I want your guys' opinion on getting a remote start for my 1993 SSE.

What kind of systems do you guys have?
With or without security systems?
Should I trust some 18 year old punk to install it in my car, or take it to a reptuable shop? What have been your experiences in installations?

Do our cars use the VATS/PATS system? The guy at CircuitCity insists that I have a chip in my key, and I insist that I dont. Who is right?

What kind of config do you recommend for the key fob?

Thanks guys

yup, you have a resistor in your key, he is right and the system is VATS, you have to bypass that if you want a remote started installed. I would look at any product that is made by Directed Electronics, they pretty much own the industry in the remote starter/alarm area

doesn't seem like u trust the "18 year old punk" that much, so i wouldn't have him touch your car lol.

I would have it taken to a reputable shop, {guarantee/warranty preferred} but also call around for the best price. also keeping in mind that different systems have different features and ranges etc. So ask about that too.

I know some people have had problems with remote start. Twister is right now. I'm moving this to the proper section for better visibility.

I really dont trust the Compustar models anymore. When I took mine into the garage, the mechanic said he had several other cars with the same model that took a crap. I had a Remote/Alarm combo on mine. Though, when I had mine installed they used a little black box to bypass the Vats thing, meanwhile on my fathers Explorer last winter when he got his installed, they actually used a backup Explorer key we had, to get around the Vats system. Two different procedures and his is still working

I have a model from www.autocommand.com installed on my 94. I did it myself and I'm not super handy by any means. It wasn't too hard, just find the correct color wire. Fishing the power wire through to the battery was the biggest pain. I ended up drilling a hole through the firewall to do it. Do that at your own risk.

Mine also has the key with the resistor in it. For that you need their security module, that costs around $25. You just test the resitance of your key and then dial that resitance into the module, so that was easy too.

I did it in steps, first the starter so I could be sure I hooked that up correctly, and then the security module. Until you have the security module installed, when you remote start, your security light will come on until you insert the key, then it will start up without turning. That was enough for testing purposes anyway.

www.astroflex.com

great range, two way communications, AAA battery(nice for when you need one).
More bells and whistles than I could use. Replaced my factory fob. Easy install. The only problem is you have to get it from a dealer. Hard to find in the wild.

something that'* similar to having keyless entry, but in addition also starts your car without you manually having to do it.

thanks for the input guys

and it'* not that I dont trust the 18 year old punk, I'm just very worrisome about electrical work being done by some guy who "thinks" he knows what he is doing. i worked at hh gregg (similar to best buy, in the indy/cincy/atlanta region) and they had one installer that kicked arse, however the other one (18 years old, btw) kept fooking everything up. I just want to make sure that when I do get this installed, that I wont have electrical gremlins lying around