Remote engine starter?

[MDLarson]

I'm wondering about the possiblity of adding a remote control starter. I'm pretty sure you need an automatic for this, but will it work in a WRX?

1/2 my motivation for this is that it's freakin' cold in MN, and the other 1/2 is 'cause I want to properly warm up that boxer engine.

I don't have a WRX yet, so this is just talk right now.

[neilex]

Hi,

It is possible to do what you want to do and you dont need an automatic. I have a Mitsubishi EVO 7 with Remote start. The Remote start however is part of the Clifford Avantguard 4 alarm system. Its called Clifford IntelliStart.

The way it works is as follows.

When you park your car you press one of the buttons on the alarm remote while the engine is still on. This will arm intellistart. You then remove the keys, The engine will stay running. Get out of the car and close the door. Then main Arm/Disarm button on the remote is pressed and the car locks, alarm arms and the engine switches off. This precedure ensures that the car will not be in gear when you press the autostart button the next morning. You would have had the car in neutral to get out while the engine was running!

Go to www.clifford.com for more details.

Hope this helps!

[MDLarson]

Looks like a pretty nice system... how much does it cost though?

Would you say that the auto-start feature for manual transmission is easy / elegant, or kind a work-around thing? But it's probably nothing I couldn't make routine easily enough...

[neilex]

I would say the system is very easy... its just a habit thing... once you get used to it its fine!

All you really have to do is make sure its in neutral and press the little button. You just get out of the car and remote lock it as normal.

The Avantguard 4 also comes with blackJax anti carjacking system so if you're forced out of your car the thief will only get about quarter mile away when the car will die and the alarm goes nuts!!!! This system also ensures that even if the car keys are obtained by the thief he/she still wont be able to steal the car.

Other features include your lights turning on automatically when it gets dark, Cliffnet Wizzard (enables you to connect the system to a pc to alter settings), Turbo Timer, Numerous different siren sounds, Total closure which closes your electric windows when you remote lock, Wireless immobiliser(even if the alarm system is removed the hidden wireless immobiliser will prevent the car from starting).

This system will even moniter the battery voltage, if it gets too low it will start the car using its own power so the battery will charge. It will also moniter the air temperature and if it goes below the preset temp it will start the car to prevent any freezing.

When I got it installed it cost 1200 irish pounds including installation which took 2 days. As its cheaper in the US I'd say the price would be around $1000.

Basically it ensures that your pride and joy is literally impossible to steal and for that peace of mind its worth every penny..... or cent?!?

[hondaman-iac]

viper 850 ESP does the same thing, but it's a bit pricier than the clifford. also you could get a viper550esp and with 2 extra relays you will be able to remote start