do I really need an immobiliser and an alarm system?

[janetweiss]

Hi and thanks in advance, I have to get the security system replaced in my car, and was wondering if i really need to have both an immobiliser and alarm fitted ? Obviously I know that both would be ideal but if you had to choose one or the other which would it be and why?

[Toureman]

Immobiliser.

To be effective it would have to be Thatcham Cat 1. then your car should always be where you left it.

Alarms are not effective unless you are close enough to hear it and take action yourself because no one else will.

Best thing to do is back up the expensive immobilisor with a cheap noisy alarm .

[Dassie]

Agreed - an immobiliser. Haven't you ever noticed somebody's alarm goes off and everybody just walks on!

[andy-hughes]

A thief will only break into a car if he sees something worth taking - leave all valuables out of sight, and you are highly unlikely to get broken into.

If your car may be worth stealing, then an imobiliser makes good sense, so if I was choosing one or the other, I would go with the imobiliser - as Dassie says, no-one reacts to alarms.

[janetweiss]

Thanks for the replies, Immobilliser it is then .

The car is an Ford XR3i special edition Convertable, I had almost decided to go for a disclock and immobilliser, but just wanted to see what other people thought.

Thanks again for the advice

Jo