I think we discussed alarms in detail a while back under the thread "Explorers Vioalted!" but I'll give you my thoughts on the subject anyway. I think an alarm is a great feature and no car/SUV worth anything should ever be without one. Most alarms nowadays come with the start kill function, so when the alarm is going off the car can not be started, either with a key or hot-wiring it. They can steal your stereo, steal your CD's, steal some tools from the back, but they won't be able to steal the most expensive thing and that of course is the vehicle itself. Of course a pro will find a way around this starter kill, hey its what they do for a living right? but if it keeps some kid who wants to take my modified Explorer for a joy-ride, it'll prevent him from doing so and that makes it worth the $200 or whatever a good alarm costs (my current Explorer came with an alarm pre-installed). Also in most states you have comprehensive insurance coverage (as I do) having an alarm w/starter kill reduces your insurance rates, and they wouldn't reduce your insurance rates if these cars were stolen the same amount. There have been numerous studies that show that a car thief will walk by and if he sees the flashing red light, unless your car is something he really wants to use his time stealing, he'll just pass on to the next car WITHOUT the alarm - it's much easier to steal and dont' ahve to worry about the vehicle not starting, etc. One day cars will come with Retina scanners or fingerprint scanners which prevent anyone other then those authorized from driving vehicles, you might think I'm crazy but you know I'm right. I just hate the idea of someone stealing my Explorer and because it is so high and highly modified, etc. it doesn't really "blend in" with the cars around it, which helps and hurts, at least if they say on the news "looking for a hi-jacker who stole a modified black explorer with 4 sets of aftermarket lights, oversized tire, custom rear bumper, winch on the front, PIAA and Mickey Thompson logos, etc. it sounds more descriptive then "a blue honda accord, 91-94, possibly a hatchback"... you get the idea Dead Link Removed. I'd say get one and get all the features you can, but I like alarms, others don't Dead Link Removed.
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Matt Adams
94 Explorer 4-door nick-named "Tippy"
http://bart.is-s.com/~explorers/explorer/explorer.html
