from just slashing your top, grabing any loose items the running away. But thats what insurance is for.

Alarms are not difficult at all to install if you have some basic electronics knowledge and can follow directions. I buy mine from Crutchfield.

Let me know if you have questions.

Jerome

What about the guy who comes along with a flatbed and a forklift...

I'm with Vince on this one.......I've never heard of anyone on this site (and there are a LOT of us here) losing a Speedy to theft.

Put a good, non-identifying cover on it and get a good night's sleep....and if you want a REALLY good nite's sleep, leave it at the local police or fire department in their parking lot - They'll watch it for you for nothin'

gn

I used one..... not for full tilt car theft protection. I liked the reach in feature to at least squeal when someone saw a camera bag or just thought they would sit in it.

I used the proximity chirp for parking it in an open area.

I never thought of it as pure theft protection, except at the first level. But that first level deters the horn button & valve cap theives, key the paint folks when you run into a store, the reach in and grab kids, and at least makes a noise when someone approaches it in an open parking lot.

Just an opinion.

Wolfgang; Callahan's Smith & Wesson is a .44.....

CAUTION to trusting Speedster owners traveling thru Washington DC on way to Carlisle --- polititicans aren't the only ones stealing the public blind. In DC area its down to 13 year old kids! Neighbor had 2 cars (MonteCarlo SS and Jeep Cheroke) stolen from Metro parking garage in a 2 year period! The perp was driving the Jeep on DC streets with a screw driver as the key. SS was found in alley stripped beyond bringing it back. Sleeping in vehicle doesnt' scare them off either --- lots of car jacking (put a child in back seat and chances are even greater it seems!)

Bruce is right about the Toyota Camry. Three years ago, mine was stolen right out of the parking lot at work at 9:00 am. I had all the features on my alarm, starter kill, flashing lights, siren....all too easy for the thieves around here. I happened to be rolling beautiful 17" aftermarket chromes that attracted too much attention. Fortunately, the wheels on our Speedsters are not big enough so I do not believe we are a target. Even 17's would not be stolen today....they want 20" - 22". I later considered LoJack but the word on the street here is that the thieves already know how to get by that too.

Save your money on an alarm, that's what insurance is for. Don't get me wrong, I love my Speedster but I have $22,000 agreed-upon replacement value with Hagerty Insurance which will enable me to go out a get a better, faster one with more features....like David Salvato's, then put some change back in my pocket.

I agree with Jim, I know my alarm is not absolute theft protection, but it might make somebody think twice about messin with it, and its flashing LED and chirping will tell the innocent curious to look but dont' touch. I think a pro thief is more likely to target something more familiar that he can dispose of quickest and easiest. A thief who knows cars also probably knows that if he sees what appears to be a nice vintage collectable Porsche Speedster - its probably a somewhat less valuable kitcar replica. If my car hadn't come with the alarm already installed, I dont' know if I would have added it. But I do know that on the overnight trips I've taken with the car I like the idea that the alarm will wake up me and everybody else in the motel in the middle of the night, which hasn't happened.

I once owned a 73 vette convertible and was concerned with its safety. With the soft top I faced most of the issues being raised on this thread. One of my solutions was to buy a nice cover with a locking cable that went under the middle of the car. It served its purpose....until someone stole the cover! They simply cut the lock, and walked away with a very expensive cover. Oh yeah, they also took my center caps. I would think that with the Speedsters two guys could probably just lift the front and slide the cable out without even cutting it.

At least with my option you get a remote starter, which is very handy in the winter months??

There have been alot of great anti-theft ideas posted on this site over the past year or two, some are fairly easy and inexpensive. Do a search of the archives for "theft" or "alarm".

We probably had about 15+ Speedsters parked in the hotel lot at Carlisle last year with no problems - of course several of us were out in that lot enjoying brewski's until very late!

If you have slotted wheels how about this idea - get a heavy chain, cover it with plastic tubing, put it through the wheel/suspension and padlock it. Sure someone could cut it with a boltcutter but when they are trying to move the car in the dark they won't have a clue why it won't move.

A nondescript cover is probably the best first step...

My parents have owned a car stereo shop for about 27 years. In the winter, we do about 1000 remote car starters. By far, the best brand (of starter and alarm) is compuster. I don't remember their website off the top of my head. They have the best warranty and reliability. Their 2 way paging systems are incredible. Properly installed, you should be able to pull it out of the speedster without knowing it was ever in there.

2 more things:
1. it's difficult to put a remote starter on a non fuel injected car.
2. starter kill on an alarm is a horrible idea. inevitably, it will malfunction, and you will get stranded somewhere...

... my 2 cents.

I meant "compustar" with an 'a.' It's been a long day....

Adam, your observation is note worthy, but John's car has a modern fuel injected engine. Thats why he has the option of remote start that most people couldn't or shouldn't even consider.

My car will have the same type of drivetrain.

Seems like remote start is frowned upon by many installers (legal liability reasons) for std shift vehicles. You leave it in gear, hit remote start and car exits thru the back wall of the garage. Seems you'd need some kind of neutral detect switch.

How frigging lazy can you get....Half the fun is getting in, sitting down and starting the Dam thing....you guys are sick....

Vince, it's the time we live in. A hundred years ago, almost nobody had cars except for the inventors. Now we have cars that start themselves, give verbal warnings to potential violators, tell us we are about to get lost, have controlled climates and built in entertainment centers. Maybe my next car purchase should be a Model T. Then I would have to learn to drive all over again, but I hear there is a course available for "T" driving in the Detroit area.

I agree with Vince; I don't even have radio or A/C; I guess these cars weren't designed with those ammenities in mind. I'm a simple unassuming guy and this type of car goes perfectly with my personality. I love it that way, plus it's definitely different.

Johnny, regarding Tin Lizzies, I've heard you need a Ph.D to drive one; they're very unorthodox in their operation as compared to newer Model A's....

Re model T's, its a pedal thing!

For me the fun is driving it and looking at it....hearing the starter turn over does nothing for me??? And starting it a little early when its really cold out is really nice!!!

Speaking of cars and their accessories that now talk to you reminded me of a cartoon in the "New Yorker" magazine, many years ago;

This cartoon guy is sitting in his car, both hands on the wheel as he's driving along and suddenly and a little voice comes out of the speaker on the dash saying "Your fly is down!"

That's a good one Gordon!