How hard is it to steal a 370z?

Jeffblue

as many of you know probably, my wheels were stolen off my car parked in my driveway. I did not have wheel locks on, as the dealer didn't have them in stock when i bought the car, and i didn't have time to get them after the fact. I had the car for less than 3 weeks. So yea, no wheel locks, no alarm, in front of my house in a nice neighborhood. you guys think wheel locks alone would have stopped this?

Needless to say, wheels replaced by insurance, in garage, wheel locks installed, viper alarm with tilt sensor/audio sensor/smart start will be installed on thursday.

Will your insurance company ever declare your car totalled if it has been stripped enough?

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.

SS66

What about a tracking device you can mount or hide in the car. It doesn't matter if they tow or drive it away. Just use a program to follow and track your cars final destination.

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