Hey Guys:

There's this dude at my gym who has a black 2006 S. We were discussing about security system for the S. He told me that he has the OEM anti-theft immobilizer, 2-way pager alarm system and a low-jack.

He told me that I should think about the same security system for my S.

I think it's overkill, but then again WTF do I know? I'm ignorant when it comes to car alarms/security systems. Are there any S owners here who have the same security set-up?

I guess what I'm asking are personal experience and expert opinions whether I should invest on all these security systems.

My 2006 S already comes with OEM anti-theft immobilizer. Should I invest on an actual alarm systems? I've searched our forum as well as "googled" info on car alarms. It seems to me that technology just keep changing and I just don't want to be taken for a ride by wasting my hard earned money

I really want to hear from fellow S owners. What are the current technology/features I should "really" consider? I hear alarms at various parking lots, streets, etc. going off for no freakin' reason. I want my alarm to be reliable, not a "nuisance."

Thanks guys

 

I have flame throwers on my S..... Someone grabs the doorhandle and bye bye theif

 

I personally recomend the Trunk Monkey.

 

Thanks for the recommendation, however, I would not subject the monkey to this kind of work especially during 100+ temperature. It's bordering on animal cruelty.

On a more serious note, I would really like some recommendations as I just picked up one of our local "Recycler" and saw numerous specials on alarms. I just want to make the right investment.

Thanks again.

 

Ok, well in that case I say we break down his security systems:

OEM anti-theft immobilizer, 2-way pager alarm system and a low-jack.

OEM anti-theft immobilizer:
I'm going to assume he's talking about the fact that the key has a chip in it, and the signal from a programmed key is required to start the engine. This is standard and no further discussion needed.

2-way pager alarm system:
I'm guessing it's a standard 2-way paging alarm, but we don't really know what features he has added onto it... I'm looking at going with the Viper 5000, adding a zone sensor since it's a 'vert, and possibly some other stuff such as a tilt sensor (protection against wheel theft and towing, although I'm not sure how "all out" I want to go just yet.

Basically at this level the purpose of the system is to stop the theif from attempting to steal your items inside the car, or stop them from doing any more damage once they set the alarm off (ie: cut open the rag top). Some argue at that point you're paying the insurance costs anyway so why not get new seats/stereo/ect while you're at it but since I've been there (in a different vehicle) I personally don't think it was worth the hassle.

low-jack:
The low-jack systems, last I knew, had standard alarms built into them... but nothing like a high level alarm. This may have changed though so you can research this on your own if you want. This is more of a tracking system for cars. If the vehicle is stolen then most police forces are able to track the signal of your vehicle and recover it faster (the idea is before it's re-sold or parted out). Once again some people argue that once your vehicle is stolen you really hope that they CAN'T find your vehicle since it will be so trashed (either apperance wise, over-rev or other mechanical abuse or a both!) that you won't want it back.

So what you want will determine how many levels of his setup you have. I'm looking into a two-way paging alarm, but not the low-jack. As long as you don't get a remote start (not "suppose" to be put on a manual transmission vehicle anyway) then the first feature won't even be an issue... and even then a properly setup remote start alarm will only bypass the factory anti-theft feature when the alarm is using it, not full time.

 

Honestly, I said it before and Ill say it again.

The s2000 is not a civic. If your car gets stolen, it WILL NOT be chopped. It will be sent to Europe, South America, Mexico, etc etc.

Now, you dont want Lo-Jack. I have friends that work as dealers, and Lo-Jack is the WORST thing you can get for your car. If your car is stolen, YOU DO NOT WANT IT BACK.

Cars like s2000s get towed on a truck, not hotwired and driven away. Alarms do nothing for this. In this day in age, there is no point of an alarm. If you want an attention grabber, just get a basic alarm that blares a horn when doors are opened without a key. The immobilizer makes the car pretty hard to start, and the fact that the s2k is SOOOO cramped under the dash, no theif would turn their back to try and hotwire it. Dont worry. Thats why you pay for insurance.

 

[QUOTE=NFRs2000NYC,Jul 18 2006, 02:05 PM] Cars like s2000s get towed on a truck, not hotwired and driven away.

 

[QUOTE=Doug0716,Jul 18 2006, 02:12 PM]What about the tilt sensors... it actually seems like a pretty good idea to me, but I've never actually played with one and I'm not sure how well it really works.

 

Well, around here they don't do much towing, and I don't go to downtown (Dallas) much so parking illegally isn't something that comes to mind when a car is being towed. And yes, most cars can be moved/towed quickly, but most cars are also a lot higher off the ground than ours. Is it capable to tow a S2000 w/o a flatbed (which takes a bit longer to tow)? I also have two vehicles and if I know I'm going somewhere where I would be at a higher risk for theft/door dings I'll take my other vehicle.

I'm more worried about it sitting in front of a friend's house/apt since both times I've had a vehicle broken into was in front of my house or a friend's apt. (The S stays in the garage 99.9% of the time I'm home).

 

=====>"The s2000 is not a civic. If your car gets stolen, it WILL NOT be chopped. It will be sent to Europe, South America, Mexico, etc etc.

Now, you dont want Lo-Jack. I have friends that work as dealers, and Lo-Jack is the WORST thing you can get for your car. If your car is stolen, YOU DO NOT WANT IT BACK.

Cars like s2000s get towed on a truck, not hotwired and driven away. Alarms do nothing for this. In this day in age, there is no point of an alarm.<=====

It may the reality but it sure doesn't sound comforting

My Volvo has an OEM alarm but was still broken in twice. They've also removed the front emblem, and outside mirrors (twice, mirrors are $80 each). My Tacoma has a lojack and was broken in multiple times but didn't steal anything as my truck is very basic. I had the driver's side door key replaced 3 times.

I had a 3 series BMW conv 8 years ago and was very lucky that no one ever broken in nor vandalized it. I had it for 6 years---I guess I was really lucky.

Now I'm agonizing after talking to the guy at the gym about his S. And why he had all those security system installed. But upon reading NFRs2000NYC's comments, it seems pointless to spend money on these type of systems.

Am I better off to just leave the top down all the time, this way if they want to take a look, they can without ripping the top off? Is this stupid?

Would a covertible cover is more cost effective than putting the top up when parking? At least, if they want to break in, they can just take the cover and look inside? Damn, I'm sounding more and more stupid because of my paranoia.

NFRs2000NYC is absolutely right. I would not want my S back if they had taken it apart or even just vandalized it for that matter. This really sucks! But I guess that's the problem we all have to face for owning nice cars.

Oh well, I guess I'l just stick with my OEM anti-theft immobilizer and get an inexpensive alarm system as per NFRs2000NYC's suggestion.

Thanks for the input/suggestions.