best theft prevention

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: evandostert
What should I do to prevent this from happening again???

Drive a 1994 Toyota Corolla with steel wheels and a dented hood like me!

At work and most places I park, I don't even roll up the windows in the summer, makes the car much cooler to get into after baking in the sun.
Maybe getting a beater for questionable areas would be cost effective?

 

[Scotty1981]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Originally Posted By: evandostert
Rims/navigation/subs/exhaust/nos lines were visible thru front grill. I am a total target.


This is taking the fun out of things fast. I am thinking a yugo would be fun at this point.


I dunno -- how 'bout a vehicle that explodes like a nuclear bomb when a thief tries to take it. I know, I know, that's somewhat anti-social, and maybe dangerous too, but it sure is fun to contemplate...


If we're going to get crazy like this you could get some snake hadling equipment and keep poisonous snakes in the car, thief gets in, gets bit by a cobra or rattlesnake and dies, then he can't steal anyone elses car either, when you need to get into the car use the handling equipment to avoid a bite and cage it in the back. Or you could try to electrify the handles but both of these methods could be considered manslaughter.

 

[RacerE7773]

Yesterday we were at a museum and went to get in the car to leave the car next to us had the GPS, the Sirius radio (don't know if the h/u was OEM or not. I'd doubt it) were all where everyone could see them, just asking for trouble. Alarm or not.

Speaking of Alarms....

 

[opus1]

lexus114, don't confuse "liking" a vehicle with becoming attached to it. Of course, you wouldn't buy a car if you didn't like it, but once a person starts modding it and so on, the attachment begins, and it'll "hurt" more when the car gets stolen. If someone stole the Hyundai, I wouldn't be happy, but it's a basically a tool and I can replace it. The Cobalt SS, on the other hand, I've become attached-to, and that's why it's not my DD when I commute to the train station.

ekpolk, didn't a 007 move start like that? Not a nuclear blast, but I remember someone breaking into one of Bond's cars and it blowing up. Talk about karma...

RacerE7773, it's amazing how many people do that. On my walk to the platform at the train station I walk by numerous cars that either have their GPS bracket mounted to the window, or an iPod in the cradle in plain view. In my subdivision, we had a spate of break-ins, people with cars in their driveways would get burglarized, watches, wallets, GPS units, iPods and so forth were stolen, and if the garage door opener remote was in the car (and it usually was), the thieves would open the garage and see what they could cart off easily. And in all cases, the people left their car doors unlocked! It's not a bad neighborhood, but come on, Mayberry exists only on TVLand.....

 

[javacontour]

30 years ago, I could leave my car unlocked in the driveway with the keys in the ignition with little fear of it being stolen.

Today, no way! Not even in the little farm town where I grew up.

 

[Gary Allan]

I didn't read every post..but how about a 150db alarm that you need to disable? That is, it will go off after 30 seconds regardless of if the key is used or not..whatever.. and you have to find the hidden switch to prevent it from occurring.

Just make the interior intolerable for occupancy. You can even give it its own power supply so that cutting the battery won't help.

Then again, there are enough younger people driving around with enough audio firepower that the only thing I can figure is that they enjoy buzzing fasteners and rattling panels ..and think it's music. I doubt that they have any hearing to protect.

 

[Kestas]

I don't think it's been mentioned in this thread, but what do you guys think about audible alarms? When was the last time you ran out into the street to see who's ripping off a car when you heard the alarm trip? All I can think is "shut the stupid thing off!" I think they're more of a nuisance than a help.

 

[EvanD]

New alarm is a 2 way paging. I am also going to use a brake lock and remote kill switch when parked at work and for long durations. I don't think I can do much else that practical.

 

[eljefino]

To expand on insidiousness, how about a kill switch that shorts to ground? Make it blow the fuse for the fuel pump, theif rips open fusebox, replaces, cycles key again, blows fuse again, repeat.

 

[bigmike]

Hook your alarm system up to a hidden train horn. People will beat the [censored] outta a thief just to make it STOP.

 

[Drew99GT]

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT

 

[daves87rs]

And bottom line, I'd agree with what opus said.

I used to work with a guy (still see him once in a while) who used to work for a aftermarket alarm company.

I have yet to see him not be able to get into a car yet.

Kill switch will work if they are not tech savvy.....

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I don't think it's been mentioned in this thread, but what do you guys think about audible alarms? When was the last time you ran out into the street to see who's ripping off a car when you heard the alarm trip? All I can think is "shut the stupid thing off!" I think they're more of a nuisance than a help.


Yep. That, and people know you are protecting something important....

 

[jgeorge]

on firebirdv6.com there is a mod. it uses a relay and you power window up switch. when installed you have to hold your driver window up button while starting the engine. once started release the window button. no one would ever figure that out in a hurry to steal your ride. steve

 

[Kestas]

Does this wear the window motor?

 

[RacerE7773]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I don't think it's been mentioned in this thread, but what do you guys think about audible alarms? When was the last time you ran out into the street to see who's ripping off a car when you heard the alarm trip? All I can think is "shut the stupid thing off!" I think they're more of a nuisance than a help.
We don't have an alarm, but I have seen people turn around and look when I'm on my way to the car and had pushed the remote start button from the store doorway..

 

[EvanD]

Kill switch's don't work with a pro if they can strip off a viper alarm in under a minute this wouldn't even slow them down.

 

[Scotty1981]

Air/Train horns would be ok for an alarm maybe, but could the owner resist making the occasional pedestrian or biker *#(% his pants? That is kind of a messed up thing to do is put loud #(# horns on a car and go around sounding them for fun.

I think LoJack is prob best option to catch the thiefs and retrive the auto.

 

[Drew99GT]