Have anyone try buying the remote starter from Lexus Sewell? I just bought the part from Lexus Sewell, but should I get the lexus dealer install it?(wicked expensive for the labor) or should I find a local place to do it? I try to go to a local place and they said they can install it for me but I would still need lexus to program it....so is it better just to go to lexus and let them do it?

 

It would be better to have the dealer to do it. Mixing two parties into an install may not be great.

 

No disrespect but apparently the Lexus remote in Canada isn't a very good unit. Not a two way and poor reception according to the dealer. So I had the dealer install the top of the line Compustar (9xx) 2 way remote. A lot more expensive to buy, however the two way 1 mile range is what I was after.

Had a third party install a unit when I bought my new Acura TL. Although it functioned fine, from that point on I had battery drain issues with the car. Of course Acura wouldn't even look at the issue because they didn't install the unit and the installer says it's installed properly. Who needs the hassle for a couple hundred bucks?

 

I had remote start installed on my 4gs by the dealer. And it is expensive but worked fine. If you wanted to use a private installer then why buy the remote start from lexus? There are way better choices in the aftermarket that are far superior to the oem solution. I would rate the remote start range on oem to be reasonable but far from good. The only bad thing is it will shutdown engine when you touch the door handle and forces you to restart the car while aftermarket ones can bypass this safety feature. Also something to consider is that oem remote start will only start and stay on for 10 minutes maximum. So if you want the car to be much warmer during subzero temps you cannot increase the running time. Also with aftermarket remote start you can have it installed so that you can still use your factory lexus remote to start it or get the option to remote start your car via smartphone with an app, you can even lock/unlock and pop open a trunk with the app. The app will even show you status of car via phone if your cars alarm is triggered.

 

I would advise not to get a remote from the dealer. I got it from the dealer and installed by them, I don't use it because it works only 10-12 ft at most. I wish I knew that before hand.

 

My RS was installed by dealer but was Audio Vox product. Works well but one thing that it does that may be a minor issue is that with the hood up, the RS still works, A concern for someone working on the car.

 

I have viper smart start and unfortunately the car still shuts off. They tried reprogramming it to no avail. It's pretty annoying...

 

Factory start is not worth the $. Works from ~ 15 yards away and has the crazy shutoff feature that apparently cannot be overridden. Go after market for sure.

 

I was reading this, but only stopped halfway.

If anyone wants to read up on it to see if the new versions will be compatible with the 13-14 GS:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...stall-diy.html

 

I was told that the shutting off thing was a mandated Toyota safety policy and can not be bypassed.

 

I am going to get a Compustar remote start with the Drone Mobile so I can control it via their iPhone app.