remote starter
 

Anyone has any experience with remote starters? I've been reading reviews and such, but all of them end up saying that some many features are "must have" that all models with them end up being in the 400 dollar range. Anyone with any suggestions/experience?

Assuming you have an automatic, just about any remote starter is fine. If you have a manual, the only one I know of that is designed to work *safely* is the Compustar.

You're talking about starting the car. I don't know what feature you would need other than a start and an off switch ;)

It's an automatic. The reviews and how to's I was reading mentioned so much secondary stuff that I wanted to know from anyone who has one if they are worth it.
These extras included a pin switch in the hood to prevent it from starting the car with the hood open, something that incorporate the brakes, two way remote, temperature sensors, antigrind features, and on, and on, and on..

Gotta side with shakran on this one.
If it is an automatic (which you've already said it is) then any remote should be fine.
Hood switch is handy if you work on your vehicle yourself but hardly necessary.
Brakes and antigrind are for manual trannys (prevent it from being started while in gear).
Two way basically just tells you, yep your engine started or it didn't, thanks but I think I can figure that out on my own. Unless it's also part of an alarm system and then it's handy then hmmm someone's stealing my car.... like I'm going to run out and stop them before it's already gone. yeah right.
Temperature sensors?? WTF? Guess that could be handy if I was going to leave my car idling more then a few minutes to prevent it from overheating, honestly who uses a remote then lets their car idle that long?
About the only sensor other then the hood one I'd like was a oil pressure sensor, no pressure shut down now!
The rest is just eye candy that you probably will never need.

I don't have any of that fancy stuff on mine. It was installed as a birthday present for me back in 2003. Still works like a charm. It isn't anything fancy but it sure is nice to get into a car that isn't too hot or too cold! I don't remember the price exactly, but it wasn't $400.

i got one from sam's club for my wife about 8 years ago. cost about $80 US. installation was another $75 US. i don't remember the brand name but it still works fine...

it's on a '97 toyota camry v-6...

Ive had it as a factory option on my last 2 cars. The only time I use it is during the winter on cold mornings...heats the car up for me. Its a nice option to have, but not a dealbreaker one way or the other.