My wife's car is an 09 Sonata Limited and we are looking to install a remote starter in it before the winter weather hits here in Pennsylvania. Anyone install one yet or have any recommendations as to brands? Any problems with any brand or the installation? We had one installed in her previous car, an 04 Sonata LX, and it worked fine for the most part although there was an small issue with the integration with the built-in security system. The new remote would not arm the factory system so it was a two step process to lock the car. I would like to avoid that this time around. TIA

Well, first off have the remote stater professionally installed... Secondly I recommend Compustar, excellent range! The key is not chipped, you should be fine

I think I was told something similar to that... however, the installer will also tell you that you'll need a factory alarm bypass circuit. That's what I was told.

The installer will need to interface with the factory alarm. At my shop we do alot of Autopage pieces, they tend to have alot of range and very few problems. I would recommend the RS 603 model.

I've always used Directed Products, and almost exclusively the Viper brand. Go to http://www.directed.com/ to compare. I also used a professional install shop. I chose the Viper line because of the range. The current models are all new, so I can't speak to them. I can speak highly of the 160XV and 160XVL.

Thanks for the feedback. The shop I am talking to uses Avital products from Directed Electronics. They have two units, the Avital 4113 installed for $175 or the Avital 4103 installed for $275. http://www.avital.com/Products/RemoteStart.aspx Anyone with any experience with either? Thanks again folks.

This is my 1st post so please bare with me. I had an avital system put in my 2007 sonata the range was ok not the best but you couldn’t tell if the command went threw. I got that one removed and I now have the viper 5901 its amazing you could be up to like 3/4 to a mile away sometimes more and it works and it tells you if the command went threw. And if you have the alarm feature on it if someone or something sets off the alarm the little pager remote starts beeping or vibrating or both. Its really great. As for the price a shop wanted 700 installed but I found it on Amazon for 200.00 and brought it in and they charged about 120.00 to install with alarm and all. It’s a really great system for the sonata .

This post has been edited by Supernova88642: Oct 6 2009, 05:21 PM

I am being quoted on several Viper system remote starters. Prices are all installed.

$259 with 1000 foot range (no trunk release button provided and no panic button provided which is good for finding your car in parking lots)

$349 with 1500 foot range (has trunk release button on fob but no panic button add $20 for panic button)

$359 with one mile range (has all buttons and a bit fancier keyfob)

I am not sure this makes sense but if you want all the buttons the $359 unit is cheaper. This is what I was quoted however. I have an appointment to have this done tomorrow so I can let everyone know what happens. The winter here in New England is supposed to be very cold based on a low "El Niño" that was observed on the west coast (I believe). I am not sure I understand all that but this is what they are saying. Last winter was a pain in the back due to much snow and ice and we had our share of very cold temps also.

Best Buy is considerably cheaper but you have to talk with the Geek Squad and I have had a **** of a time getting them to answer the phone and when they do I get "hold on please". I am calling on a weekday so is it really that busy? I have also read several blogs about Best Buy doing sub standard work and customers having to go back as many as ten times to get things straight! I am going to an alarm and stereo shop that has a good rep and is small enough to give me personal attention (Leather couch, magazines, the whole job takes 2 - 3hours Dunkin Donuts next store etc.)

The dealers will give you a song and dance about protecting your warranty in case you get electrical problems but after talking with the alarm shops they tell me they may have done work for them in the past. The dealer must add several hundred dollars to the job just for having it done on their premises. I remember having my Taurus remote starter done at the dealer back in 2003 and they charged me over $600 dollars and that was the cheaper standard which had a separate remote. If I wanted an integrated remote I would have paid over $700. What a racket. Find a good shop by asking for referrals at your local garages that may not do remote starters work they will tell you who is good around town.

This post has been edited by Sonata_Guy: Oct 7 2009, 04:33 PM

I had the remote starter installed today. I opted for the Viper. The remote which has not only keyless entry but also the truck release and panic button. The distance options were 1000 feet 1500 feet and one mile range, I got the one mile range. Buildings and other obstructions cut down the distance however with the one mile range you can be pretty confident that your car will start. My Viper system also came with a starter kill. They installed a push button and a toggle switch both concealed in the vehicle. The toggle is for a mechanic so that he can turn the system completely off. This helps to eliminate problems and confirms that if the problem still exists and the toggle is off then it is nothing to do with the Viper system. The button is to disable the starter kill switch if so desired. The price turned out to be $354 plus tax. My Viper system came with a lifetime warranty as long as I own the car. The remote warranty is not honored for water damage or abuse. I am sure if I had this done at a dealer the cost would have been 600-700 dollars.

Update.

We decided to go with a different local dealer. We are getting a remote start system installed in the 09 Sonata and my 08 Santa Fe. This dealer is installing a Python model 413 from Directed Electronics, which is nearly identical to the Avital 4103 the previous shop uses (same control module, slightly different looking remotes). The clincher is the Python 413 installed in both vehicles for $360 + tax total! They both are scheduled to be done next week so I'll post an update after the deed is done.

do you know which model remote start you had installed? do you have a picture of the remote? I am interested in getting one installed on my sonata. I'm looking at getting a compustar unit, but my cousin used to have a viper unit on his Supra and it looked cool.