12 replies to this topic

[dh_si]

What additional security measures do you guys take when tucking your VX up at night? What would be the best 'thing' to buy to stop\deter any thieving (place you own word here) stealing it? cheers

[MRK30]

Yep...I agree with Skiddo...if the little bar stewards want your motor...they'll get it (or at least damage it in the process). Obviously alarms / tracker stickers all help to disuade them from picking on your car and I suppose a steering wheel lock will hold them up a few mins, but short of tieing an alsation to the bumper everytime you leave it, its in the lap of the gods. For me I rely on the VX being one of the only ones in my area so it's hardly conspicuous plus I make sure the cabin is empty of anything worth nicking when left in a public area and I choose the parking spot carefully..all common sense I suppose. (I'm touching a lot of wood now I've said all that)

[JimH]

I don't think there is much you can do. I've always thought that the joy riders were too thick to get around the immobiliser and the pros were not interested in such low volume cars. I reckon the only problem are druggies trying to steal your radio so I always take the faceplate with me. Other than that there is only the problem of people vandalising it and there is sod all you can do about that.

[jneill]

And things have got to the state where even hiding your keys at night could cause you problems; didn't an Elise owner end up with broken bones because he wouldn't tell some b*stard where his keys where... I'd rather they just took the motor and left me and my family alone. It's not worth it (and it's very rare so don't have nightmares....!) James

[Jase_MK]

There's nothing to nick inside and I don't think it is very attractive to joyriders etc. When you watch police camera action (or whatever) you see 'em pulling the handbrake mid chase and jumping out into a hedge before the car has come to a stop and then proceeding to run through some back gardens. Can you imagine them trying to jump out of a moving VX! It's not like you can throw open the door and make a quick run for it - they'd have to slide the seat back, perhaps roll the roof back a bit... I don't think a joyrider would last very long in the VX anyway, they'd almost certainly end up losing control very very quickly. I'm sure I have said before but I was parked up in a bit of a dark spot about a month ago next to my brothers Kev'd up Corsa. Went for a meal and came back to find that someone had tried quite hard (although not hard enough) to break into his car. dented bodywork all around the door frames on both sides and the locks were shagged. Not a scratch on the VX.

[mart356]

Personally I always try and invite a mate with a nice car over and get him to park it next to my VX - in the hope that the fukers would prefer to slash the roof of a Porsche or Merc SLK than a rather original and beautiful VX I mean if you only had one can of spray paint, which car would you rather draw a knob on and write w*nker all over? The porsche is an obvious choice !!!!!

[JimH]

And things have got to the state where even hiding your keys at night could cause you problems;

Now immobilisers and the like have reached a reasonable level of sophistication I reckon that we will see a lot more crime along these lines. It will be the only course of action open to the lower end of the car crime market.

I suspect it is why more manufacturers are becoming interested in keyless entry systems.

[DJG]

Personally I wouldn't worry about it, specialist low volume cars tend to be stolen to order but, and no disrespect to the cars it is only a Vauxhall. Professional thieves wouldn't touch it because of limited resale market and export potential, low end scum generally cannot bypass standard security and as already stated once they are in it's not easy to get out. Vandalism, well that can happen to anyone, owned a Boxster in the past had it scratched within 2 hours of picking it up, also had my company car done twice. It's really not worth the worry, just enjoy the drive.

[mal_dun]

My cars always have additional security devices implanted. Even if I can't stop 'em, someone else can find them.

[Blanchie]

Just to add what other have said, If they want it they'll take it, I have a big Disklock on mine to stop the petty car thief / joyrider. But the Pro will proberly just pick it up and put it on a back on of flat bed truck. But out of choice i believe a thief will take whats easyest. Just my little bit of input.

[cheeky_chops]

Absolutely. Watched a prog on house burglars (similar ) and two ex crooks went around houses saying what they made things easier and/or tempting. Same with cars - if you leave a laptop bag on the floor (even if its only got your sandwiches in) dont be surprised to find your sandwiches gone and window broke. Like a house, net curtains in all the windows would have prevented prying eyes....

[benw]

You've got three types of plonkers out there: 1 - The casual opportunists who smash the window or force the lock to get in and nick your stereo or go joyriding. As previously stated - thick as two planks and deterred by the security systems that come with most cars these days. Mostly uniterested in the VX for joyriding so just make sure you keep your possesions out of sight. 2 - The mindless vandals who scratch/dent your car 'cos they're jelous. Nothing you can do about it unless you employ an armed guard. 3- And the professionals who'se living depends on nicking cars. They know their way around just about every security system, and if they don't they break in to your house and steal the keys or mug you in the street. Again, verry little you can do about it. I take the precaution of hiding my keys because insurance companies have been known to refuse a claim becuase the keys were used to gain entry to the vehicle