I have always had an aftermarket alarm on all my vehicles. Is the stock unit effective considering you need a specific key to start the vehicle? I realize all this prevents is "drive-aways" but how effective is it in other areas, or is it just a trick keyless entry device.

What type of aftermarket alarm would provide an increased level of protection (tip, glass, etc) while retaining all the standard features, and would the chip in the key interfear with any additinal starter interlock?

Thanks for any advice.

 

The builtin immobilizer is most likely better than any aftermarket starter interrupt, as it's integrated into the engine computer. If you want shock sensors, glass sensors, etc, that's a personal choice.. but all they do is give the alarm more reasons to make noise, and making noise is not that effective these days. If they really want your car, they'll just load it on a flatbed and haul it off. You might want to look into theft recovery devices like LoJack.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

what exactly is lojack? some sort of tracking system?

'03 G35 Sedan: ivory/aero body/sport/sunroof
Warning: Objects in mirror are FASTER than they appear

 

Yes. www.lojack.com

They put it in one of about a dozen locations on any given make/model vehicle, so it's never in the same place. They don't tell you where it is, and you don't get an alarm sticker for your window. The thief doesn't know it's there, and probably couldn't find it if they did. If your vehicle is stolen, you report the VIN to the police, and they broadcast a signal out on towers all over the city. Your car picks up the signal, and starts up a homing beacon. Police cars in the city all have LoJack direction finders, and they can pinpoint your car. This is why LoJack is only available in certain parts of the country -- the police in your area have to be equipped for it. Of course, you have to report the car stolen before the system is activated.

There are other systems too, such as TeleTrak or OnStar, that work via a GPS receiver, and a central monitoring office that can track your vehicle and communicate it's location to the police. These systems usually have a monitoring fee (LoJack is a one-time purchase). However, with that monitoring, they can start tracking your vehicle as soon as it reports itself stolen, before you find out about it. They may provide additional benefits too, I know OnStar can unlock your car if you lock yourself out, but OnStar is only available if it's offered as a factory option (it started as a GM thing, but now Audi, Volvo, Acura, and some others are signing on.)

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

hm.. interesting..

'03 G35 Sedan: ivory/aero body/sport/sunroof
Warning: Objects in mirror are FASTER than they appear