My dad just bought a nd new Toyota Highlander. One of the options dealer offerer was alarm. Long story short for $500 its the very basic thing. He rescheduled intal appointment and is looking to see what you can get from aftermarket. Seriously, thats a rip off. What aftermarket options are out there? Anytuing I should stay away from? I don't want it to be too sensetive, but wan't to make sure it goes off in case someone decides to steal exhaust pipes. Thanks in advance.
2-way LCD Compustar. Have been using it for 6+ years and not a single issue. Had Viper alarm and it was garbage. Poor reception and lack of features.
As an installer a good alarm system is only half the battle. X2 for computstar I have also used viper without any problems. The other part is installation! this is key to having a good alarm that will actually stop a theft (if that's what they are trying to do) When I install one the brain is WAY up in the dash where it can not be seen, all wires are covered to look like factory and just to mess with a thief a little more, false bare wires are installed lower in the dash for them to think it's the alarm. I have redone a few alarms where you up the cover under the steering wheel off and the brain falls to the floor. This will do nothing to stop a thief if they are quick enough. Also simply keeping valuable objects hidden is another key way to prevent theft. Two more tips if he has a nice system tunr it down a few miles before his destination. Also parking away from others in a well light area will help.
And there are always the intangibles of the inconvenience of going outside in the morning (if you don't have access to a garage) and finding just broken glass were your car was or even just the hassle of getting the window replaced and replacing the stuff some crack head took in hopes to sell to buy drugs. Or the glitch getting the same stuff done in the middle of a vacation would add. Plus some cars are harder to replace than others even with good insurance. Nothing will stop everyone but I do like to make it as inconvenient as possible, otherwise I wouldn't even bother locking the doors.
