I know if a thief wants a car bad enough, they will do whatever it takes to get it. Unfortunetly, LoJack isn't available in my area. I also understand that many times cars are stolen by flat-beds. Is there any tricks or security measures that can be taken to help extend the time it takes to steal a car by tow truck?

The object here is to make the theft process take longer than usual. The longer you can stall the thieves, the better chances of them being unsuccessful.

On my GSR, I have an expensive custom anti-theft alarm w/remote pager, starter kill, secondary battery power source, secondary hidden alarm siren, anti-scanner, hood & trunk & door sensors, window sensors, electric current sensors, dual-shock sensors, tilt sensors, interior motion sensors, hidden fuel kill switches, hidden ECU cut-off switch, interior alarm strobe lights, high-beam alarm flash, tinted windows, modified battery terminals, hood release relocation, shaved trunk keyhole, and power door lock modification. I keep my car in the garage at night w/car cover and another car parked directly behind of the garage door. My bedroom is directly above the garage. So I feel my car is somewhat safe at night. I also have full insurance coverage.

During the day, whenever I park at work or at the grocery store, etc., I do not feel like my car is safe. My interior is stock and I never keep any valuables in the car. I have stock speakers and a cheap CD player w/removable face plate which I always take with me. If I'm out somewhere, I always park the car nose-in and in 1st gear with E-brake on and the front wheels turned to the side. Am I taking the right precautions? I feel like all my anti-theft security will do little against a tow truck. So I am open to suggestions on how to stall tow trucks long enough so I can run out and catch them or hope that somebody will notice it and report it. Sorry for the long post.

 

if you had hydraulics or air suspension
the only thing that will help you is keeping your car slammed to the floor.

and all that stuff you mention the only thing that will help them the most
is the tinted windows.

 

dude ur hella paranoid...im bad but not that bad...

all i have to say to you is dont leave your car at a shopping mall, in a urban environment(especially CA), or in a secluded area like behind a builidng and you will be fine.

The best protection you can have is a daily beater

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calsonic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
On my GSR, I have an expensive custom anti-theft alarm w/remote pager, starter kill, secondary battery power source, secondary hidden alarm siren, anti-scanner, hood & trunk & door sensors, window sensors, electric current sensors, dual-shock sensors, tilt sensors, interior motion sensors, hidden fuel kill switches, hidden ECU cut-off switch, interior alarm strobe lights, high-beam alarm flash, tinted windows, modified battery terminals, hood release relocation, shaved trunk keyhole, and power door lock modification. I keep my car in the garage at night w/car cover and another car parked directly behind of the garage door. My bedroom is directly above the garage. So I feel my car is somewhat safe at night. </TD></TR></TABLE>

lol, that's awesome! Wish I had a closed garage...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lanojp1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dude ur hella paranoid...im bad but not that bad...</TD></TR></TABLE>

He's paranoid but once you lose that paranoia, is when they take advantage of you.

I've seen many many threads on security but nothing to really guard against tow trucks yet. Do some research, I'm sure you'll come up with something. You've already got plenty of great ideas invested as far as security is concerned.

 

wheel boots for when u do have to park on th street if your in a store or even at the mall, i would go as far as puting one boot on each wheel though and not just on one wheel..

 

yea i stay paranoid...my car when im at home is in a closed garage...

when im at work its directly in my view at all times...

and i ride a bike to school...

 

That's alot of security.

Kinda reminds me of the episode on the Simpsons when Burns goes to shut off power to the city.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calsonic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On my GSR, I have an expensive custom anti-theft alarm w/remote pager, starter kill, secondary battery power source, secondary hidden alarm siren, anti-scanner, hood & trunk & door sensors, window sensors, electric current sensors, dual-shock sensors, tilt sensors, interior motion sensors, hidden fuel kill switches, hidden ECU cut-off switch, interior alarm strobe lights, high-beam alarm flash, tinted windows, modified battery terminals, hood release relocation, shaved trunk keyhole, and power door lock modification. I keep my car in the garage at night w/car cover and another car parked directly behind of the garage door. My bedroom is directly above the garage. So I feel my car is somewhat safe at night. I also have full insurance coverage.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Jesus! Now that is a safe teg!! With all that stuff I would have though you were keeping outside, but damn you have all that, AND you keep it in the garage? I don't think you need to worry about it being stolen. If your garage is attached to your house and there is a doorway in, you could always put a lock somehow on the inside of the garage door so it doesnt open, and the thiefs would have a hard time with your car. If I was a thief I would just be frustrated and go find an easier target.

