Remote Starter ANSWERS!
I just got this PM and it asked alot of good and also very common questions.
I changed a few things to help hide their identity. My answers fallow. If you feel any info is incorrect, please post to that effect.
First, the MSP does not come with a remote starter. The MSP does have a Code alarm installed from the factory. Most find it best to totaly remove this alarm before installing another system. It might be possible to integrate with it but for its lack of reliability and features, most people rip it out. I can't think of any reson you can't use a remote starter for everything though, including controlling the factory alarm and locking the doors. It is also possible to keep 2 seperate remotes, one for the remote starter and one for the alarm/door locks. I am not 100% sure on this though as I have yet to see it done.
Since the car already has an alarm and its likely going to be removed, you should consider an alarm/remote starter. This is an all in one unit that will ofer the protection of an alarm with a remote starter built in.
As these units increase in price you can get one with a 2 way remote control that will notify you if the alarm has gone off, what alarm sensor has been triggered, and if the car has definitly started. Its a cool feature but the systems aren't cheap, expect to pay around $300 for one of these, BEFORE installation. With install your usualy around $500+.
Remote starters really only have a few features people tend to notice these days.
Range - how far away can the remote communicate with the car.
2 Way communication
Door lock control
Number of remotes
Integrated Alarm
Integrated turbo time
Ment to be installed on a standard
There are alot more features but this is about all that people really look for.
Somthings you should know:
Being a standard, the MSP has some special considerations when picking a remote starter. Some companies like Compustar ( a very good company) makes manual specific remote starters. This means the driver must take certian steps to allow the car to remotely start. Tthe car must be in nuetral, then the e-brake pulled, then the doors shut and locked. If that order is broken, the car will not start remotely.
Even though there are specific "Manual" alarm remote starters, the protege does NOT need them. Proteges have a wire that tells the car when it is not in gear. Almost any remote starter can use this wire to ensure the car is not in gear when trying to start. Because of this, almost any remote starter is an option for you but some just have a redundancy to make them safer.
Any remote starter needs installation. I am an experienced installer and it took me about 5 hours to install the one in my girlfriends manual protege a few weeks ago. The install charge differs from store to store but it is usualy $70+ for a remote starter and $125+ for an alarm/remote starter. The more complex the system, the higher the cost. Also, to do door locks, some alarms are priced with hooking up this feature seperately and some are not. Its a marketing thing. You can have 2 units that are almost identical but a store will say one will have door locks included in the price and the other doesn't even though each need all the same wires and components to lock and unlock the doors. The thing to know is that any remote starter that has a lock and unlock button on the remote, can do door locks.
As far as what companies to look for, thats not neccissarily as improtant as who installs it. Be sure that you are trusting of the installer you choose to do this. Most remote starter and alarm issues are install related. Anything DEI is good, this includes Viper, CLifford, Rattler, Python, Valet, Hornet, Avital, Sidewinder, and Wasp. Clifford and Viper are considered there top lines and where I would suggest focusing your attention in the DEi line up or Avital. Compustar is another great brand aswell.
Be aware that although you can get remote startes for $50 at a Pepboys, they are typicly junk. They are built like crap, have crappy range and typicly don't last very long. If your going to get one from a store for cheap, stick to the DEi brands. they atleast benefit from parts sharing with the better units.
Just a side note, a boost controller has no interaction with a remote starter at all. If you aren't aware, a boost controller simply sets the air pressure (boost) a turbo is capable of creating. Now, a turbo timer, will need to be integrated. Luckily for you, alot of newer remote starters have them built in. Turbo Timers that is.
Sorry that it was this long.
Good luck.
I just got this PM and it asked alot of good and also very common questions.
I changed a few things to help hide their identity. My answers fallow. If you feel any info is incorrect, please post to that effect.
ooooo alot to answer so lets get to it.
First, the MSP does not come with a remote starter. The MSP does have a Code alarm installed from the factory. Most find it best to totaly remove this alarm before installing another system. It might be possible to integrate with it but for its lack of reliability and features, most people rip it out. I can't think of any reson you can't use a remote starter for everything though, including controlling the factory alarm and locking the doors. It is also possible to keep 2 seperate remotes, one for the remote starter and one for the alarm/door locks. I am not 100% sure on this though as I have yet to see it done.
Since the car already has an alarm and its likely going to be removed, you should consider an alarm/remote starter. This is an all in one unit that will ofer the protection of an alarm with a remote starter built in.
As these units increase in price you can get one with a 2 way remote control that will notify you if the alarm has gone off, what alarm sensor has been triggered, and if the car has definitly started. Its a cool feature but the systems aren't cheap, expect to pay around $300 for one of these, BEFORE installation. With install your usualy around $500+.
Remote starters really only have a few features people tend to notice these days.
Range - how far away can the remote communicate with the car.
2 Way communication
Door lock control
Number of remotes
Integrated Alarm
Integrated turbo time
Ment to be installed on a standard
There are alot more features but this is about all that people really look for.
Somthings you should know:
Being a standard, the MSP has some special considerations when picking a remote starter. Some companies like Compustar ( a very good company) makes manual specific remote starters. This means the driver must take certian steps to allow the car to remotely start. Tthe car must be in nuetral, then the e-brake pulled, then the doors shut and locked. If that order is broken, the car will not start remotely.
Even though there are specific "Manual" alarm remote starters, the protege does NOT need them. Proteges have a wire that tells the car when it is not in gear. Almost any remote starter can use this wire to ensure the car is not in gear when trying to start. Because of this, almost any remote starter is an option for you but some just have a redundancy to make them safer.
Any remote starter needs installation. I am an experienced installer and it took me about 5 hours to install the one in my girlfriends manual protege a few weeks ago. The install charge differs from store to store but it is usualy $70+ for a remote starter and $125+ for an alarm/remote starter. The more complex the system, the higher the cost. Also, to do door locks, some alarms are priced with hooking up this feature seperately and some are not. Its a marketing thing. You can have 2 units that are almost identical but a store will say one will have door locks included in the price and the other doesn't even though each need all the same wires and components to lock and unlock the doors. The thing to know is that any remote starter that has a lock and unlock button on the remote, can do door locks.
As far as what companies to look for, thats not neccissarily as improtant as who installs it. Be sure that you are trusting of the installer you choose to do this. Most remote starter and alarm issues are install related. Anything DEI is good, this includes Viper, CLifford, Rattler, Python, Valet, Hornet, Avital, Sidewinder, and Wasp. Clifford and Viper are considered there top lines and where I would suggest focusing your attention in the DEi line up or Avital. Compustar is another great brand aswell.
Be aware that although you can get remote startes for $50 at a Pepboys, they are typicly junk. They are built like crap, have crappy range and typicly don't last very long. If your going to get one from a store for cheap, stick to the DEi brands. they atleast benefit from parts sharing with the better units.
Just a side note, a boost controller has no interaction with a remote starter at all. If you aren't aware, a boost controller simply sets the air pressure (boost) a turbo is capable of creating. Now, a turbo timer, will need to be integrated. Luckily for you, alot of newer remote starters have them built in. Turbo Timers that is.
Sorry that it was this long.
Good luck.
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