Do you guys (cabriolet owners esp) bother installing an alarm system in your Porsches

[89 Speedy]

Just wondering if I should go thru the expense . . . I generally park the car in as safe a situation as possible. I'm actually more concerned about dents and scratches than theft. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance for all the words of wisdom.

Wes

[v9ff]

I would if I had a 1989 Speedster!! But not on my 1984 Cab... no one wants it. heh heh heh I even leave the top down all the time when I park 'er. Depends where you live too. Kapolei was pretty safe for me, but now I'm in Diamond Bar. Vegas might be a different story.

Aloha... A Hui Ho!

PS- I probably would install an alarm though, if I had central locking. Then again, all you have to do is reach over the door top since the top is mostly down anyway.

[911boost]

I have an aftermarket alarm system in my 86 cab, if it did not have a keless entry system that ties into the central locking I would trash it. Don't waste your time. No one listens to them. Mine does disable the fuel pump and starter and thats nice, but still not worth it....

Bill

[cicsprog]

I have a factory alarm in my 88. To activate, the key is in driver's door jam - NOT. Never use it. I'm only a weekend driver of the P-Car which makes my need for an alarm low.

Jason
88 Cab

4th and 26 yards...what?

[masraum]

I installed an alarm in my targa originally partially for the central locking. That has since gone bad. I generally don't lock the car, but I do arm the alarm, if they set the alarm off the car won't start.

[anh911]

I agree with Bill, no one listens to'em. I have an '89 and it's passive when you lock the car it's on. I don't even know for sure that it works, the blinking red leds are probably worth it as a deterrent. I've been thinking of adding a keyless entry, not for security, just convenience.

[911boost]

I guessit just depends on how you drive the car. Are you worried about your stereo? Do you park it a lot with the top down, there are a bunch of factors. Do a search, I think there was a post not too long ago about audible car alarms not even being allowed in NYC. Mine is also motion sensitive as well, so if it is armed and I bump into it in the garage it goes off, it can become real annoying....

Bill

[GrindingGears]

no, i have insurance. take the bastard i say, then i have a reason to get a vanagon.

[kstar]

One of my former 911 Cabs (a C2) was saved from a thief via a hidden pre-start button. Stealing a 911 (at least the earlier models) is as easy as popping out the ignition cylinder then using a flat-head screwdriver as a key - the bad guys know this as well.

Such a hidden button is a must have in any 911, IMHO. The money, time and trouble saved with such a simple set-up is well worth it!

I would be very worried about theft, especially a Cab, if such a set-up was not installed.

[waweeks]

PO had one installed in my cab - it also has the factory 89' blinking red LED lock knobs. also has a motion sensor, which may keep people out of the car when the top's down b/c it beeps if it detects motion. agree with anh911, the led's may be a deterent and the aftermarket alarm is nice for keyless entry, but i've got zero expectations of the thing every stopping a good thief who really wants the car.

ps - if anyone in this thread has any idea of how in the hell that 89' factory alarm works and how to test/set it off, please send me a PM.

[Joe Bob]

I have an aftermarket one....has the radar/motion detector when someone tries to reach in......I set it with the top down. Never lock it with the top up ....too easy to have them go thru the roof.

[Hetmann]

I had an Ungo box in mine when I bought it. After enduring several mysterious "problems" I yanked every bit of it out. No more problems. I think the install is a big part of your happiness with an alarm. I wouldn't trust it to any hack at the car stereo store.

[JeremyD]

I just insure it and make sure I have replacement cost insurance - I can sleep at night...

[Adam]

I've got the factory alarm in the '89 Cab. I had it tied into an aftermarket immobiliser, which incorporates keyless entry. It appears very purposeful (flashes the indicators etc) and the little blinking lock tops add to the mystique of a high-tech anti-theft system.

Actually, I'm hoping it only fools the stupid theives. The smart ones will just take the car if they really want it. If it's going to get stolen, I don't want to see it again... especially all trashed...

[vash]

hell no! i dont need the extra electrical problems. the regular problems are enough for me.

[kstar]

Insurance is great, no doubt, and certainly the first thing to do. But after having an '84 coupe stolen and having to court an insurance company for a couple of months and all the other associated hassles, it sure makes sense to install a simple hidden kill-switch type theft deterrent.

In California, you have to wait 30 days, before the actual insurance claim is made, to see if the car is recovered. That's not a fun 30 days after your "baby" has been taken.

For me, one car stolen and then one car saved with a simple and effective method, it's a no brainer.

Good Luck!

Kurt

[JeremyD]

Kurt - I made money on my last car that was totalled - I guess it all depends on the insurance co.

[DavidI]

Alarms are not a deterrent at all. If someone wants to steal your car, they will. I would recommend a hidden kill switch. The club and other anti-theft devices that connect your steering wheel to the brake pedal do not work either. The bad guy can simply notch the steering wheel and remove it!

[Por_sha911]

I've got the factory alarm. I figure if it's there, might as well use it. Can't hurt. I really wanted a newer system that had a remote beeper to notify me of the dirty deed but someone said "OK, so are you going to go over there and stop the guy and get shot?" I guess it would be nice if the alarm also had GPS. Does anyone know of one like that? I think a hidden kill switch is a no-brainer.

[MonkeyBoy]

I didn't have one on my 90 C4 - I think the factory one was disabled. People just assume that Porsches have alarms.