prestige car alarms?

Hello, I just bought a used car and I was told it contains a car alarm and that all I needed to purchase was the remote. The car is a 2001 Toyota Celica GT. I'm finally getting around to it and when I went to a place they said I'd have to figure out what sort of a alarm it is. They told me to look under the steering wheel- so I removed the panel and looked just enough to find the module and get the model number. The model was APS255 and after looking around on Google I discovered it was an Audiovox Prestige APS255. So I went back to the shop and told them what I had found- and the told me you can't really find those remotes anymore- only online- but that they would program it for me. So here's my question. I was able to find a few places online after searching, but the remote seems so scarce! Did Audiovox stop manufacturing car alarms? It seems like an old system from the 90's. Also before I purchase anything I wanted to make sure it would work. Right now the car runs just fine. It has power locks but they can't be operated. (So obviously they were operated by the remote control) I know they're power locks because when I start the car and put it in gear they lock. However, the alarm SEEMS installed, and there is a LED on my dashboard, but it never lights up- is this because it isn't programmed? Also does the horn relay have anything to do with the alarm? The horn relay is missing and I need to buy one. The car came with the "wiring already done for stereo" but I think they did a poor job because the stereo does NOT turn off even after I remove the key from the ignition, also the power mirrors do not work, and the car clock does not come on... Anyway, to recap, these are my questions: 1.) What can you guys tell me about Prestige car alarms? 2.) Are they no longer manufactured and supported? 3.) Are they any good? 4.) Any thoughts about how potentially the wiring/electric part may be tied into all this? Also the few online vendors I found seemed kinda fishy- (their websites just didn't look very professional) I found the following: http://www.etaag.com/items/item225.htm http://www.americanthunderaudio.com/ProductInfo.aspx?id=3556744 http://www.beachaudio.com/Audiovox/Aps99bt3bcf431-p-113056.html http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?ID=3342302 What'd you guys think? Do the vendors look legit? Eagerly awaiting to hear any information I can about this system! Regards, Pablo

Well, right now the alarm's LED is off. In fact, since I've had the car it has never been on. I thought that was good since I don't have the remote, until I was told that LED should at least be solid to represent valet mode, or the whole alarm was completely disconnected. I guess I'm not worried too much about it being completely disconnected so long as it works- my dilemma is I don't want to buy a remote if the alarm doesn't work, but I don't know if it does or not. How do I find out? I don't know much about car wiring. I did look at the main receiver and it looked like everything was connected right. Maybe it's missing power? Disconnected from the battery or something? Also when I bought the car it was missing a horn relay. Could that have something to do with it? (Since I read that the alarm can use the horn as well) Honestly, it seems a sloppy job was done when wiring the car. It was "wired for a stereo system" I was told, but it looks like the stereo is directly connected to the battery, (it does not turn off when I remove the key from the ignition), and my dash clock doesn't work. Also the power mirrors don't work. Thoughts on any of this?

Thanks ckeeler, I really appreciate it. I think I will go ahead and buy the remote- it will only cost me $39.99- and try it out. If I can't figure it out I'll take it to a nearby car shop. They already told me they'd program it if I brought them the manual for $35, and then $60/hr to fix the wiring stuff and the alarm... sounded a little expensive to me- especially since they were going to charge me $35 to find out what alarm I had in the first place, and I already did that myself to save the money. I'll get the manual from Audiovox's website and try to set up the alarm and program it myself- if they need the manual then it must be in there, right? However, the wiring- I guess I'll have to fork over $60/hr for them to fix all those wiring things like the mirrors and such. Appreciate any input/recommendations especially if they'll save me $. Thanks again, Pablo