Beware Honda Thiefs~

Hi my name is AsiaAnne and I live in the great Las Vegas Nevada area. We have
the highest rate in the state for stolen Honda's and they are usually the
1999 and younger Honda Accords which I have a 1997. I LOVE my car~I have deep
tinted windows~a bomb azz stereo systems~18' chrome rims with the expensive
low profile perellis but now since I've done all this work I see th people
just staring like "dayum" I want that~NOW~~~ I have bought the Viper alarm
system,the "club" for the steering wheel and also the new steering coluum
lock that is suppose to prevent people from stealing the car~I want to get a
"Low Jack" system on it but dayum that costs a lot of money so what do you
think? I say to myself "If they steal the car after all that shyt is on there
they deserve it"~I would feel so violated if someone stole her not to mention
I would feel like a total idiot~Any suggestions? Thanx alot ~AsiaAnne

 

I don't think you'll stop a professional thief, regardless of what you
add to your car. You're really just trying to stop the casual crack
head, joyrider or someone looking for parts to swap into his car.
Advertise the fact that you have an alarm. Put blinky LEDs in
conspicuous places so they'll move to the next car.
For instance, quite a few off the shelf alarm systems will disarm when
you disconnect them so all a thief has to do is open the door (not
caring about whether the alarm has been set off or not), open the hood,
disconnect the battery terminals, cut the horn, wait a second or two
and reconnect them. Most likely he'll be able to start your car after
that or at least find your alarm box and hotwire it.

If you are really worried, perhaps wire a simple hidden switch in
series with the power to your fuel pump - when off, the car will start
once and stall after less than a minute or so. Hide the switch
someplace a thief would not be looking for it (like in the trunk). When
you're going through your daily routine, leave the switch on - just
rely on your regular alarm system. When you park your car overnight or
someplace you are really worried about, turn the switch off.

Remco

 

Its annoying on my insurance bill. If I select similar none Honda
model, it might be 10-15% cheaper.
In my state and generally in the USA Accords and Civics
both have the highest total and highest percent.
I'm guessing there much be good resale market for both
whole cars and parts. Souped up civics have been the
choice cars for informal street racing for some time.

When my 1990 Civic got long in the tooth, I noticed my key
opened other similar cars. Once in the while I'd accidently
go to nearby civic of the same shape, color and condition
and accidently enter it, just like that Southwest Airlines TV
commercial about mistaken cars. I'm guess whne the keys
and cylinders wear down enough they must become skeleton
keys. Or Honda sold very few key types.

Also the triple-AAA locksmith was able to jiggle open the lock
in less than a minute when I locked my keys inside.

 

You don't need a locksmith to get into most cars: visit a fleamarket
and buy a flatjack at one of the tool stands - this is basically a flat
piece springy steel with a hook on the end. It slips in between the
window and the rubber.
Practice on the cars you own and you'll be able to open up pretty much
any car in less than a minute.

 

I understand that the windows are a weak point for entry into your car,then
they tear apart the steering column to pop the ignition lock cylinder.It
happened to a neighbor of mine,and then they tried to steal my Integra.
My alarm alerted me and I went out there (armed) and chased them off.

IMO,getting a locking steering column collar will ward off most thieves.
I have not found one specifically for Honda/Acura,only for Toyotas.

 

I read in the paper recently about auto thefts being done with ground-down
keys.They grind them very thin.

Then there's "slimjims".

 

Also called "slimjim".
I watched a locksmith use one,along with a thin wood wedge to hold the
window away from the door to keep from damaging the window or rubber trim.

Of course,having one in your car is "possession of burglary tools" unless
you are a locksmith or repo man.

 

Possession could be an offense - not sure what the law is here on that.
It would be a little silly, because any wire clothes hanger could be
used as a car jacking tool as well.

I have one in my toolkit to help stranded people out. Thus far I've
used it 6 times in three years. (actually got it after my daughter
locked herself out and had to try to break in with clothes hangers).

 

Move to a better location? {;^)

 

A wire clothes hanger is not specifically a tool for opening locked car
doors.

Yes,and the owner was present when you were using the tool to open her car.

 

To add more;the thieves pry out the window at the top where it slides into
a plastic clip,then use something to open the door lock.Coat hanger?

Using a big screwdriver or a dent puller.
Either way,the lock is now trashed.

But they failed,then stole his stereo,

the 2 thieves didn't move away from my car when I approached,-until I drew
the gun!
Thieves are getting pretty bold.

I may have to build one myself,as I may not always be around to respond to
my alarm.
If you cannot respond to your alarm,then it's essentially worthless,as no
one else will respond,and it takes TIME for police to arrive after being
called.

 

Essentially, yes. But some of the thieves now do not destroy the
ignition lock at all. It's simply magic. -- I don't know and don't
want to know how it's done without keys.

This is a good deterrent but inefficient. Will you be using
a 10 gauge steel? How are going to cut weld and bend
steel? What will make it freon proof?

 

I am not disagreeing with you whether it is or should be an offense.

Just understand that my reason for having one in my toolkit is not for
the purpose of stealing cars.
Was simply illustrating that anyone can open up any car without any
training - security isn't but what else is new?

Remco

 

The classic tool they used to defeat the club, which is sold at every home center,
is the same tool used to defeat the 16 gauge steel steering column lock. The
Lojack is false security.

Essentially, you went thru all the trouble but other simple solutions would work much
better an you won't have to even put them on when you leave the car. Practically,
your paranoia has stopped you from gracefully living your life.

One more thing, it's already been widespread that the Viper can be defeated in a
few seconds. The Viper alarm is a very weak contender, unless I install it against
Viper's regulations, which they WON'T allow it.

 

So basically either way I look at it if a thief wants my car it's thiers?
Which is cool like I sais I have almost everything a fukin Honda could get to
make them think twice but I know a crack head is a crack head and an alarm
will not stop them. I pay way too much for the car note alone to really care
to much if they steal it(462.01) and thats NOT including my insurance so if
they did steal it maybe I could save up and get a new Honda Thanx for all
the responds guys~I still love my Honda Asia

 

It's not "crackheads" who steal autos.
Maybe they might do a smash-n-grab of some easily removed item,but not the
whole auto.
The ones who take whole autos or major components are other auto
enthusiasts unwilling to do an honest day's work and PAY for their stuff..

Except you will not get the entire value of your working auto,nor for what
upgrades you installed aftermarket.
You'll get book value on an original 199X Civic,minus your deductible.
You probably will not be able to pay off your loan with the proceeds.