Supplemental Alarm System

I personally think your dealer if full of crap. Who starts adding alarm systems onto brand new cars on the lot? He may be right about glass break orr bumping it might not set it off I do not know. However, I have insurance if someone takes it. I know my trailblazer has passive factory security, it beeps when i lock it, and the alarm has only ever sounded once andthat was whrn I opened the door with the key in the door instead of the fob unlocking it.

 

Is there a standard factory alarm on Prius? I thought I had to purchase the VIP alarm system to get one?

 

Being the contrary cuss that I am, lets ask another question.

Who would steal a Prius to joyride in?

The radio is not going to fit any other car. 15" wheels are going to be a dime a dozen. Unless you leave valuables in plain sight, what will attract car thieves to a Prius?

Years ago I got my daughter a pink tool kit. (she wanted a toy toolkit, I bought her a real toolkit) Oddly, the boyfriends ALWAYS brought back the pink tools. I currently carry a pink Dell laptop to customer sites (It was $50 cheaper on eBay than a grey laptop) Not only will fewer folks bid on a pink laptop, fewer will steal one either.

I suspect the Prius is the pink laptop of cars.



pink dell | eBay

 

I'm not concerned about theft as much as I am vandals. Did you notice I'm in philly? I need something to chase the kids away when they roughhouse next to the car, which is a regular way of life here today.

 

The alarm is not standard in any of the models, although the engine immobilizer is.

 

I believe the dealership is probably charging you a lot to add a glass breakage sensor.

BUT..in this day and age? And with a Prius? My concern wouldn't be so much with someone stealing the vehicle, as it would be with people breaking glass and stealing things from your vehicle.

In my personal opinion, an impact sensor as part of your alarm system IS a nice thing.

Personal Ancedote, I owned a small pick-up years ago, inwhich I had installed an alarm system with a glass breakage and impact sensors. You can't prove a negative..but I never was broken into, and it had a nice and visible stereo inside.

Also, one day I heard the alarm go off...and went outside to investigate. I "caught" a guy that had clipped my bumper. He looked sheepish and guilty. Again, I'm NOT sure, but I got the feeling had I NOT heard the alarm and come to investigate, he might of just drove off and I would of never known who damaged my bumper. As it was? I got his insurance information and HE paid for the damage he did. I'm not sure that would of happened had I not had impact sensors as part of my alarm system.

I think perhaps the dealership gave you the Ol' Dealership mark-up, BUT I would advocate for glass breakage sensors and impact sensors. They are an asset IMO.