I see in the brochure that the S (at least MY 02) has an "immobilizer theft-deterrent system" that comes standard. Is this worth anything, or is a real anti-theft/alarm/etc. system required?

 

It's worth enough to get me the "anti-theft" system discount on the insurance.

Basically there's a chip in the key that the ECU or body computer needs to read in order to be able to start the car. I don't know about it's effectiveness, but it's the same type of system that GM came out with first in the Corvette years ago. I never see the later model Vette's near the top of any list of top stolen cars, so I'm betting it's pretty damn effective at least against your typical joyrider type of thief. If someone's determined enough, I'm sure they can just load the whole thing on a flatbed and make off with the goods though but that excludes 99% of the thieves out there. They're more likely to make a mess of the car stealing things off of it and even a regular alarm won't help in that case unless you live in a place where someone actually pays attention to car alarms.

 

Thanks. Now the question is, how many people have sprung for the optional Honda Security System? Worth the price, or is an after-market (Viper, etc.) system installed by other than Honda a better deal?