Car Alarm

Roy16

I was wondering if anyone can recommened anyone or anywere that i could buy a car from and were they also install the at the same time.

Thanks

crosstownk

What sort of car are you thinking about - year, type, etc?

Roy16

I'm looking at a VW Golf 02D/03D, but also thinking of a Ford focus. I haven't fully decided yet though. Im going ot think about it over the weekend

colm_mcm

any garage can fit an alarm

bazz26

Yes, buy a car you like and are happy with, then get an alarm fitted in it by a reputable alarm specialist. Plenty of them in your local Golden Pages. Shop around as prices will vary.

You don't have to get the garage where you bought the car to supply and fit the alarm. They usually farm the job out to a third party installer anyway and will add a bit extra to the cost to make it worth their while.

I have the same alarm that I had in my last 2 cars. Had it transfered from old car to new car every time by my local auto electrician for a small fee. Alot cheaper than buying a new one everytime plus you get nothing extra for trading it with the old car.

lomb

bazz26 wrote:

plus you get nothing extra for trading it with the old car.

i would disagree with that, if u connect an alarm into the central locking, u have remote central locking a valuable optional extra that could be the difference between a sale and not privately. u are right though, on a standard garage trade in u get nothing for it.

crosstownk

Personally I wouldn't bother with an alarm. A 2002/03 Golf has an excellent immobiliser system so nobody will be able to start the car - alarm or not. All the alarm will do is sound while your window is smashed and everything gone in under 10 secs!!! The main deterrent of any alarm, in my opinion, is the flashing LED. A Golf has a flashing LED as standard in the drivers door (for dead lock status) and another in the radio (it just flashes to indicated the radio is coded) - so 2 flashing lights probably have the same deterrent effect. Poorly fitted or 'cheap' alarms could possibly cause problems in the future.

If you really do have to get because of other circumstances (tools, equipment, lots of ICE etc) then don't get the garage you buy from to do it - they are much more expensive. All they do is call in mobile alarm fitters and mark up the price. Ring somebody like RM Distribution or Autoglaze they'll probably call to you (you may have to wait a week) and have good quality alarms and competent fitters and are cheaper than main dealer.

ozmo

crosstownk wrote:

Personally I wouldn't bother with an alarm. A 2002/03 Golf has an excellent immobiliser system so nobody will be able to start the car - alarm or not. All the alarm will do is sound while your window is smashed and everything gone in under 10 secs!!! The main deterrent of any alarm, in my opinion, is the flashing LED. .

Theres some really nice alarms out there now - that will radio your keychain to tell you if your alarm is gone off and indicate what doors etc are open. They sell on ebay for about 150 euros and less (ex fitting). Good for peace of mind I suppose.

johnnyrotten

Beware of junk alarms on Ebay , some of which may set your wheels alight.

_Turismo4

Not sure if you live in Dublin, but I’d phone around different garages and get the best price on alarms.
Also if you alarm your car the quote for the insurance could be lower.

5500

Id never take the "dealer option" alarm thats for sure.

None of them seem to come with boot or bonnet protection,pop bonnet,disconnect battery - no alarm

Personally id reccomend a clifford,there on the pricey side but there the only digital alarms i know of and are fully programable via the valet switch or data port.

I paid €300 for there entry level arrow 5 before which has more features than an equally priced cobra alarm

crosstownk

ozmo wrote:

Theres some really nice alarms out there now - that will radio your keychain to tell you if your alarm is gone off and indicate what doors etc are open. They sell on ebay for about 150 euros and less (ex fitting). Good for peace of mind I suppose.

If you want peace of mind then do it. I still don'tbelieve in alarms. I'm responsible for the maintenance of 1500 cars on a daily basis, services, accidents, breakdowns, replacement cars etc and incidents of theft or window breaking is comfortingly low. Leave nothing worth stealing in a locked parked car with a factory immobiliser and all should be well.

crosstownk

eireal wrote:

Id never take the "dealer option" alarm thats for sure.

None of them seem to come with boot or bonnet protection,pop bonnet,disconnect battery - no alarm

Personally id reccomend a clifford,there on the pricey side but there the only digital alarms i know of and are fully programable via the valet switch or data port.

I paid €300 for there entry level arrow 5 before which has more features than an equally priced cobra alarm

I agree - Clifford are probably one of the best. Reliable too. If you have to get an alarm get one of these - if you have something worth protecting then at least do it right.

bazz26

At the end of the day if a thief wants your car badly enough he will get it by breaking into your house and taking the keys.

Yes most cars over the last couple of years have immobilisers which prevents them from being stolen without the key in the ignition. I see an alarm as a reasonable deterent from your average scumbag breaking into your car without at least being noticed. I don't make it easy for them. I have alarm stickers on the windows, the flashing IR led sensor clearly visable in the front windscreen, internal motion sensors also clearly visable and don't leave any valuables visable. It just makes them think twice about it and it is much easier to go to the next car, the one with no alarm and the one that draws no attention to them.

unklerosco

As they say, nothing will stop someone smashing ur window n taking whats in ur car.. Its easy to stop them taking ur car.. My old ren 19 had a hidden switch that cut the battery so the car wouldnt start.. easy simple mod that works.. Security film on the windows would be a good idea if u have stuff in ur car u dont want taken...