I'm looking for info on remote starters (for my wife's front wheel drive). This car dosen't have a fob with push button start; does this make installing a remote starter more difficult? Are the brand name remote starters better? Is installation of a remote start a DIY job? Who has some experiences (either good or bad)?

Ive put in a few of the designtech autostart systems.
They arent that hard to put in as long as you have a working test light, some apps require a volt meter.

The learing procedure is kinda a hit or miss do it a few times deal but it isnt hard.

The install is covered by the manual fairly well. You will have to find the certain color wires the manual lists, test for power at K-off K-on posistions then splice the wires in. Then you will need to run a few wires under the hood for a jam switch for the hood and one wire to the coil :tack: since the unit will reference the engine rpm signal so it wont try to re start the car while its running.

I'd say it can be a DIY job but dont be in a hurry and expect things not to work on the first try.

I've done a couple of them too, and agree with SSC's76. I'll say it's easy, but it really depends on how much you know under the dash of the car you are working on. I installed one in my boss's 99 burb in a rather short time... only becouse I knew where just about every wire was under there.... did one in an 05 hemi truck...and it took me forever.

I haven't dealt with any brand name/higher end ones, but I did get one of them cheepo Bulldog(i think) ones from Wallyworld. Plug n play finding the correct wires and tapping in on an older car w/o power locks. At first it worked well, range was "ok". Not near as good as most OEM key fobs that unlock the doors. Then I think the parts just degraded and fell apart in regards to the key fobs. Started working intermittenly, etc etc etc. I blame it on the fobs. Spring for a better set or maybe you can upgrade just the fobs?

Anything DEI is good stuff IMO

Does DEI stand for Directed Electronics, Inc? Which brand(s) do they make?

bulldog is the ones I've installed too. I plan on putting one on my longhorn...one day.

Does DEI stand for Directed Electronics, Inc? Which brand(s) do they make?
Yes. Viper, hornet, clifford. They are all the same just a different looking remote. I wouldn't install anything but DEI! Never had a problem. Probably installed about 75 of them!

you don't need to know under the dash wires beforehand if you have good directions that tell you exactly which wires to splice into...

it really shouldn't be that hard to do. i've done plenty of alarms and kill switches, so it's pretty close to that since you splice into the ignition. good luck.