So I did search and read probably 100's of alarm threads, and here is my conclusion...

The stock alarm is basically pointless. Most alarms don't do much besides make noise, which no one cares about anyway. So, as much as it is joked about, do you think that putting an alarm sticker on the window is worth it? I mean, if it prevents one break in or one person from keying your car... then it certainly was.

So, what do you think. The $3.50 alarm, possibly 50% as affective as the $350 alarm?

Worth it or not? yes or no

 

really not worth it..crooks can if you're a cheap A$$ or not. unless you got 5% tinted windows like me...then it's hard for them to see. Conclusion don't be cheap.

 

The sticker alone may discourage some theives, even if you don't actually have an alarm.

 

Forget the alarm, put in an ignition kill switch.

 

I got the alarm so that i have scion to blame if my alarm doesnt trigger. it has happened.

 

yes.. only cuz people haven't set it on the most senstive setting. so make sure you do that :D

 

This is the only thing to do to help your car from getting stolen. Do this, and maybe throw on a shoe onto a rim and you should be good. Alarms are useless and easy to deactivate. I know someone who had to deactivate one (for whatever reason... not on a tc, a honda) and it took like half a sec. One little alarm noise and it was shut down.

GPS might help to track your car after it is stolen but it is also a waste of time.

The sticker might help but really there are few things that have any effect on someone not stealing your car...

 

How do you set the sensitivity on the alarm on the xB? Mine won't go off until a window is broken or something is dented or a cell phone rings inside the car.

 

the tc has a coded key, in other words your car can't be stolen unless they have your key, and you can buy an alarm that has a start kill, also to keep one from stealing it or undoing it, have the wires routed to the battery via the frame rail, and don't let them install the led

 

Yea you can do jumping jacks on my car but if you go inside it and move the cup holder it goes off...it really makes no sense..

 

http://tijil.org/Scion_Docs/04_xB_Sh...onSecurity.pdf

Page 20 shows how to adjust, page 27 how to test. This should have been done by the dealer, but seldom is.

Tom

 

Just take your steering wheel with you.

 

Stickers don't scare away car theives...

Have you ever watched someone steal a car? They hang around it, making sure nobody's looking. They prod and poke the car, testing for an alarm. They look in the windows, pull the door handles to see if it's unlocked... ect.

They don't just see an alarm sticker or blinking light and run.

-THE DON

 

Right, Don, the serious ones, the "professionals" aren't bothered by flashing lights and stickers, but some of the "casual" ones will see that and move on to possibly easier targets.

In other words an alarm won't stop 'em all, but it will stop some. It just reduces your chances of getting hit - it doesn't make you safe. Heck, people break into bank vaults if they really want to...

Tom

 

Im more worried about whats inside and outside the car getting stolen, more then the whole car so i bought this new alarm its called the Symtec Visionguard 8000 its pretty bad a$$ even with camera and motion sensors

 

Yes! That's a good solution. I'm not so much worried about the whole car either... wonder how well those cameras work at night?

Also, doesn't the stock (no upgraded alarm) tC already have a kill switch? Why's the light flash red inside on the stock tC? thanks

 

Nobody has mentioned that some thieves actually tow your whole car away.. Look it up, scary stuff.

 

It had night vision w/ flash built in and as for tyhe towing even if im parked up or down hill, i bought a 360 degree tilt motion sensor for the outside so as soon as someone comes to close or tries to mess with the car it will take a pix of them and send it to my transmitter

 

I only know a few people who have had their car stolen. but I have met countless people that have had their car broken into. imo most thieves just want what is inside your car. cd's, cash, stereo, and anything else you have lying around in the seat. keep things hidden or inside.

And I must say I love the little spaces under the trunk mat.
I use it for smuggeling drugs and very tiny mexicans into the country.

 

True but when you have alot of goodies on the outside i.e. carbon fiber lips and hoods there are still people that jack thaty stuff, someone in my city jacked a hood and lip at the scion dealer. My dealer was tealing me they just walked out to the car ripped it off and rolled