Hey guys. I just bought a 2010 Fit and I opted to get the "remote car starter and alarm" with it. They charged me $500 for it.

However they installed a 3rd party system, not the official Honda one. When I asked about it, they told me the following:

1. Honda car starters have lots of problems, thats why they installed a 3rd party
2. I asked them if they simply do not install official Honda starters, they said they don't because of all the problems and only install 3rd party ones no matter hwat

I got my car about a week ago. What do you think? Did I just get ripped off? I didn't think much about it since he seemed to have a lot of reasons, but then today I was thinking "why would Honda, a giant company, push a problematic car starting system"?

Personally I thought I was getting the official Honda one and was disappointed that I got a 3rd party one.

Think I can argue to get the official Honda one? Or is he telling the truth, and they really do have problems?

 

Did you get the Sport model?

I looked at Handa-accessories.com, and they list an alarm system that activates if the doors are opened while it's armed... and that's exactly what the standard factory alarm in the Sport does. The instructions on the kit list it as an add-on for the base model only.

Regardless, the Honda system is marked for a $165 retail. It doesn't look like it would take professionals more than an hour, two hours tops, to install.

BTW, the Honda "alarm" is a crappy one. It doesn't respond to window glass or jolts, only doors being unlocked/opened. It's barely more than a small extra added to the keyless entry system, and very 1993.

 

Sorry to say this but... YES, you got raped.

RF-P2W9000-SS (MAXIT) installed with the added tilt sensor would be in the $600 ballpark and this is as good as it can get.

 

That they have 2011 Fits available? What color did you get?

 

Yes - please tell what are the color choices? Does your dealer have some on the lot?

 

I would say they ripped you off. I would go back and explain that you bought a new Honda and made the mistake of assuming any accessory you might discuss would naturally be a Honda accessory as you were buying a brand new car. What do you think would happen if you moved or were traveling in another state and something went wrong with it? Do you think a dealer would honor an after market part under the Honda warranty? Of course not. You have every right to expect Honda parts on a brand new Honda you purchased.

Be polite but firm. Tell them you're sorry they misunderstood you but you thought an person of average intelligence would know that you would want a Honda part on a new Honda car. If they don't give you the response you want ask to speak to the manager of the dealership and repeat. If that doesn't work, go to Honda and complain. Also, if the dealership belongs to the Better Business Bureau tell them you will take it up with the BBB and see what they have to say.

As an after thought, you can also tell them that the Honda part might possibly not be as good in quality as the one they installed but what is the Honda warranty for? If you have a problem with the Honda part you would expect it to be repaired/replaced under your warranty.

 

On the Honda website it is listed as a Honda Remote System.
FYI
I checked cost of one via my dealer's website & the cost installed is $524--so price wise that is likely standard dealer charge.

Honda Remote Engine Starter System
With just the push of two buttons, the remote emits a signal to the receiver unit installed in your Honda and commands the vehicle to both start and stop. Not only can you start your Honda knowing it is protected at all times, but it also provides the power in your hand to warm up your vehicle in the winter and cool it down in the summer.

 

That's the remote start, not the alarm. The sports include the alarm standard, and all Fits should have the smart key to prevent theft. The audible alarm is probably not as effective as it once was thanks to years of old people setting them off trying to unlock their doors.

 

If only there was an option to remove factory alarm... that would have been $300-500 saved

 

i dont think you got raped (since you did use the dealer who charges premium price), but whoever's telling you that the factory alarm has problems needs to be re-educated.

regardless, factory accessories are expensive. if you're willing to pay a lot of $$$ for a factory remote starter installed, that's great. but chances are, people that buys these econoboxes have a budget in mind and $500 is probably the max one would pay for an alarm system with remote start.

honestly, i would not pay more than $250 for a remote starter installed with tax.

 

^^ this is why he/she got raped by the dealer... $500 for an after market remote start only and knowing dealers... I bet they installed sub-par units to maximize profits.

They dont make much profit if they installed original honda... aftermarket systems is where they make a killing.

 

Yeah I got the sport model. OK well I'm glad u said this. At least what he told me matches up with what you said too.

 

Mistype I actually got a 2010, sorry.

 

yah, but i suppose you do get the convenience since you can get it all done at one place. is it worth the extra $250+? not sure, it's up to the buyer. i know i have better things to do with $250... that's a lot of bigmacs.

dealers will almost always cost more and this is why i install options on my own after buying the car.