Hopefully someone can share their wisdom and experience with me on this one:

Right now I'm searching for a basic aftermarket alarm/keyless system to install in my E. I heard some have used the Viper systems without problems but do not know whether there's a specific model I should be getting.

And has anybody had one installed in the SoCal area and can refer me? I would very much prefer to have it installed by someone who has already installed it an E. And preferably not by people at Best Buys or Circuit City (but if you've heard otherwise, please let me know)

Thanks in advance!

I'm in the same boat. I tried to go to this alarm shop I know that sells units for dirt cheap and does a professional job, but that was 10+ yrs ago. Today, it's the same owner, the prices are still the lowest, but the technician now is a moron and I won't let him near my new Element. So my search continues; I do know of the best tint shop in the San Fernando Valley area.

OK, after doing lots of research I found two shops that carry two great alarms for great prices.

Best Sound
Hollywood/LA
323-466-9944
DEI Valet 554R
http://www.directed.com/security/valet/val_2way.asp
http://www.directed.com/security/valet/images/554R.jpg
2way remote and DEI quality and name
$320 installed

A-1 Car Stereo
Lawndale/LA
310-371-7878
http://www.compustar.org/products/2WSS.html
http://i24.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/c4/7f/14_1.JPG
2way remote with 6x the range of other 2ways
$500 installed

All prices are minus extra labor/parts for remote start, windows, trunk, etc.

The DEI is a great alarm, but the Compustar is the Ferrari of all car alarms. Their technology extending the range of the 2way remote is what you're paying for.

WOAH! Those are like high-end security products to me. But I'll definitely consider installing those systems if I begin to feel my E is that vulnerable to theft.

Thanks for doing the research, still! I'm glad you could refer me to a couple places for the install.

How did you determine these were good places, btw? Through friends or word of mouth?

And let me know what you think of the service and the system once you get it done!

Thanks again!

Do yourself a favor and save some money. We all know car alarms are pointless - noone even looks when one goes off, and if a thief wants your car, its gonna be gone regardless of an alarm. I have the OEM keyless entry which is very handy. It installs in minutes check the DIY forum.

8)

Yeah, I've thought about just doing the keyless as well because of teh futility of alarm systems nowadays. :D And I figure if I'm going to get an alarm, it's gonna be one of those paging versions so I can at least run to my car in time and bash the skull of the @$$**** trying to break into my car with my aluminum bat that I carry around in my E nowadays. :twisted:

So it's a toss-up right now...go cheap out of convenience...or go expensive and have the opportunity to hurt someone. hahaha.

Still, thanks for the input thus far.