Aston Martin factory fitted Tracker repair or replace ?

[hartley]

Apparently mine has a unit which has failed ( draining the battery ) which will cost £350 for the part and £300 for labour to repair ( ie fit the new bit ). A new ( non Aston )tracker costs £170 to fit and £390 for membership for the time the car is owned . Do I just disconnect the Aston one and fit a new one - any knowledge on the subject is welcome.

[ds2000]

Unfortunately only a question you can answer. I was all for going down the tracker route until I realised it didn't affect my premium in the slightest so have simply not bothered activating it. (I figure if the car was stolen, ragged, crashed - I'd probably not want it back anyway)

[jeremydb9]

Same, no discount for it so there is no real incentive to pay the (substantial) tracker premium.

[Jockman]

Thing is....if you don't do it then you exclude future quotes from companies that do require it and who may save you a fair bit

I personally would have the Tracker

[davidexige]

My insurance and tracker for the Scooby were both due renewal at the same time, so asked what the difference in premiums would be without the tracker , £35 cheaper with no tracker fitted

[davidexige]

My insurance and tracker for the Scooby were both due renewal at the same time, so asked what the difference in premiums would be without the tracker , £35 cheaper with no tracker fitted

[mikey k]

Interesting
I must have a look at my subscription and see how long it is for.
Not sure I'd want a nicked car back

[Stonic]

I didn't bother renewing my tracker subscription. The tags are too big and on my 08 DB9 they initially tried to refuse to transfer to me on purchase because it was "old" kit and needed renewing. I fought and had it transferred for the first year. No impact on insurance. If I need tracker in future I'd go aftermarket and a fob I would actually carry rather than leave I'm the car.

[hartley]

Thanks all -I tend to agree with Jockman that aTracker of some sort is needed for a wider selection of insurers .My real point was am I better forgetting the Aston tracker and buying the cheaper new one ?

[divetheworld]

It just sticks in my throat to pay £250 a year for something I can fit for that money with no subscription.

Aftermarket units can remote engine shutdown with a text, Eurowatch can only do that with authorisation from the police...who will be well bothered to chase down an Aston...

[snuffy]

More insurance company bks thinking.

I could save, wait for it... £2 on my premium for having the tracker activated.

It's on a par with the "cheaper to insure it on the road than in your garage" cock.

[hartley]

Is there a subscription for the Aston tracking system or is it free of running costs once factory fitted - I am not aware of having paid an annual subscription for mine ?

[divetheworld]

hartley said:

Is there a subscription for the Aston tracking system or is it free of running costs once factory fitted - I am not aware of having paid an annual subscription for mine ?

Like I said earlier. eurowatch is £250 a year.

[hartley]

I seem to remember the previous owner had paid for a lifetime subscription - could this be right ? Certainly have not received any bills ?

[Jockman]

snuffy said:

More insurance company bks thinking.

I could save, wait for it... £2 on my premium for having the tracker activated.

It's on a par with the "cheaper to insure it on the road than in your garage" cock.

Morning Angry Adrian, you little cutey

Can't say I've ever met anyone with cheaper insurance for parking on the road but I can confirm that mine is cheaper for parking on the driveway.

Which I agree seems a bit daft but I can appreciate the rationale.

Hartley, I do believe there was a period - no longer, afaik - when you could sign up for a one-off fee lifetime tracker subs but I'm not sure if it applied to the person or the car

[vpr]

I have tracker type units on 3 cars and the Aston one is the dearest....no surprise there then.

It's just been replaced under warranty too. Sounds like a common problem.

My Ins company said that if the car was stolen it wouldn't be covered.

[MichaelV8V]

divetheworld said:

Aftermarket units can remote engine shutdown with a text, Eurowatch can only do that with authorisation from the police...who will be well bothered to chase down an Aston...

Really don't like the sound of that. The thought that the car can be shut down whilst in a queue of cars doing 80 down the motorway, and you write off your car and kill the people following closely behind, all with just a text.

I think the point of the police choosing when to shut down is that they choose a time when they can see the car and know it's safe

[Jockman]

As far as I was aware the tracker company does not shut the car down. It stops it restarting once the engine has been turned off by the thief

[F1 NDW]

Jockman said:

snuffy said:

More insurance company bks thinking.

I could save, wait for it... £2 on my premium for having the tracker activated.

It's on a par with the "cheaper to insure it on the road than in your garage" cock.

Morning Angry Adrian, you little cutey

Can't say I've ever met anyone with cheaper insurance for parking on the road but I can confirm that mine is cheaper for parking on the driveway.

Which I agree seems a bit daft but I can appreciate the rationale.

Hartley, I do believe there was a period - no longer, afaik - when you could sign up for a one-off fee lifetime tracker subs but I'm not sure if it applied to the person or the car

I reactivated the tracker on my car last year. I chose the option of the one off payment that will last as long as I own it. As I intend to keep it a long time it should be the cheapest option.

[divetheworld]

MichaelV8V said:

Really don't like the sound of that. The thought that the car can be shut down whilst in a queue of cars doing 80 down the motorway, and you write off your car and kill the people following closely behind, all with just a text.

I think the point of the police choosing when to shut down is that they choose a time when they can see the car and know it's safe

I see your point, and its a valid one.

You can watch its position and speed live from tracker data (depending on which model you buy) and wait until it stops or slows. Then send the kill text.
Followed by a personal visit with the boys
Especially if you want it back, they haven't had it long, etc.

If you hear your alarm and go out to see your p&j driving off down the street then you can stop it there and then. Otherwise it's a bit frustrating talking to Abdul/John at the call centre........

Actually that's a bit unfair. It might not be Abdul, (who liked to be called John). It might be a Geordie