Security System (alarm) Upgrade

[lazysheep]

i'm placing an order for a 2008 prius on monday. i'm going to get package #2, but still debating whether or not i should buy the security system upgrade. from what i've read in the archives, the alarm upgrade basically only consists of a siren (correct me if i'm wrong)? if so, thats a lot to pay for a damn siren. not only that, u don't even get a glass breakage sensor / motion sensor (thats another 110 bucks, which u have to install yourself and have the dealer activate).

for that amount of money, i can buy a top of the line clifford alarm with a motion sensor and tilt sensor. however, i'm not sure how an aftermarket system would work with the smart keys. does anyone here have a package #2 with an aftermarket alarm?

does anyone know if i can buy the alarm kit online? i tried googling, but came up short.

[Bill Merchant]

Welcome to PriusChat, lazysheep!

All Prius come with an engine immobilizer and an alarm system, they're pretty hard to steal except on a flat-bed truck. Unless you live in an area where cars are regularly burglarized, save your money, and if you do, consider moving. Adding a GBS, or the dealer can install it, will set off the alarm if someone breaks a window, but that's what insurance is for. There are no locked compartments inside the car. I don't think an after-market alarm system could be added to the Prius alarm system, but it could ride along side.

[Tideland Prius]

to PriusChat!

What Bill means is that all Prius cars have the alarm installed. When you buy the alarm in the package, it's enabled. I'm sure by now you're even more annoyed or shocked at the price of something that already comes with the car. I guess you're paying the technician to enable it. If you know a friendly neighbourhood Toyota tech, they can do it for you if you know what I mean.

[lazysheep]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

to PriusChat!

What Bill means is that all Prius cars have the alarm installed. When you buy the alarm in the package, it's enabled. I'm sure by now you're even more annoyed or shocked at the price of something that already comes with the car. I guess you're paying the technician to enable it. If you know a friendly neighbourhood Toyota tech, they can do it for you if you know what I mean.

thanks for the warm welcome

wow...i am shocked. charging $250 for activating something that's already on the car... i think i'll just save my money and buy some PC decals.

[Tideland Prius]

ye-ah....That's enough for one BT plate or several small items (like decals) at the PC shop.

[Bill Merchant]

As a test, when you get the car, roll down the windows, get out and lock the car, then reach in through an open window and open a door. It's likely the alarm will sound. Many dealers turn it on as a matter of course in delivery preparation.

[grantz]

If the dealer didn't turn it on (mine didn't) is there a way for me to do it?

[rigormortis]

if there gunna charge $250 to connect thier equipment to your prius for 2 minutes to enable the cars alarm, then you might as well get yours moneys worth and perhaps purchase the glass breakage sensor and install it yourself and have them enable the alarm and the glass breakage , or throw in a couple car keys to have them enable

[prius_gt]

I am actually considering adding an aftermarket alarm to my Prius as well. If I go forward with this, I will likely get the new Viper LE 5701 2-way alarm system. Just like other aftermarket alarm systems I've had on Toyota/Lexus vehicles, the aftermarket system will essentially piggy-back onto the stock Immobilizer system.

The thing I haven't figured out yet is how to retain the smart key functionality with an aftermarket alarm system. I want the added benefits of a motion or tilt sensor and windows automation, but don't want to have to arm and disarm the car each time entering/exiting the vehicle. Anybody know a solution to this?

[schifferj]

Originally Posted by prius_gt

I am actually considering adding an aftermarket alarm to my Prius as well. If I go forward with this, I will likely get the new Viper LE 5701 2-way alarm system. Just like other aftermarket alarm systems I've had on Toyota/Lexus vehicles, the aftermarket system will essentially piggy-back onto the stock Immobilizer system.

My wife's Pri has a Karr alarm system installed and it has been a pain in the Kiester. It actually is supposed to piggy back to the existing alarm system and provide some other features. It was "preinstalled" by the dealer and "activated" for a small nominal fee which I now wish I had not paid. It basically "took over" the existing alarm system and deactivated it as verified by a dealer system check and then proceeded to malfunction long and loud upsetting a lot of innocent bystanders. I finally got in touch with a Karr representative (no easy task as it seems none of them return phone calls or messsages left on their phones) and learned how to deactivate the system. I can't remove it myself but at least it's deactivated and the orignial onboard system now works as advertised. I would highly recommend against any aftermarket alarm system on these cars as it seems they are very sensitive to strange electronics.