Pics of your car?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rand0m &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
If I was a thief I would just be frustrated and go find an easier target.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

If they want the car bad enough, they will get it. You have done alot to ensure that the other targets out there are easier to get. I think that you should be fine

 

I drive rollback (flatbed as you call it) I don't steal cars.

You can't stop a rollback. It is designed for moving cars. It is SUPER strong. I have pulled cars out of the side of houses. I've rescued cars that have gone 40 feet down into a ditch. I have picked up one car and set it in a pickup truck bed. I can pull cars with 4 flat tires. I once picked a full size extended Dodge van from over a concrete parking lot bump. The winch doesn't care. I've used the truck to pull trees out of the ground.

If you want to make it hard for a theif, parallel park it, with a car in front and a car behind. It will slow someone down but it won't stop them. You could also box it in with 4 cars. But if they wanted to they could move those too.

Your best bet is to have 4 big bulldozers follow you around and park them on all four sides of the car. I think I wouldn't be able to move one of those.

Towtruck guys get catalogs with all kinds of "car theft" tools. They have GO-JACKS that will pick up all 4 tires and I can move a car anywhere without a truck.

AAA would call and say someone got locked out of their car. I can get in on average 45 seconds, without a brick or any noise. Just like anything else it's all about having the right tools for the job.

Security isn't real. A locksmith could get in the front door of a house easilly.

I was at a salvage auction the other day and the locksmith there was making keys from VIN numbers, on site, in a few minutes. He had a laptop that knew what key fit what VIN.
When I worked at a dealership we could order keys for cars/bikes based on the VIN.

On the positive side. No one I know wants to risk going to jail for an Acura.


Now a Ferrari........

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rand0m &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Jesus! Now that is a safe teg!! With all that stuff I would have though you were keeping outside, but damn you have all that, AND you keep it in the garage? I don't think you need to worry about it being stolen. If your garage is attached to your house and there is a doorway in, you could always put a lock somehow on the inside of the garage door so it doesnt open, and the thiefs would have a hard time with your car. If I was a thief I would just be frustrated and go find an easier target.

Pics of your car? </TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm not too worried about my car at night when it's in the garage. I'm worried during the day time when I'm at work or at a store or restaurant, etc. Here's are pics of my GSR...





<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dip-set &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wheel boots for when u do have to park on th street if your in a store or even at the mall, i would go as far as puting one boot on each wheel though and not just on one wheel..</TD></TR></TABLE>
How much do wheel boots cost?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnnieChimpo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I drive rollback (flatbed as you call it) I don't steal cars.

If you want to make it hard for a theif, parallel park it, with a car in front and a car behind. It will slow someone down but it won't stop them. You could also box it in with 4 cars. But if they wanted to they could move those too.

I was at a salvage auction the other day and the locksmith there was making keys from VIN numbers, on site, in a few minutes. He had a laptop that knew what key fit what VIN. When I worked at a dealership we could order keys for cars/bikes based on the VIN.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I live in a subarban area so there are parking lots everywhere. There aren't many areas where I go to park on the street so parallel parking wouldn't work most of the time. Not too long ago my friend's civic was stolen at Barnes & Nobles at 2pm, he went in the store for only 15 minutes to buy a CD and it was gone when he walked out. There have been over 700 car thefts in my county in 2003 and most of them were Honda/Acura. Actually the 1998 Integra GSR was #1 on the list.

I also have my VIN # covered so you can't see it from the outside of the car. Even if someone got a key made for a VIN#, and a victim's car got stolen, couldn't the victim go to the Honda/Acura dealership and find out who requested new keys?

 

engine bay shot!

 

is it okay to cover up the vin? ive thought about doing that, but i didnt know if itd be legal......like maybe your car would get towed cuz they thought it was stolen cuz you were hiding the vin?? i just didnt know if covering the vin would cause
more problems??

i think that you're good to go though...you've done everything you can do!

 

hey i met you at that kutztown meet!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sabotage7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">is it okay to cover up the vin? ive thought about doing that, but i didnt know if itd be legal......like maybe your car would get towed cuz they thought it was stolen cuz you were hiding the vin?? i just didnt know if covering the vin would cause
more problems??

i think that you're good to go though...you've done everything you can do!</TD></TR></TABLE>

my VIN has been covered by a piece of construction paper for 3 years. never had a problem, been pulled over twice and gotten 3 parking tickets like that. no one cares.

