Someone in another thread https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=437540 posted that anti-theft devices don't work and that they are a waste of money, and he referred me to the ITR forum and stated that many stolen ITRs had some kind of protection.

Now, as a journalist, I have begun researching stolen cars, particularly Hondas/Acuras (focusing on ITRs) to see if the other person's (civicdxtyper) comments have merit. I'm not getting paid to do this...I'm doing this to satisfy my own curiosity.

If you have had your car stolen, what kind of antitheft devices were used? I am very interested in those with LoJack or any other tracking device.

I don't want to know how your devices were defeated, but if you want to explain, that is up to you.

 

On a bad week there's 2-3 "My R just got stolen" posts

The fact of the matter is, our cars are being stolen by professionals, and no anti-theft countermeasure will stop them if they want it bad enough.

 

Car stolen with:

1. Alarm
2. Club
3. Autolock
4. Immobilizer key lock system
5. 4th floor in a private garage
6. Lojack

But, the car was recovered a few hours later because of Lojack.

 

j00 got lucky david

RIP 98ITR #773

 

So, do you feel that LoJack is worth it? One thing the other poster mentioned was that for every recovered car, there are probably more LoJack cars that aren't recovered.

 

I had Lojack, Autolock, and no alarm. My ITR has never been recovered.

 

did they ever find the lojack unit?

 

Car Stolen 2 years ago, Had Viper Alarm and LoJack. 2 days Before Christmas

<FONT COLOR="red">I</FONT> Found the car, NOT the cops, They did seem to drive by it probably 40-50 times though seeing as it was 1/4 mile from a Police station on a main road with Missing Tail lights, Wiring hanging out the back holes, Front end up in the air since the engine was MIA, and the hood sitting on the engine bay Crooked. Hell Even the Store 24 clerk (Car was next to the store on the road) saw it, Tells me "Oh I thought someone was just working on their car" He Then shut up, probably because I was turning a Deep Red color, had a Vein bulging on my forehead and was breathing fire from my nostrils.

Best was when the cops finally do come and Give me an attitude because <FONT COLOR="red">I</FONT> found the car. Needless to say I gave them a few choice words after their attitude and insinuating, Probably would have been arrested if it wasn't for a friend who came with me and pushed me into his car and said shut up and calm down. He dealt with them after that, Last thing I said was something about "not needing a Highschool education to realize something was wrong with the car and to take a look, but I guess you don't need a Highscool education to get into the BPD"

Lazy *** Cops
(I know many People in Law Enforcement (Local, State & FBI) I have a HIGH RESPECT for what they do, But I have NO respect for Lazy people, like the Local police that passed by my car all day for 2-3 days)

Going out and Finding your own ITR

 

Lojack or ANY Alarm are ONLY as good as the installation.
If you got the run of the mill job 90% of the people out there get then its not much work for a thief. If you pay extra for the better install then you have a better chance (As long as the installer knows what they are doing and does an excellant job)

My feeling with alarms is that you Should pay twice as much for the Install Vs price of the Alarm.

 

I'm of the mindset that the devices can never be 100% effective, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna make it easier for the potential thief.

 

this mindset is more effective for cars that are not limited production
a thief will pass up an ACCORD with muti-layered defenses fully knowing he will find another one down the block...

but a thief will not pass up an ITR even if it has two pitbulls in the front seats bc he may not see another ITR for the next year...

i hope you understand what we are up against

 

I never looked at it that way...very good insight.

 

Layering is the key, however I would assume that most ITR's that are stolen either A) have little or no security (the stock alarm is more for looks and the convenience of keyless entry) or B) are towed.

It takes all but a few minutes at most to bypass the stock alarm and getting into an integra is easier than opening a can of soda.

 

mine is gone...

 

Mine was stolen. Had an Alpine alarm with: door, hood, hatch, tilt, 2 stage microwave sensors, starter kill. Never got her back.

Buddies R had factory alarm and the Boomerang system(like Lo-Jack, but uses the cell phone network to track the car). His was stolen twice, recovered in under an hour both times....then he sold the car as he was sick of it getting stolen.

 

interior stolen while at a shop and left outside overnight...so they say.