Hey, I was just wondering if anyone could offer advice or point me in the right direction - for insurance purposes I want to get a security system for my 03 Rex, but the dealership wanted $500 for the security upgrade (w/the remote start and all). Since it's only $136 or so online, I though I'd install it myself.

Problem is, I can't find directions anywhere. I presume the kit comes with instructions on install, but I wanted to see if any members out there did it - how much of a pain was it? I'd be curious to hear any opinions/advice out there.

thanks

 

Long story short:
My recommendation, if you haven't pulled apart the dash yet and can't easily get a wiring diagram, let them put it in and beat them up for any non-working challenges.
The rest of the story
Can't be sure if the system your dealer offers is the same as mine, but... I have an '01 OBW LTD and didn't want to pay the $250 for the dealer installed remote starter (wasn't worried about the double upgrade to have an alarm). I picked up the system through the Dlr parts dept for $85 (could have bought online for ~ $70, figured the potential dealer support was worth the extra cost). I grew up wrenching on cars and have a degree in ME, so I thought I would be fine.
The system had instructions, but no specific wiring details for my car. I could find a 'free' wiring diagram anywhere, and the dealer apparently couldn't loan me their repair manual page for a photocopy . They did send me to the independent installer that puts the systems in, and they buy from! I guess I could have saved some $$ had I known where they buy it, but they ARE in the business to sell stuff. The installer gave me a one page printout that equated the starter system wires with the OBW dash wiring color codes.
I followed it and the remote locks don't work on the new remote, nor do I have the ability to turn off with the remote. For now, I just carry two remotes. When it gets warmer, I'll pull the thing down and try again.

 

Bleuquila,

The standerd factory alarm comes with the installation instructions.

It (standerd) alarm does NOT have remote start.

Shotgun

 

Well I only just picked up my car from the dealer some 2 hours ago (Wheeee!!!) and so you know, I was signing some 500zillion pages of stuff. Financing, warranty, options, my soul, so on and so forth, and I just wanted to get out and go driving - and somehow in the process I got strongarmed into agreeing that yes, I needed a security system, and that since NO SUBARU DEALERSHIP ANYWHERE will touch a system that isn't theirs, that I should really just get theirs put in. And when I was like "yes, but $500 when it costs $136?" he was all ::scorn and disbelief:: "what?!? They must be pulling your leg!"

sigh. Note, this isn't the guy who sold me my car, apparently he's just the pressure them into options stand-in. If it was like that the rest of time I would have gone somewhere else.

Anyway, I ended up agreeing to have Subaru put the system in themselves. Which I'm still sort of upset about, but then again - there are plenty of others things I can mess around with myself later, and I'm pretty keen on not having it stolen. The important thing here is that I have a new WRX!! (yes, 5MT) And oh man, best car ever.