Hi:

Yeah, remote-start is a bit of a gimmick really.

I have the Clifford 600 with Intellistart fitted for about 5 years.

Alarm is great and has done the job okay, but I can't understand why I paid about

£150 extra

(at the time) for the Intellistart unit.

Could be darned dangerous on a manual, potentially.

Heard a story once about a BMW 5-Series driving itself off a ramp due to a mechanic pressing the wrong button on the key-fob.

My MR2 is an auto, so no problems on that score.

I use the Intellistart about 3 times a year as a bit of a joke.

I have this line of patter that says I've had this car SO long

(since 1993) that we have gained an understanding.

Although the car cannot yet speak I have taught it to recognise my voice and it will obey certain commands like

"start engine" and

"stop engine".

Plus, sometimes it gets a little beyond itself, because it really enjoys driving

(being a sports car), and will not switch off when I take out the ignition key.

So then I have to be very

"firm" with it and tell it, in no uncertain terms to,

"Switch off that engine!" Which it does.

I had a neighbour really fall for this and she actually brought her friend over one day for a demo.

I said the car wouldn't do it as he was,

"In a mood" and we were,

"not talking".

The friend laughed it off thinking she was being wound up.

But I was deadly serious and I talked to the car and tried to convince him to start.

I explained this was a special occasion and a guest was present.

So the car eventually agreed.

When the car started she ran off shouting,

"OMG, OMG, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!!!" Was one heck of a laugh I can tell you.

Regards,
Jim