I bought my TL from a used dealership and she needs significant work. One of my first priorities is definitely to get my alarm/keyless entry issues resolved. One of the two previous owners lost the remotes, and I only have one chipped key and one door key.

I went to a local shop and was asking about an aftermarket keyless entry and alarm system (preferably Viper because that's all I've ever dealt with). He actually recommended that I call the Honda dealership and just replace the factory remotes for <$100 a pop.

I was a bit taken back. I was thinking of spending $300-$400 in his shop and he was trying to send me elsewhere. Is there a reasonable explanation for this? Is it better to just keep my factory set up or what?

Just looking for some opinions. If your opinion is to go aftermarket, I'd love to hear some suggestions. (No remote start - have a 6mt.) Thanks!

 

Since you have the keys which is more expensive to replace. you could just pick up a set of the remotes online and re-program it yourself for much cheaper than $100 each. Instructions are on the net as well.

 

It really depends on what you're after. For example: basic protection or advance protection. If you're after advance protection with all the extra add on(s) like: 2-way paging, 1mile transmitting range, & ect. Then I would go aftermarket. The only two alarms with remote starts that's made for manual that I know of is: Compustar and Viper. I know there's more brands out there also, but those are the two I know of. My brother has the Viper 5901 on his Scion TC manual which the remote start won't start up in gear. I myself have the Viper 5901 on both my old car and my TL and they have been great thus far.

 

Thanks for the input! I honestly don't know what I want. Part of me wants to order the key fobs and just get it over with - but the Too Cool for School in me wants something special. I just didn't know why he would turn away my business. I thought maybe there was something to it, ya know?

 

Np , just remember that with an aftermarket alarm. You will be spending more money since you will need: the immobilizer bypass and they usually charge a little extra to add more features. IMO it was worth it to me, because spending all this money on my car and having just the factory alarm just wouldn't do it for me. And a plus for aftermarket alarms is that you can always add more stuff onto it like: tilt sensor, back-up battery, glass break sensor, & so on.

 

I have the compustar on my car and i had one on my previous car. My next car will also have one......... 2 Way remotes are the way to go. If you have the iPhone you can the DRONE AP and control your remote from any Celular covered area... Protect your Acura!

 

Bumping this thread. I'm about 90% sure that I want to go with a full aftermarket alarm and keyless entry system. Viper is what we used in the past for the Infiniti, so I feel pretty confident in that particular brand.
I found this setup (Viper 1002) on Amazon. Any opinions? TIA