I respectfully disagree with Frankie on this one, maybe because my car is not "that nice" all over. I use it for pleasure and sometimes pleasure includes groceries, Lowes, date night, etc. I cannot envision watching it all the time, it ceases then to be a useful car. This is one big reason I'm OK with it not being a frame-off heirloom beauty.

As far as being stolen, I consider this to be MUCH less likely than if I were driving a late model truck. Stolen classics make good press but they are a TINY percentage of thefts.

As far as using my concealed carry gun (my Colt Government yes, or anything else) to defend the car... I would never choose to shoot someone over parked property. However I would most assuredly approach someone trying to steal my car, and the choices they made afterward would determine if they were a threat to my PERSON, which influences the situation. I doubt many here would not confront someone obviously jacking their car.

 

No problem with disagreeing at all.

Me and the wife took the split window to Chili's last night...had prime parking right in front and sat at a high top table with a good view of the car. No issues in that scenario.

The car prob had 35 people all over it during dinner; but all within eyesight...

 

Unfortunately, I'm with Frankie! And I don't mean it's unfortunate that I agree with Frankie, it's just unfortunate that we are forced into the situation where you can't leave your car out of your site!

No matter how much insurance you have on the car, you just can't insure memories that you may have had with that particular vehicle.

I hate friggin thieves!!!

 

Wasn't it posted here recently that some thugs approached someones father in law in his vintage Mustang at a stop lite with the intentions of absconding with it? They decided not to and to just f/o instead when he brandished his hand gun.
"Clubs" are almost as little deterrent than anything else since I saw a video where a thief demonstrated how he could hacksaw the steering wheel in 15 seconds. A little stretch and the club was on the ground.

 

If all disabling techniques fail then go to Trackimo.

$99 for unit and 1 yr service. $5 per month yr 2+.

As thick and a little bigger than two large match books stacked. I've ordered one for my Xmas "drone" in case it flyaway's as they say. Weighs less than 2 oz.

Need power and a ground lead - track via the supplier or on your iPhone/ droid with App worldwide. Battery power lasts 2 weeks to one month...

http://www.trackimo.com/index.php/en/

No affiliation with the supplier but I'll be testing it by putting one in my neighbors 64 vette next weekend.....

 

How would know if it fails?

 

Any special powering needs, risk w Lipo battery, unit fails out of box, special fusing requirements, inability to be on constant charging.... In ability to be hidden and I don't know what else even maybe my neighbor doesn't like the color.

If all was perfect I would have won the lottery last Wed

 

I'm sure that trackino or whatever operates on public frequencies and can be jammed with the inexpensive jammer cited above. Yes the Club can be cut off - if the thief wants to cut the steering wheel - a wheel with a metal core is a little more trouble and time though.
This means the thief has to carry burglary tools (hacksaw) adding another crime to his list and perhaps be seen sawing away in the car...
These are all time-delay deterrents.

As to a hand gun during a car-jacking; that's more defensible from the cases I've seen in Florida - the presence of a person in the vehicle elevates this from a mere property crime, unlike an unattended vehicle.

 

I guess this really stems on what type of town you guys live in. Where I live this is one thing I never even think about. Car theift is a rare occurrence around here. But I agree with what Frank has been saying this whole thread. All your fancy electronics can be shut down by more fancy electronics. Theives know there pray and how to get it in a mater of seconds. Just be smart while enjoying your car.

 

If you kill the criminal his family will sue you for loss of their loved one. This was pointed out to me when I took the Texas concealed carry class=>no concealed license for me. Even if you win the lawsuit you lose the expense of defense. Run as fast as you can and let the crook have the car. Cheaper in the long run and you can always get another one. You avoid him shooting back at you as well.

 

The steering wheel displayed was a metal core - that why the HACKsaw.

Its refreshing to see some new technology suggestions for perusal in this installment anti theft thread instead of the same old same old get good insurance, it's only a car blah blah. We all know that. I look foreword to when someone brings up/asks about new technology for discussion in these threads.

