OT - Remote starter for new car

[RUfinal4]

A close friend is in the process of buying a new Mazda 3. She has gotten good prices thanks to Edmunds and True Car from a few dealers that are competing for her business for the vehicle. She wants the remote starter on her car (Edmunds lists the factory remote between $475 and $600 based on invoice to MSRP) but the dealers are all saying it is better to go to a 3rd party place that will give her a similar remote starter for half the price. My guess is they just want to sell a car and not have to worry about adding on features or options. Also, it is possible they farm out this work anyway. I checked Best Buy's site as a basis and see some of the prices for the Viper systems. An old LC3 system is $499 installed at Best Buy. I have a call out to a local place that has the Viper LC3 and HD systems to see their pricing.

Does anyone have experience with installing a remote system recently? What was your approximate cost to install it? Any other comments in addition to my questions below?

With your system:
- are you able to use 1 key fob for everything?
- do you have a cell phone interface?
- what other options besides a basic start and stop of the engine do you have?

thanks

 

[RU4Real]

She's not going to get a quality remote start for "half the price". I'd go for the dealer-installed option. It has the advantage of being a "one throat to choke" item in the event of failure.

 

[RutgersUnion]

I got my 4runner from Sansone about 10 years ago and I negotiated it in for free. The one they installed wasn't OEM but still worked perfectly fine.

 

[Upstream]

If she is buying a new car, why not just get a factory-installed starter. The dealer doesn't have to do anything (since the starter is already installed when the dealer takes delivery), and you are certain that the starter is fully compatible with the car and covered under the new vehicle warranty.

The only reason I can see to get an after-market starter (whether installed by the dealer or a third party) is because you already have a car without a starter, you are buying a used car, or you want a starter with different bells and whistles than available in the factory-installed model (which would probably mean higher price).

 

[NJbound]

Be careful of one thing. I had a Mazda dealer tell me that an after market starter on a new car may invalidate certain parts of the warranty. probably just a scare tactic, but worth looking into.

 

[RUfinal4]

Be careful of one thing. I had a Mazda dealer tell me that an after market starter on a new car may invalidate certain parts of the warranty. probably just a scare tactic, but worth looking into.

There is a law that allows you to install aftermarket parts. As long as we go to a respectable place it won't invalidate the warranty.

1 dealer quoted her around $799 for the factory system installed. I researched the factory system and it requires a 2nd key fob and only works to 300 ft while possibly not working from inside. It sounds like they want to make a deal for a car as is and not add anything on. None of the cars my friend has inquired about have the remote system factory or port installed. They all have to be done at the dealer.

 

[mikershoein]

after market just never as good, get the dearler to square it up

 

[ron313]

A close friend is in the process of buying a new Mazda 3. She has gotten good prices thanks to Edmunds and True Car from a few dealers that are competing for her business for the vehicle. She wants the remote starter on her car (Edmunds lists the factory remote between $475 and $600 based on invoice to MSRP) but the dealers are all saying it is better to go to a 3rd party place that will give her a similar remote starter for half the price. My guess is they just want to sell a car and not have to worry about adding on features or options. Also, it is possible they farm out this work anyway. I checked Best Buy's site as a basis and see some of the prices for the Viper systems. An old LC3 system is $499 installed at Best Buy. I have a call out to a local place that has the Viper LC3 and HD systems to see their pricing.

Does anyone have experience with installing a remote system recently? What was your approximate cost to install it? Any other comments in addition to my questions below?

With your system:
- are you able to use 1 key fob for everything?
- do you have a cell phone interface?
- what other options besides a basic start and stop of the engine do you have?

thanks

Best Buy is cheap for these things. Probably rather have the dealer do it. However, depending on number of remotes and integration into one FOB, could be $200-$500 at Best Buy.

I got one done there for about $200 but that was using a separate remote. I think kit was $150 with install but I had to get some card upgrade for $50. Works great.

 

[MrWise]

Please make sure that the remote starter is properly installed. I handled a case a couple of years ago where a poor fellow's hands were pulled through the alternator belt of his vehicle because the tech did not install the hood kill-switch.

 

[RUsig]

Most Mazdas do not come with remote starters factory installed. I've owned a 3 and CX-5. Yes, it is an option to buy, where then they have a 3rd party come in after signing to install the Mazda OEM RS system. I know Open Road Mazda in EB uses Zippos to do installs.

 

[RUSK97]

Maybe you should tell her to return the Mazda and get a Honda Accord.

Sorry, somebody was going to say it..

 

[RUfinal4]

Zippos in EB closed a year or so ago. I had used them myself over the years. I have tried to contact Auto Image in EB to see their pricing. Waiting to hear back. I believe most dealers outsource this stuff to these companies anyway.

 

[RUScrew85]

She's not going to get a quality remote start for "half the price". I'd go for the dealer-installed option. It has the advantage of being a "one throat to choke" item in the event of failure.

I had one installed by the dealer for my Raptor but I needed to get them the item numbers for the one that would actually work - and I have 2 FOBs.

Check the local Mazda web forum for details on what you need to verify the dealer gets it right.

Plus most aftermarket non manufacturer stuff is kinda a kludge.