How hard is it to steal a 370z?

gumpy

I heard wheel locks are a small deterant for someone that knows what they're doing. It'll maybe had 30 seconds to their work of getting your wheels.

Sorta like pad locks on airline luggage, once you know how to pick locks they don't pose much of a threat... Or someone with a bolt cutter or a knife to slash the side of the bags.

gpolak

Maybe true, but still a tiny price to pay to eliminate the amateurs out of the equation.

vividracing

I've lived in AZ since I was 6, been involved with cars since about 14, and been in the Honda scene since 16. Hondas are the #1 stolen car, and it's BAD here in AZ. I've also worked as an alarm installer. If they want your car, they WILL take it. I had a car stolen while the head was off of it and it was boxed in with 3 other cars.

A guy I know had his modded Civic stolen from the emergency room parking lot. They even had fake repo paperwork to show hospital security.

This is possible for sure, and very easy for anyone that has access to ECU programming capabilities. Just about any tech at a dealership can do this afaik.

Most newer cars that are stolen are either joyrides OR shipped out of the USA. There's several countries around the world that require VERY little paperwork for cars, so once it's out of the US it's not hard to register. Eastern Europe, Middle East, Central/South America, etc.


One of the 1st things I learned in Brakes, Steering, and Suspension class in my Auto Tech program was how to defeat wheel locks. Even an amateur thief knows how. Now that companies are offering quiet electric impacts for like $129 it's even easier.

Wheel locks are really good for making your wheels harder to get than the next guys, but I wouldn't say they're going to stop or even deter a really determined thief.

Here's what I recommend for every auto enthusiast:

• Directed Electronics aka DEI (Makers of Viper, Hornet and other nice alarms) 2 way paging system
• Backup battery
• Tilt sensor. Triggers alarm if your car is jacked up. Good way to know if someone is trying to tow your car or steal your wheels.
• Radar sensor REQUIRED for roadsters/convertibles. Reduces chance of thief slashing your top to gain entry. Optional for hardtop/coupe/sedan. Good measure to prevent keying.
• STAY AWAY FROM BIG BOX STORES!! Do you really think that the kid making $9/hr at Best Buy or Audio Express isn't going to be tempted to program a remote to your alarm, and write your address down from the work ticket? I've personally seen the shop managers at more than one place do this. It's a great scam for them. They get paid to install your stereo and alarm, they come steal it and sell it, then you come back with your insurance check and they get paid to install new stuff. Go somewhere with installers that take pride in their work or install it yourself. I'd also suggest putting down the wrong address on any forms.

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kenchan

that is so sad.

JRHollywood

Good to know. I live out in the burbs and don't frequent areas like Metrocenter, no real reason to, but none the less I always wondered about my soft top and it being prime for theft/damage trouble. Looks like I'll look into the tilt & radar sensors for sure now.

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2010 370Z Roadster
2007 Hummer H3

Vegitto-kun

I never got the metal tag with my keys

370ZzZz

After readin this thread, I'm glad I live where i do lol

kenchan

why go to a restaurant in a high theft area in the first place? find another restaurant...(?)

Lee123

I appreciate all the suggestions, even those telling me we should avoid the area, but lots of people go there and percentage wise only a few have problems. There are many crowded restaurants around there, and the mall has the normal assortment of stores and quite a bit of business. I was interested in finding out how hard, or easy, it would be to steal the car since it is entirely different than any I have owned before with the electronic control, push button, and no key. I thought it would be hard to steal other than with a flat bed and wanted to verify that. I figured if I just asked the question "how hard is it to steal a 370z?" with no explanation it would sound like I hoped to start a collection. So I mentioned the restaurant which is probably the most risky place I ever leave my car. When I go there I park in front of the building in a well lighted area with people coming and going. If thieves had bogus key units and could walk up, get in, start the car, and drive away I'd be worried. I'm not to worried about someone loading it on a flat bed while while the restaurant is still busy. I love the car and am willing to take reasonable precautions to keep it safe, but not to make significant changes to our habits.

kenchan

if they wanted to really steal your car, they will flat bed it infront of everyone. that way it doesn't look suspicious at all.

most popular stolen cars are older cars used for parts. newer cars are stolen more by joyriders...and it will be more difficult with immobilizer. they will steal it if they really wanted it and just flat bed it. it only takes a few minutes.

Brendanhay

cars are stolen with tow trucks now a days. Help I need front end parts for my 370Z

WhiskeyHotel

Here's the stats:

Median theft rate for all vehicles model year 1990 and above - 3.58 per 1,000
Median theft rate for 370Z in 2009 - 1.43 per 1,000 (Only 16 reported stolen out of 11,208)

My take - not worth worrying about.

DCNISMO

Shopping malls are a thieves superstore for stealing cars and stealing items things out of cars.....To buy my first house and get extra money, I worked part time security at a large east coast mall and saw it all happen myself. Malls are NOT safe to park in even if you have an car alarm and people get robbed at malls and assaulted too. Malls are a gathering place of rich, poor, thugs, nerds, emos, gangs, and all kinds....Park near a lighted entrance is your best deterrent....park way out on some lot far from an entrance or all alone in a level of a parking garage.....your a target.

TheGreatOne

I only worry about flatbed

Thats why my buddy always told me not to be the first guy parked at the end of a street, always have a car parked infront of you so you can't be towed.

I always preferred being "first in line" so to speak so that I didn't have to worry about some guy backing up and hitting me to get into or out of a spot...but, better than making it easy for someone to flatbed your ride away I guess

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2017 SUBARU STI
2008 E60 M5 - SOLD
2010 40th Anniversary 370Z - SOLD (and missing her)

TypeOne

I imagine it would be pretty hard to steal the car, unless you had access to a tow truck. Even at that point, it would only be good for parts.