Remote Starter...

hey everyone,

I am looking to buy a remote starter for my 2000 GTP. I want a quality product with a small, effective keyfob that is relatively affordable.

Does anyone have any experience in the area? Anything I else I should consider before I hit the market? Thanks.

I know of directed.com but there seems to be too many choices. Any help is appreciated.

Damn Michigan winters...there is already a freeze advisory for tonight.

whatever you do.....have it installed where ever you buy it....

I have found most places that sell but do not install do not warrenty it if you have it installed by a non certified installer for that alarm/remote start

Just go to your local stero shop and have them install it and buy it from them...it will save you alot of hassle later if something goes wrong

how expensive are remote starters with installation typically?

I haven't installed one in my GP yet, but I installed an Avital remote start in my Dodge Stratus almost 2 years ago that still works great.
Bought it at Bestbuy--they guarantee their work for 1 year and do the installation for free.
Total price: $225.00 (installation included)
The GP install is a little higher (40 or 50 bucks more) because of the chip in the key.

They shouldn't charge you anything extra with the chip in your key. It's a resistor they solder in line with the ignition somewhere. If someone told you that you should find out why, because when i worked at Best Buy that was considered misc parts, the 3.00 charge for all installations...Things may have changed??

The Matrix RS3, $499, I've heard, is an excellent one overall, it's also an alarm though.

I had an RS2 and it had a hellu long range on it. I could start my car in teh parking lot before I left work. even parked back in the lot. It makes those cold nights feel a little better. Price was like $399 installed but i got it cheap because I was an employee.

If you don't want to spend that much then you get one that is only a remote start and add modules to it later on. More expensive down the road b/c you have to pay for labor each time you have a module installed. But you could pick one up for 200-300 at most retail stores like Best Buy, Circuit City and the like.

Hope this helps.

They shouldn't charge you anything extra with the chip in your key. It's a resistor they solder in line with the ignition somewhere. If someone told you that you should find out why, because when i worked at Best Buy that was considered misc parts, the 3.00 charge for all installations...Things may have changed??

The Matrix RS3, $499, I've heard, is an excellent one overall, it's also an alarm though.

I had an RS2 and it had a hellu long range on it. I could start my car in teh parking lot before I left work. even parked back in the lot. It makes those cold nights feel a little better. Price was like $399 installed but i got it cheap because I was an employee.

If you don't want to spend that much then you get one that is only a remote start and add modules to it later on. More expensive down the road b/c you have to pay for labor each time you have a module installed. But you could pick one up for 200-300 at most retail stores like Best Buy, Circuit City and the like.

Hope this helps.
OK, I hate to flame you and don't mean to but it might seem like it. I own and operate my own shop and am a DEI authorized dealer. 1st, I hate it when some punk at some chain store decides the best method of bypassing a VATS system is to through in a resistor. That is totally wrong. The proper way is to use a relay and only bypass the system when you remote start. You are setting yourself up for too many problems taking the easy way out. Also, I do charge extra for VATS override because I do it right.
2nd, since 2000, all Grand Prix came come with the Passkey III system (or PK3). Before that, they didn't come with anything. So, with that system you had to use something like DEI #555g or 456u in order to correctly bypass it.

Now as far as product from DEI, it is basically all good. Most are all the same, just different warranties and names. So, if you look at a Viper 1400xv, it is the same as a Python 1400xp. Valet is the same thing too just with a little shorter range and 1 year warranty. The big names come with lifetime warranties and I give lifetime on installs too. You should be able to get a real nice DEI system for around $250 on up depending what model and features you want. If you go with the 2-way remote and have them do extras like hook up the rear defrost, then obviously you'll pay more.

ninernas, if you are ever in Ohio..... :iceslolan

thanks everyone...ponchonutty, i will definitely keep in mind your good advice.

Thanks. I just try to help those that ask the very questions you did. I love my career and love helping others. I maybe poor but I have enough to put food on the table but more inportantly, I smile on my way to work! Good luck in your quest ninernas!