I bought a Viper alarm (can return it of course) with perimeter sensor with 2 way remote, total including upcoming install was just over $400. I don't live in a bad neighborhood, it's just that I dont take it anywhere I cant see it. This would ease my mind a bit with the perimeter sensor and 2 way remote... (next to my bike, I've never owned anything as nice as this car). On the other hand - and a few more hundred $$$ - is the lightened flywheel. I love the difference it made on my motorcycle (especially being a twin) and believe here in the mountains, with all these twisty roads available, it would be that much more fun with throttle response like that. I wonder how a lightened flywheel would feel on this car... hmmm, flywheel now - alarm tax time?? When does the air intake come in?? Exhaust?? Where does a person STOP may be the BEST question... :D Just thinking out loud I guess... I love this car!!!

 

Well, I happen to like the Viper system and have been wanting to get one for my 8 for some time, I am not sure which you should go with first that is up to you but they are both good things to get. But I wouldn't ant it to get stolen and have someone enjoying my lightweight flywheel, so it all depends on you. I still use the stock system and the shock sensor isn't worth ****. It got keyed and the alarm never went off, with a good viper system they can't touch it.

 

btw - stores don't 'have' to take items back...I can't think of a law where a store would be legally bound to accept an otherwise good item, back for return.

 

If someone wants your car, they WILL take it. Period.

The good news about the RX-8 is that it is a low-volume, low production, specialized-parts car. High volume cars like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima always are way ahead on the lists of cars to be stolen.

I'd worry far more about someone vandalizing your ride than someone stealing it. I was at a mall a few days ago and as I approached my car, three kids were milling about it ooh-ing and ahh-ing over it, when I heard one of them say "I hate m-f'ing ********* with cars like this. Let's key it." Suddenly their mood changed (this is all as I'm approaching the car) and quick as a flash I hit the panic button on the remote ... well, they scattered as you can imagine.

So, your decision lies not in "are they going to steal my RX-8" but "what am I protecting it for"? I perimeter alarm does indeed do a good job of protecting against vandals. I fully expect that my car will be keyed one of these days and it won't be a happy day when it happens. But I don't want to spend $500 on an alarm for a leased car.

 

My dilemma as well.

 

I would go with the Flywheel, they'll always find a way of taking it anyways regardless if you have an alarm or not, it's just a peace of mind I suppose.

 

I have the Viper alarm with 2-way remote and perimeter sensors...I had it installed in December 04. Prior to getting the alarm installed, I dreaded parking it in crowded lots, at the mall, or anwhere where I can't keep a managed eye on it. Now I've got a warm-fuzzy that it's better protected than if I didn't have the Viper alarm. It has the ignition kill; all the alarm electronic are well hidden; and the 2-way remote is very much worth the investment. Insurance rate also went down. Sure, if someone is going to steal the car, they will...but have a tougher time starting it (giving me a chance to catch the guy in the act). Sure, someone can ding/key the car...but they may (might) think twice when they get too close and it starts alarming.

Foresight: "Man, I can really see me getting that new flywheel/exhaust/etc..."
Hindsight: "Man, I wish I still had that RX-8 that was stolen...it had a new flywheel/exhaust/etc...
Hindsight 2: "Man, I wish I knew my alarm was going off for the last hour..."

I say get the Viper Alarm (with 2 remotes if you have 2 drivers and the perimeter sensors)

 

I always feel that if the thief in question is technologically equipped enough to get around the immobilizer, then a common/popular alarm system isn't going to be a problem. As far as a vandal deterrent, I'm all for that. What kind of range does this proximity sensor have?

 

The tech that installed my Viper alarm said it had up to a half mile range. I receive a signal all through my local mall, so I'm happy.

My thought...locks are to keep honest people honest. If someone wants to steal or vandalize, they will. Any deterrence is better than none. You lock your doors when you leave home for the day...doesn't stop the low-tech thief from kicking in the door. The lock is for deterrence and piece of mind. That's what a solid car alarm will do for you. Insurance is for the theft for vandalism, alarms are for making the need to use that insurance less likely.

Thought #2. See how much your insurance goes down with the alarm. Maybe the money you'll save on insurance rates will pay for the alarm system = free alarm.

 

Ooops....a misread on your question...the transmitter/receiver unit has the half mile range. The proximity sensor can be set to only go off if someone puts their hand inside the vehicle or around a half a foot from the outside of the vehicle. I had my tech set mine for all of the interior and just to the skin of the outside of the car. People can look at the car, oooh and ahhhh at the car, but as soon as they press up against the glass or put their head inside, it gives out a warning chirp. 2 warnings and then off goes the alarm.

 

Flywheel!!

I think youre ok with the stock alarm in Ashville, your Crimerate is low out there....

Annual crime rates per 100,000 people
Crime Category Dallas, Texas Asheville, North Carolina
Robberies 701 286
Rapes 56 64
Homicides 20 17
Aggravated Assaults 719 324
Motor Vehicle Thefts 1597 701
Crime Lab Index 363 237
(Source www.homefair.com)


- Irish

 

Thats a pretty good point. What model Viper do you have boringkajj? Any chance the 437C? You sound like your pretty happy with it so it must work pretty well? Doesnt go off unless definitely tripped etc? I like the idea of the perimeter sensor chirping to possibly warn vandals away. The first reply was pretty funny BTW:
I've still gotta kick it around, cause man would that flywheel add to the fun... We'll see.

Thanks for the crime statistics Irish :D and feedback from everybody else.

 

Return the alarm. get the flywheel, you will rev alot faster which=quicker 0-60 if that's what want

 

I've got the Viper 790vx. You can set the sensitivity to your liking.

 

I don't understand your dilemma. Flywheel vs. alarm? The car has an alarm; besides, that's what your insurance policy is for. Go with the flywheel, or better yet a Racing Beat suspension.

Good luck!

 

Dilemma just being I have some extra loot to spend on an upgrade. I'm not as concerned of it being stolen as it being vandalized. The alarm is so I can have peace of mind while away from it (perimeter sensor and 2 way remote, factory alarm doesnt compare exactly to my needs). I'll price the flywheel with labor and my insurance with the alarm installed tomorrow and sorta decide from there. Thanks guys.