I have a 2003 SC430 and I must say for a 60k plus car the alarm is crap. My car has been broken into twice and the alarm doesn't go off cause they are breaking the lock. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Can anyone suggest a good after market alarm system? Thanks

 

i thought the sense-o-shock is already out, i have it and love it

Bobs SC, the problem is that the factory alarm is passive, there is no shock sensor or so. in fact that's the case with most factory alarm. putting a shock sensor will solve all problem. taht's what i have, the stuff from luxury motor works. can't ask for better

 

What's the point of an alarm these days? All they seem to do is make noise...and do they really stop a theif from breaking into the car? They don't really draw attention to the car because everyone ignores them when they go off.

 

It does make a difference if its 4am and your room is right above where your car is parked and that load noise goes off I would then be aware that someone was trying to rip off my car.

 

it doesn't STOP them from doing it. but it buys you some time and create some attraction

 

Do you live in Jersey City, NJ?

 

No I don't .. I don't think I would of bought this car if I lived there.

 

Does anyone know if you need to hit the lock button twice to enable the alarm?

 

you mean the stock alarm? if so, nop, pushing it once will do it already. it will just be about 10 secs before it's activated

 

Is the alarm suppose to go off if someone was to break the lock with some kind of screwdriver and open the door?

 

if the lock is altered when the alarm is on, it will go off (or supposed to be).

 

I know it will go off if someone tried to unlock the door from the inside while its armed.

 

Absolutely.

This keeps someone from reaching inside to unlock the door when the car is parked (and locked) with the top down.

Also, I think the system cuts battery power to the starter, so without a key, a criminal cannot start the car just by messing around with the ignition key socket. The new keys (2002) have a chip in them that must be in the vicinity of the ignition switch for the system to unlock, which prevents a bogus key from starting the engine.

Since its introduction in 1990, Lexus has been one of the most difficult cars to break into and steal; keys are almost impossible to copy without very sophisticated laser cutting equipment.

The system lacks the motion switches, but those are the cause of most false alarms, and i like the fact that simply locking the car sets all the security features.

It's pretty good for a factory standard system.

 

I disagree because if someone unlocks your door by breaking the locks on the outside your alarm will not go off. I think other factory alarms would go off in that situation.

 

Jeeeze, Louise, this is what the shrinks call catastrophizing.

If someone is going to break into your car by breaking the locks on the door (only the driver's door has a key hole -- there is none on the riight side door or in the trunk), then he is very serious indeed and you are screwed. Generally, this is not a person I want to contront in the act.

That's what insurance is for.