Originally Posted by TCL

I was stopped at an intersection in town earlier this week. The light was a long one and I watched the cars go by while I slowly zoned out. I watched a tow truck whiz by carrying on it's bed an Integra with visible mods, and the first thought that came to my head was, "what if they just stole it, and are on their way down to a chop shop somewhere in Newark?" I was reminded of how out of control the theft situation is when it comes to Hondas as I snapped back to reality. I should know, I found out about it the worst way many years ago. And now that I'm back in a Honda I can't visually modify it for fear of attracting the eyes of a thief. How many people have abandoned the Honda scene because of this stigma? How many won't buy a car because they know they won't be able to sleep at night? There are several models I have said "never again" to that meet my needs/demands almost to a tee. I spent the rest of the day ruminating about why it is the way it is, and what could be done to stop it.

The cars are easy to steal, and that avenue has been explored extensively. But if one goes after the why they are stolen; perhaps some progress could be made? You wouldn't steal someone's stuff if it had his name written on it because as soon as someone saw you with it you'd be busted. Cars and parts may not have names, but most have VINs, serial numbers, etc. printed or engraved on them. What if these could be entered into a database which would allow public search of ones that have been stolen? Imagine a site that allows you to log in, and register a car, as well as any number of parts that would be liable to be stolen, by their respective identification numbers. And you can upload pictures displaying the parts and their numbers. Think CarDomain. You have your own profile page which only you can access, and if it so happens that anything you registered gets stolen, you can have those records made public (added to a 'hot list'). Anyone who owns a Honda, or even any other make or parts like wheels or accessories that have any tendency to disappear would be encouraged to register.

Since a major part of selling goes through forums classifieds such as Honda-tech and a handful of others (there's an assumption here), it shouldn't be too difficult to implement the use of this "TheftDomain." So, In a nutshell: Want to sell a part/car online? Sure, just post the VIN/serial. Discourage buying items without VINs/serials, and if you do buy something that matches a stolen part/car, you can flag the seller, spread the word, contact authorities, or start to trace back where the part came from, etc.

I'm not sure how effective this would be, but it could force thieves to resort to selling outside the states, reducing the appeal of stealing. Such a site may pose some legal snags due to it's nature. I'm just throwing it out there - this all might sound paranoid, but for those who have experienced first-hand, you know where I'm coming from.

Thoughts?

Originally Posted by Vindicator9000

Yeah, I just use a locked garage in the middle of nowhere with an alarm, an attack cat, and a Taurus 24/7 loaded with hydroshocks. Sold my bed cause I just sleep in the car. I keep the ECU, steering wheel, distributor, and wheels in a locked safe in an undisclosed location under a mountain.

Ain't no one be jackin' mah ish, yo.

Originally Posted by JConto

These also work really well.

Originally Posted by Ya Digg

so he didnt follow the tow truck. fail.

Originally Posted by shoklid

thoughts? i have some dnt leave you're car parked in the hood lol lol put a toggle switch on the starter wire and when u leaver you're car turn off the pwr to it. ways to prevent the stealing of a vehicle is prob about 100000 ways

Originally Posted by Arthas

Thats what I was thinking hahah. I was like wow thanks for the intro failcopter.



Here I have an idea!! Everyone install an alarm, kill switch, and a club/clutch lock/ebrake lock! I can guarantee it will help curb theft!



inb4alltheidiotsbitchonhowthosedontwork.

Originally Posted by EJ8Bramaged

EX-Car Thief's advise -

I used to run with the wrong crowd and did stupid crap as a kid (16-18 years old). Don't hold it against me, I've changed my ways and paid back my dues.

First of all, understand that ANY CAR can be stolen.

Here are a few tips for parts or the entire car from being stolen.

Stereos - MOST COMMON
- Started right here in the midwest. Stereo install shop states to screw razor blades into the sides of your stereo compartment for 2 reasons - A) Blood left on the scene is DNA for police and B) most thieves will stop IMMEDIATELY when there is bleeding involved.

Wheels - 2 styles of locks - Car thieves carry lock keys with them, but if there are multiples, they move on. Inverted lugs are a bad idea all the way around, both 1/2" impacts and some 3/4" impacts are all that's needed to get them off

Spoilers/Wings - If you have an aluminum spoiler, then it probably needed to go anyways, but if you DON'T want it stolen, use "T" type screws heads as the bits are expensive and not worth getting for most thieves. Just so you know, these are the bits with the "dot" in the center

Entire Car - Most cars are not driven away. They're towed away, similar to what the guy said in his post. Most cars are not broken into when they're stolen either, but hooked up and hauled away. Always leave the car in gear, E-Brake up. A VERY visible alarm light in the front/rear windows is a huge deterrent; more than most people would admit. However, there are devices that people have access to that short circuit the alarm and entire electrical system just by the touch of the body of the car, similar to a "stun gun". These are only commonly used in Florida (Just a head's up). There's not really a way around this. If the thief does not have access to the "stunner" then they MAY break a window to obtain access to wiring under your dash or your dome light. Something as simple as tint can help stop this as GOOD tint will keep your window in tact quite well rather than easy-in, easy-out.

More tips available, but I have to head to work. Sorry. PM me if you have questions. Thanks.

Originally Posted by EJ8Bramaged

Best security device to date -

1997 Honda Accord 4 door - flashy car, 19" chrome rims, cameleon paint job! It was a little ridiculous.
The guy said he was sick of people trying to break into his car. His mechanic put a metal plate under each door handle, near the hood latch and trunk lid. When the alarm is activated, the metal plates run live electricity! Any one that touched the damn things would be shocked and their finger prints were burned into the plates!!!!

With the help of the police, those plates caught 6 thieves!!! He later was sued by one of the thieves due to a "heart problem" that was "caused" by the "shock" - Judge ordered him to remove the plates as cruel and unusual. He was not forced to give the thief anything though.