 

damn d00d, if i had as many paranoia issues as you, i'd surely not be driving the #1 stolen vehicle in an area just laden w/ auto theives!

now i know it's your car and you love the way it looks, but there are a few cosmetic adjustments that might make the car less visually apealing to theives go more sleeper, y0

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dLo GS-RaArRrRrRaR! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

my VIN has been covered by a piece of construction paper for 3 years. never had a problem, been pulled over twice and gotten 3 parking tickets like that. no one cares.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I hear about everyone and their mother doing this, but in NY our VIN is printed RIGHT on the registration slip that they make you stick to your front windshield.... Is it different in different states????

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crawdad689 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">damn d00d, if i had as many paranoia issues as you, i'd surely not be driving the #1 stolen vehicle in an area just laden w/ auto theives!

now i know it's your car and you love the way it looks, but there are a few cosmetic adjustments that might make the car less visually apealing to theives go more sleeper, y0

I hear about everyone and their mother doing this, but in NY our VIN is printed RIGHT on the registration slip that they make you stick to your front windshield.... Is it different in different states???? </TD></TR></TABLE>

CA just has registration stickers you put on your plates with a year on it and a serial number.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by StolenTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">engine bay shot!</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's stock and everyone knows what a stock GSR engine looks like.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sabotage7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">is it okay to cover up the vin? ive thought about doing that, but i didnt know if itd be legal......like maybe your car would get towed cuz they thought it was stolen cuz you were hiding the vin?? i just didnt know if covering the vin would cause
more problems??

i think that you're good to go though...you've done everything you can do!</TD></TR></TABLE>
I haven't had any problems yet. If a cop pulls me over, I'll just remove the cover quickly.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris_Bye &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hey i met you at that kutztown meet! </TD></TR></TABLE>
Hey what's up, hope to see you at more H-T meets next year.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by crawdad689 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I hear about everyone and their mother doing this, but in NY our VIN is printed RIGHT on the registration slip that they make you stick to your front windshield.... Is it different in different states???? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah, it's different. In Illinois, some towns don't require a city sticker. None require a registration sticker. In fact, I'm quite posative we don't even have that option. We have a little thing on our plates, but beyond that... I personally just pulled the city sticker out of one of my cars and switch it around, no problems. That way I only have to buy one for my four cars. Saves lots of $$$ at 120 apiece. (my town is a ripoff )

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calsonic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">On my GSR, I have an expensive custom anti-theft alarm w/remote pager, starter kill, secondary battery power source, secondary hidden alarm siren, anti-scanner, hood & trunk & door sensors, window sensors, electric current sensors, dual-shock sensors, tilt sensors, interior motion sensors, hidden fuel kill switches, hidden ECU cut-off switch, interior alarm strobe lights, high-beam alarm flash, tinted windows, modified battery terminals, hood release relocation, shaved trunk keyhole, and power door lock modification. I keep my car in the garage at night w/car cover and another car parked directly behind of the garage door. My bedroom is directly above the garage. So I feel my car is somewhat safe at night. I also have full insurance coverage.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Daaaaamn. Nice security system setup.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NightRider-gsR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Daaaaamn. Nice security system setup.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks. I'm still not satisfied yet. I'm considering buying wheel boots and a quick-release steering wheel.

 

What alarm system is your setup based off of? It sounds really nice, and I'm a whole lot paranoid about my teg. Currently nothing yet... so I'm just wonderin.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Calsonic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> On my GSR, I have an expensive custom anti-theft alarm w/remote pager, starter kill, secondary battery power source, secondary hidden alarm siren, anti-scanner, hood & trunk & door sensors, window sensors, electric current sensors, dual-shock sensors, tilt sensors, interior motion sensors, hidden fuel kill switches, hidden ECU cut-off switch, interior alarm strobe lights, high-beam alarm flash, tinted windows, modified battery terminals, hood release relocation, shaved trunk keyhole, and power door lock modification.</TD></TR></TABLE>

DAMN!! j/w but how much do u think you spent on all of that total?

 

If you're that paranoid buy a Kia. Taking precautions is a good thing, but when is it ever going to be enough? Try the "german sheperd in the front seat alarm" works for me