Need some input on alarm!

It's not the cost of the alarm system rather the quality of installation. If you want a theft proof system you will end up spending lots, but on labor not the equipment. Go to the exreme and get your windows replaced with lexan, dead bolt the doors with Autoloc devices, have 3 ignition cut off circuits, cover all entries of the vehicle with sensors, battery back up, hood lock, and I've heard of smoke screens that eject this smoke into the air that stays in the air for about 2- 5 minutes making it impossible to see anything in the car. The smoke leaves no residue on the interior and is safe to breath in but you can not see anything for 2 minutes or so making any thief nervous enough not to stick around until the smoke clears.

Have a pager system attached to the vehicle and alarm system so you know what is being triggered and when. Do not have a LED visible because ....... face it... if a thief sees the LED you really think that's going to deter him/her from trying any way ?? If they see something they like, they will try regardless of that little red light that is flashing. I'm not saying that it won't deter ANY thief... just the punks, not the pro's.

Safe guard your battery  under the hood and under the carriage as well. If you have a parking brake, use this as it's hard to tow a vehicle with it's rear tires locked. Not impossible but harder . Use 3 or 4 sirens throughout the car so that it's hard for anyone to be inside the car while the alarm is going off while making it a visible eye sore so people look. Who cares if no one goes to see what the big deal is, that's not the point... it's to attract unwanted attention to a car thief that makes them nervous.

You can do all of the above but if a thief really wants it, he'll get it!   yes sad to say, but there is more things you can do.  You can install the Multilock, an immobilizer system that will shut the car down in couple of minutes, you can add Lojack, Onstar (atleast you can find your car back). I've put in infrared cameras in vehicle that you can monitor from home. There is also a  shocking device that hooks up to your alarm that will make it impossible to sit in the seats. Battery back up has always been a must along wih a paging unit. Shave handles and all keyholes, drop your car so low that nothing can go under and get an electric fence for your driveway ...  believe it or not some people do these things!