I noticed that on mazda's website when you are doing the option to build your own vehicle with options... there is an option that has a remote start for around $250 if i remember correctly... I actually would like to purchase one of these! anyone have any pros/cons of them?
I cannot find any info on the range for these... but i like the fact that it looks just like the factory key remote, but just a little bit longer! I thought about aftermarket, but then I hear all of these problems of the car not functioning properly because of them. So i hope mazda has the remote as a good solution...
anyone able to provide feedback on this product? anyone have it?[/b]
I'll have to take exception to the comment that it's "junk". I have a 2006 6s and had the dealer install the factory remote start when I took delivery of the car. NO salesman pushed me into the system, I was the one who wanted it when I bought the car. In my experiences the factory units usually are a neater and more trouble-free addition to a car than some of the aftermarket ones, which is why I decided to go that route.
So far my impressions are:
-------------------------
Pros:
Excellent range of the transmitter, you can literally start it from a half block away. Not sure why you'd need more than that anyway.
Very Reliable. It has never failed to start the vehicle on the first try.
It intergrates into the factory immobilizer/anti-theft system seamlessly. No need for stashing a key somewhere under the dash to fool the immobilizer, no headaches with one thing or another not working properly. It's a Mazda accessory installed by a Mazda dealer, no finger-pointing between dealer and aftermarket installer if or when there is a problem. And as a dealer installed option at the time of new car delivery it is covered under the new car warranty.
Cons:
Biggest gripe and this apparently started with the 2006+ models - When running the car on the remote start, the door unlock feature only unlocks the driver's door. I did not know this until after the unit was installed, it's mentioned in the back of the owner's manual, which you don't see until after the system is installed. I consider this a major pain in the rear end and have been in contact with the company that makes the system. They tell me there is a solution for the problem and I'm waiting for a tech guy to confirm this, more info as it becomes available.
You have no configuration options like how long the car runs on the remote, which is 10 minutes. That's usually enough even in the cold midwestern winters here to get it comfortably warm inside.
Price - installed it was just over $400. I did get my selling dealer to match the Mazdastuff's website price for the unit ($245) and the rest was labor. I'm told something like the Viper system would be cheaper and with their immobilizer interface option now available would work correctly.
If I had it to do all over again I would probably research the Viper system a little more before making my decision. If Code Systems ( the company that makes the OEM unit for Mazda ) can provide a fix for the driver's door unlock only annoyance I think I could say I'm completely satisfied with the system.
Hopefully this helps you make your decision, but once again I have to take exception to the gentleman who calls it "junk". I don't know exactly what he does for Mazda but I think it's an unfair evaluation of the system.
