Rotary78

Ive heard that its so much better to get an automatic starter for the 8, so that the car reaches operatiing temp and you won't have to worry about flooding... I also heard that it drains ur battery 2x as fast! anyone hear differently? also if anyone knows a good brand name to buy let me know...

RX-8 friend

If you get a remote starter you will defeat the vehicle immobilizer system. For the car to start they have to hide a coded in key near the steering column. This means all a thief needs is a key that fits the ignition lock (or he just bypasses the lock).

It's a bad idea.

Rotary78

oh really?! i just hate having to worry about getting a flooded engine, or driving short trips, because i have to wait for the needle to go in the middle.... thanks, lets hope a thief doesnt know how to drive manual.. hahaha

playdoh43

thieves arent idiots, if they dont know how to get past the immobilizer system, they wouldnt waste their time trying to steal a rx8, they dont know that your immobilizer system is disabled so they wouldnt touch your car anyways. If they do know how to get past the immobizer system, then even if you dont install your autostart, theyd be able to steal it neways.

FYI thieves has very little incentive to steal a rx8, its not a common car. they wont be able to make much money chopping up your rx8 as they would if they go steal a camry or integra or something that has parts in high demand.

lurch519

um, no. the coded key does have to be placed in the vehicle, but it goes into a box and that box sends the code to the ignition cylinder only when the remote starter is activated. the only way to use this in stealing the vehicle would be to locate the bypass module, remove the key, then use it to steal the vehicle. as long as its installed properly, there is nothing to worry about unless the thief has a good amount of time (30 or more minutes depending on where the bypass module is located) and he knows that the key is in the vehicle.

as to draining the battery twice as fast, no worries, i have had the viper 791xv alarm and remote start on my 8 since june, and have had absolutely no problem, and as long as the vehicle is at least started on a semi regular basis, there should be no problems with the battery dying. even without the remote start, you would have to make sure the car is started on a semi regular basis to prevent the battery from dying, as there is always some current draw.

another option to the battery issue would be getting a much better battery than the stock one. i currently have the stinger sp1000 battery, which is a 1000 cranking amp battery, only issue with fitment is i needed to cut a piece of wood to allow the battery to sit high enough for the terminals to be connected.

the reason i know all this is because i work for a specialty retailer that specializes in installing remote start systems.

as to good brands, just about anything made by dei (directed electronics), ie viper, python, clifford, etc is good to go with. also the prestige systems by audiovox are excellent as well.

if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, i have 7 years in sales and installation of these systems.

Rotary78

wow i didn't even know that, thanks for your help lurch and everyone else...... are you located in new jersey?

JeRKy 8 Owner

This is for your viewing pleasure

lurch519

so what exactly does this have to do with remote starts???

nope, tax free delaware

RX-Aight

Most systems cut the vehicle off if you press the gas or the clutch. without the key in the ignition.

RX-Aight

I think the point is that even if you have it, dosent mean someone can't mess with your car.

lurch519

well, that is obvious. a CAR ALARM is only a deterrent to theft or vandalasim. but we were discussing remote car starters, which have absolutely no security component other than the brake wire, which will, as you stated correctly, shut off the engine if the key is not turned to the run position before you press the brake to shift into gear

RX-Aight

Exactly. I guess I should have said that it doesn't have anything to do with remote starting, but what I think he's trying to say is...

FDHerbert

You can only have remote start if you have an automatic trans. not availble to be installed in manual trans.

Raz0rama

A manual RX-8 will not start unless the clutch is pushed in, so it is impossible for you to get remote start for it.

If you're afraid of it being too cold to take a short trip, you can always get a heat lamp and leave it plugged in over your engine block overnight like my dad had to do in cold weather when I was living in NH.

Asmoran

^^ That's completely false. No MT car will start without the clutch pushed in (well nothing built within the last decade at least). The 8 is no different than any other MT, and it is indeed possible to have a remote start on a MT 8.

Many installers won't install it, however, and there are several places with laws against auto starters on MT cars.

Do a search, this has been discussed before.

Coop '04

It's completely possible, you just bypass the clutch safety switch. Shops just don't like to do it because people are dumb and will balme the shop the first time they start their car in gear and it ends up in their living room.

lurch519

wow, i must have found a way around the laws of whatever, as i have had remote start on my 8 since july of last year, and it works flawlessly

SolidGun

Sorry to dig this up, but I have had 5 MT cars for the past 3 years and have had autostart in all of them. It is more expensive to have them installed and you have to find the dealer that will do it, but it is nowhere near impossible.
They just bypass the clutch safety. After the installation, if you were to start the car, you don't even have to press in the clutch. Just turn you key as if you have AT.
I hate ignorant people.

wisconsinben

wow.

lurch519

me too.
looks like your dealer doesnt even know what they are doing, as there is no need to just bypass the neutral safety switch. if you can start the car with out depressing the clutch pedal using the key, its not done right.

MyRXdrug

there are MT car starters too. They all have safety backups unless not installed properly. the car has to be in neutral with the ebrake engaged for one.
I'm too lazy to check but our cars have an alarm system right? If it does is it any good? sorry to hijack the thread.

itrustme

i bought a 2006 rx8 gt MT back in april. the deal consisted of a car starter. but when i got the car the dealer said they don't know how to install one and that mazda will look into it. Now 3 months later i still haven't heard anything. anyone get carstarter from mazda for MT??

c41250n

iTrader: (5)

i have installed a python alarm with remote start last week! i love it, it is so convient!!
if the key is not in the ignition, and turned to on, and you step on the brake, the car will shut off!!
so i think it is pretty safe, and plus, rx8 is not a very common car, so not much people will like to steal a rx8, and plus i have low jack on my car, so if anything, insurance is gonna cover that!!! so itz all good!!