Anyone installed the car alarm on their RX-8??
I'm still thinking where should I get the car alarm. should I just get it from Mazda?

Once you get the computer chip on your key coded, the only way the car can be started is with that key, so I'm not really sure what extra benefit a car alarm will give you. Maybe as a deterrance from vandalism yes, but it seems like the only way someone will be able to drive away with your car will be to put it on the back of a flatbed truck. Even then, they will still need the key to start it...

Well, vandalism is a big problem, I konw a lot of people scratching other people's car. It's happen to my car before as well.
Also, for my previous car, someone break my window for nothing, someone break my sister's car and stolen some coins and the service booklet. Recently, someone break into my girlfriend's and steal the airbags and CD player, she just park her car in her garage. She live in an apartment in Wollstonecraft, is a security carpark with double garage.

I think alarm is quite important this day, since there are more and more people try to break into someone's car and stealing. It is much more than the people try to steal the car, since they know a lot car got immobiliser now.

wth? they stole the airbags? that's just low.

well, because airbags worth quite a lot of money.

I heard there will be more and more people stealing airbags now.

Be careful everyone!!

I'd go for the tracking system type. Who's had experience with these... ? good or bad?

damn didn't know airbags are worth that much (to a theif) .. let alone worth the hassle to steal them.

i'll probably end up getting a pager alarm for my 8 when i get it next year.

probably the boomerang 2002alpha or something.

How about an "AIR BAGS WILL DETONATE ON FORCED ENTRY" sticker or etch on the windows?

...ujust a thought

There was a great anti theft device in a Lotus I saw in a Bond movie once ... :D

I have a Madza fitted car alarm on my Red Leather Pack RX8.

The actual alarm that Mazda provide is supplied by Wynns Security. I am not worried about theft, but I do think the alarm would be useful to deter broken windows / stolen tires / stolen air bags etc. Besides, I usually have about 30 CDs scattered around the various bolt holes in the car.

About the alarm itself : If I open the boot release on the keyring without unlocking the car first, the alarm goes off. I am used to it now, but it was a little annoying at first.

dbb

can I ask u a question
how's your remote look like??

got 3 buttons ( lock, unlock and release boot )
or 4 buttons??

My alarm remote has the standard three buttons.

Lock arms, unlock disarms, the boot release doubles as a boot
release and a distress alarm (ie. I open the boot, the alarm
goes off). I could depress the lock button for a few seconds to set the alarm off, but the boot release is so much quicker ;-)

so you want to fend off people scratching your car? Meaning, once they start scratching it, the alarm will go off? damage is done.

I know I can't stop damage from soccer mums opening
their Tractor doors into the side of the car in shopping centres.

I know I can't stop jealous WRX owners keying the car.

But I can be alerted at night if the car alarm goes off when at work or at home by someone trying to take the tyres or smashing the windows to see what they might find in one of the 83 storage compartments in the car.

i see your point, im just trying to justify $2000 on an alarm that I personally don't see much benefit from. If you leave things out to tease people into wanting to break in, then thats asking for it. I also feel that if the car is going to be stolen, it wont be seen again..i cant see kids stealing it to drive home from a party and dumping it.


I'm thinking about installing a strobe light as a deterent..

$2000? Who quoted you that?

City Mazda in Adelaide fitted mine for a number I can't quite remember, but which was certainly under about $800.