Hey, I just got my scion tc, and unfortunately all I have is street parking. My boyfriend had his motorcycle stolen this summer (thank god he moved now), but ever since, I have been very paranoid of anything. Now we live together and he has a honda civic si, so we've got two flashy looking cars parked next to each other on the street, so we've been looking at car alarm systems. I'm calling a place on Monday to see how much they sell them for and how much it is to install, and I also am thinking of getting a club. Now, what are you guys' opinions on clubs? Does this make the car look like there's something in there to break in for? Should I just rely on the alarm system as long as I get a good one? I know a thief is going to get what they want if they know they want it and are a professional at it, but it would put my ease at mind if I can take all the precautions. It's so unfortunate there are people out there who will take something you have paid so much for...

 

If you've got deep pockets you can invest in a camera / voice recording set up that begins recording the moment the alarm is tripped in anyway. IMO a club doesn't do much, but then again I've never used one lol. If I were a criminal about to break into someones car, if I saw a club, I'd think to myself that's probably all they have. The alarm is definitely a good idea. See if you can incorporate a video / audio recording system with it. If you're paranoid as I am..you may like that idea LOL. I have intentions of getting several cameras and a couple microphones that record video and audio in all four corners of my car, mostly for the interior and maybe two positionable cameras on the exterior. I am HUGE on security, but funds do not allow for it lol. If it does for you, it would keep your paranoia in check haha.

 

That's a good idea too -- we were reading that the ones with the gps so you can track your car in case it is stolen, is also a fantastic idea. I do like that one a lot.

 

LoJack?

 

you can get a good alarm that starts beeping if someone gets too close/touches the car and lojack.

and they all usually have some sort of flashing light that is supposed to warn theifs "hey theres an alarm here"

the tC even has kind of a dummy one stock, on the waterfall it has the engine immobilizer light that blinks whenever the key isnt inside close by the ignition.

 

The only problem is that lojack isn't in wisconsin... so i would need something -like- it

 

if you wanted to get crazy complicated.

buy a laptop with a built in webcam and keep it safe in the car. get that one prog/serv that when it is stolen, you can call them and the next time someone turns on the laptop it will take their picture and location and send it to the service.

they steal your car, eventually the laptop would be found and used. then just trace it all back.

lol

your best bet is to just get a good alarm system then, or better yet go move somewhere with a garage.

 

hah, that is an idea. Ugh, i know.. just moved into a duplex and our landlords don't even use their garage (its old and looks like its about to cave in, so i can see why), and i def wasn't planning on getting a new car anytime soon, it was kind of a spontaneous thing.

 

get a car alarm if lojack is not available......and the tC is not startable without the key as it has imobilizer,any car thief smart enough to get around it would steal the car no matter what

 

hell yeah it is, anything that adds half a minute to a possible 10 minutes to
the total time it takes to steal you car is worth while. i have a club and a
gorilla grip.

on top of an alarm, but screw the nay-saying some people live in this little
world where they think their car alarm is the stop all of car security which it
isnt.

trust me i live in the everett, wa area. if its not nailed down its probably
going to be gone that night.

 

get a 2 way alarm so it tells u someones touched your car or w/e and put a gps on ur car.

i live in las vegas.. and so many cars get stolen.. but from what i noticed its mostly hondas.. sooo ur boy friend should put a 2 way alarm and a gps forsure.

 

Just don't put anything your not willing to lose inside your car. There is nothing that will stop someone from breaking in or taking your car if they really wanted to. Ask a repo man (basically a legit carjacker).

 

take a look at a company called autopage's c3 system. very interesting and blows lojack out of the water and its available everywhere.

 

I'm from Milwaukee too and have a decent idea of what 'hoods are common for break ins. Where about do you live?

I can tell you straight away anywhere near UWM or Riverwest is prime location to get your car jacked or vandalized...

Aside from that:
- Make sure nothing of value is visible from outside
- Keep your hatch cover off to show you don't have anything in the trunk (I've been followed before by people that heard bass on my old car)
- Dont tint the windows. Car thieves love it because the window pops out in one piece, then they can steal in privacy behind the remaining dark windows.
- Don't put any blinking LEDs in plain view of someone walking by. It says "I have something worth stealing inside"

hth

 

club sucks its very easy to get rid of for a real car theif, your better option is lojack or I can't remember the name but its basically a club like mechanism that attaches to your gas peddle thing is beastly heavy though

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCuVZtzuv2Y
the club sucks

 

you could always just hire someone to stand by your car carrying the club that you bought to whack anyone that tries to do anything!

 

I like that idea!!

But really, thank you guys for all of the suggestions/advice!