panda

ok i just received my car today, it has the stock factory alarm...im debating on to get a new alarm(viper 550esp) or just get the shock sensor upgrade from mazda....whats evryones thoughts on this? whats the better idea do you think?



thanks!

andrew

Sputnik

Personally, I would get an aftermarket alarm. But that's me.

A car that I bought new had a good factory alarm system. It came with keybobs, rear trunk release, shock sensor, and an fuel system based engine kill that was only activated with the factory alarm. In addition to wanting to protect against someone getting a replacement key and fob with my VIN, I also wanted remote start, and a few other features. I was able to leave the factory alarm completely intact and functioning, and installed an aftermarket alarm with functions and tricks that I wanted. I would normally just carry my key with only the aftermarket keyfob on it, and just use the aftermarket alarm (with the remote start, window controls, etc.). But on the few occasions I was parking the car somewhere like the airport parking lot for some extended time, I would carry my key that had both factory and aftermarket keyfobs on it, and activate both. That way, a thief would have to de-activate/bypass two alarms. And in places like an airport parking lot, stealing your car with a tow-truck isn't as much of a threat, because an airport normally doesn't let just any tow-truck onto the property.

Another reason why I prefer to add aftermarket alarms (I normally install them myself) is because I can put in my own unique "tricks", and make it a unique installation. Even a stereo shop can make it a unique installation. A factory system is well-documented, and the same on every car, and once a weakness is identified, it can be used on every car. For example, a buddy of mine had an early '80s 300ZX with a factory alarm. There was a known way to disable the alarm, and that method was used to break into his car. But if you have a well installed alarm, it is very difficult to figure it out and defeat it. And the longer it takes to defeat it, the more likely it is for a thief to give up and move on (depending on how determined he is, of course).

---jps

RX-Nut

Do you think any shop would have a problem with the fact that the RX-8 already has an alarm? Do they remove it, disable it, or blend it with the new alarms features, or what?

Or do we all just carry two fobs? Hehehe

Sputnik

If a shop has a problem with the fact that the RX8 already has an alarm, then move onto another shop.

The way alarms are normally installed, it is normally easier (and cheaper) for the shop to simply install the new alarm, and leave the stock alarm as it is. And with the stock alarm in place, you can normally just use the aftermarket and leave the stock alarm disarmed, and you don't need to carry two fobs.

Normally, it's very difficult to combine the two alarm systems. But ask the shop you are interested in, and what it will cost. The people who can best answer your questions in a way that you can understand is the shop you want to use.

---jps

jenkins-crew

So what do you do if someone accidentally manually locks the door? It arms the system and I can't find my old fob to disarm it. So when ever I open the doors the factory alarm goes off. Is it easy to disable all together?

Kaypee

That happened to me once... All you have to do is place the key in the door and turn it to disable the alarm.

jenkins-crew

your kidding! That easy! Geeeezzz.... Thanks!