 

I have seen motion-activated flame throwers come out from under a disturbed car...is that the new technology you're talking about ? Most whiz bang "new" technology I hear about is a prettied up rehash of old ideas.

 

I always liked the flamethrower idea but maybe not for me.
New technology is new technology. I'm interested to hear the pros and cons of all anti theft technology. Something will work someday we all hope. I'm one of those brain dead guys that like to use his car.

 

Guys, forget the security system for a moment.

What really threw me was that you guys let your wife drive the car !?

Not just no,but hell no.

I bought it for me, not her and I have enough on my plate without having her call me when something acts up on it.

She has reserved rights to the passenger seat whenever she wants to. :>)

 

Agreed, big time.
Women aren't wired right to make sense of cars like these.
They're not hard to make run, but they take all kinds of accomodation from working shifter
to driving without passenger mirror, to yada, yada yada.
And it is kind of important to pay attention to gauges.
Anyone know a woman that does that?

 

This is getting somewhat OT, but I'll bite as usual:

I get the sense from all over the forum that a certain population doesn't want their wife driving their car more because it is a kind of "selfish possession" which is just not my style. This is true for the late model guys too I've noticed. In my case, my wife would be welcome to drive the C2 if she had any interest in it, but it would take a lot of practice- 1) she has never learned to drive a stick and doesn't want to 2) she is roughly my age, 34, and didn't grow up with old cars, so she doesn't drive as if there isn't any stability control, traction control, abs, there to help her out of small errors in judgment- her daily ride is a new X5. Her safety is more important than the car (and the car is important, to a lesser degree). I do not see her driving it anytime, but I would be glad to take time to work with her.

Physics cannot be ignored in modern rides, but they can be "fudged" - not so in 50 year old cars.

 

OH..this is so off topic is is a joke.

I HATE it when people thinks that they are better than others.

I grew up with four older sisters. And I can tell you this...I know SEVERAL women that would make you wish you did not challenge them in a race or the ability to be able to make quick decisions when driving. And I witnessed a woman who worked at the Fruehauf plant I worked at that parked the 48 foot trailers out in the yard waiting on delivery. The guys who took her up on a challenge on how close they could park the trailers together. Each person did 5 trailers and parked them side by side. And she would win EVERY TIME. She got them so close that I could not ball up my fist and slide it between the trailers sideways. NO damage to any trailer...EVER. It was COMMON KNOWLEDGE...She was the BEST!

What I can not grasp is that some guys ACTUALLY still think that a woman can not drive well. You better check your facts. Regardless of what some may think that the 'majority' is like....grouping them all in one comment is ridiculous.

And I feel sorry for all you guys who 'treasure' your Corvette and not allow your wife to enjoy it (if they want to but you won't let them). Because if you value your Corvette more then your wife...you have totally missed the mark...and I can not help you and you can go back and live in your 'bubble' now.

DUB

 

My wife has told me she never wants to drive my newly restored C2, and I understand her feelings because she knows how long I waited to get it back on the road.

However, I have also told her that she really needs to learn so that when I stroke out on some scenic by-way, she can get me to a medical facility (there's that selfish element again). She knows how to drive a stick, so come warm weather I'll become a driving instructor.

 

I guess I am just lucky, 45 years, 5 years in Manhattan, 40 years going getting groceries , and a few states (48) and a few countries, (15)..

It is just a car and to not be able to drive to get a cup of coffee , because I can't see my car......

But I live in Maine, and things are a bit different....so , get regular insurance, (daily driver) and enjoy your car......

PS my wife loves to drive my car.....and has for 30 years, so does my son, but he is 6'6" and it is a bit tight to shift and steer and not have your legs in the way or feet....

But I do understand the concerns.... ...

Jack

 

Still not out from under your four older sister's control? Sorry for that.
I didn't say women can't drive. They just cannot back up.
And they can't be trusted to safely operate our old relics. Yes, these are generalities and may not apply to each and every individual woman.
Just the majority of them.