FIRST THING TO CHECK WHEN YOU BUY a new/used car with an aftermarket Alarm system or RS (Remote Start) is to make sure it isn't in Valet mode.
@jtrosky Factory installed things are great but limited. Funny thing is there are many many people out there in the world that get a Car with Factory Alarm even with factory Remote start systems that still go and get an Aftermarket Alarm or RS.
One of the biggest issue I have seen people complain about is having to many Remotes or NO remotes at all when they buy a used car. I remember last year someone came in the Shop, Said I just bought this car and I would like to have the Aftermarket system Removed please. I was told your shop was the best to have it done. I told him that I would be willing to remove it for him but could I ask why! He said because it already comes with Remote start and alarm from the factory and the dealer that he bought it from said the aftermarket system was not offering him any benefits. In my business I am willing to never turn down business, So I wanted to double check because I knew the car well. The Aftermarket Alarm/Remote Start system was installed in my shop with a new stereo system that took the better of 3 days to install everything in this car when the last owner owned it.
After i was done with this man and his new to him car he went away happy and with a better understanding of the system all the extra features that it offered above the OEM system. (I did a Demo of both systems so he could see how the Aftermarket out preformed the OEM. I did Remove the 00 cabling to the Trunk, all the RCA's and 12 ga Speaker wire that was ran though out the car. Removed the built into trunk custom quad 12 box and wire to the missing subs. Gave him instructions on how to use the Aftermarket system and gave him the better understanding that all the remotes were just a Plus from the past owner to giving up all the remotes from a car and system they don't own anymore. Only remotes he needed was the aftermarket and the rest are just to be stored at home as backups if needed.
One of the biggest issue with Aftermarket Systems is the Person that puts them in to start with don't for what ever reason leave info about the installed system when they sell the car. Maybe also don't leave the Remotes or could be warn off buttons and so on, This then makes the dealer or new buyer not understanding what is in it and how it works.
I have removed systems in the past because the old owner didn't give the remotes to the system when it was sold and seems to not work. Some of these people have been so fed up that they didn't care about what it was and a few I had the pleasure of removing had been systems that cost over a Grand to have installed. One of them with Features that were installed for dual way window control, Sunroof with auto close for rain. Keyless entry without fob, Amp Rack control with Keypad and remote, Trunk pop with power up and down, Extended range over a mile Ant, 2 way remote control. It almost took as much time taking it out as it did adding it. Again another system my shop installed. I offered them new remotes. I even added the Remote to the system so the new owner could see what it had to offer. However he was willing to pay the 400 to have it all removed then the 40 or (80) for the Remote(s) and I wasn't going to turn away free money. One thing we don't do is take the items removed without the owner requesting to leave it behind. 400 seems like a lot of money for something to be removed but there was a lot of custom work to add the system and even more time to Remove the system, When we were done my installer that helped me Remove it said he didn't think we charged enough for the Removal.
Most issues that I have seen is the old owner took parts of an install and in turn makes it not work or not work right. It was left in Valet mode so no options other then auto locking and unlocking worked, So the new owner gets the feeling that it isn't working right. Also in some cases it was just a bad install, Done by maybe the old owner and wasn't done right. bad connections or things just didn't work right for the new owner. So they have it removed. Some people are set in a way that they only want XYZ brand systems and bring in a car with a Totally nice working well installed system, Even have been more expensive systems, Have it removed and the new one of the brand they like installed. For no other reason then Brand. With paying extra labor for removing the old system. Some people will even say that it don't work right as a way to make them or their other half feel justified in having a new one installed.
At times I hear others talk about this didn't work, It was a POS and wants a new one. I have even had a FEW more then I can count really that I had to Re-Install for a customer because they did it, or a friend did it and it don't work or don't work right. There are to many wires laying around and wants it to look more stock and when done right hidden so you can't even tell anything was added. There are many reasons. However in most every case that I had to Remove a unit I put one back in. While a New install some people don't want to deal with it because of some of the extra cost it can be to fix things... One of my jokes years ago was if I had to install it and you wanted to watch I would charge 3 or 4 times the money because of the extra time and headache I would have to endure lol... If I had to fix another persons install with your hardware. Sadly it is 2 times the cost of doing a system of ours. IT may not seem right as most of the parts are there, Installed, working or not I don't leave it in the car at any point so I really would have to Un-Install it and set it up for the Install and then do the install.
Not everything aftermarket is bad. There is a list of features that make having an Aftermarket system put in a car new or old that is really up to what the owner of the car wants for Options. How about the ability to see what the Temp of the car inside and outside is!? Turbo Timers, Pit Stops, Manual transmission mode, Compatible with gas and diesel engines, Windows up. 2 Way with Window Reminders, Valet mode, GPS Tracking, 1 Remote for Multi cars. The 06 has a Different system then my other Impalas but cost more then the other 2 systems put together. It had factory RKE or Alarm as some people call it... But Really an OEM system isn't much of an alarm... Can't break into one of my cars today or in the past. Some had only Shock and door trunk and hood protection, some had + Proximity protection if it has a sun roof or Convertible. Anti Jacking so someone couldn't steal your 4000 or more in Rims and Tires. Rolling codes so everytime the system sets or turns off the system it is from a different Channel. Anyway there are many many features that are not found in any OEM system.
Just because your car is set up to not start if your key isn't the right one. Don't mean it won't turn off the OEM so called alarm and they can steal all your things in the car. With an Aftermarket system, If it don't turn off with REMOTE it will be little harder to shut it up. Brings people attention to your belongings and in most cases will keep them safe.
Go out and Tap on your OEM alram car, one that will set off the alarm say if you open the Trunk with the key without turning off the alarm like the 03 Impala was set up with. You could break out the glass and it wouldn't make a sound. Not the case with a Good Installed aftermaket alarm RS. Tap on the glass it will warn the person first, if it happens again or is hard to start with Alarm goes off. 2 way system will send your remote a message and tells you what the problem is. 1 way system warns if is double guard or full alarm if 1 stage.
Sorry not trying to Thread Jack.... Just feel all the info should be out there about the Pros and Cons of any OEM over Aftermarket..
James