Actually I am not so worried about someone stealing the whole car, but rather someone stealing the stereo in it or worse yet, my hard to find headlights. A local rodder told me; "be careful your headlights, people might try to steal them" hence the proximity alarm in case someone is thinking about it. I know a pro can get whatever he wants but a non-pro who simply is eyeballing my headlights might feel a bit less enthousiastic once he realizes the whole neighborhood will hear him try to steal them... Just a thought... I would want that feature to be optional (turn it on if you want or off if you prefer)....

I have noted all yoru suggestions but await more, especially from people who actually currently have an alarm and can tell me what type, brand to get and where to have it installed (alarm shop or hotrod shop?)