Locking Convertibles?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,744
Likes: 3,671
From: The Sunshine State
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I always lock mine, top up or top down. However I usually don't park it anywhere, outside my garage, with the top down unless I'm with it (show, event, etc.).
I agree with the previous posts about thieves and their desire to hit the easiest targets. We had a rash of auto and home break-ins in our "gated"
community last year. The cops think it was local and bored neighborhood kids. Some people left their cars open with a garage door opener inside the vehicle. The thieves then opened the garage door and then opened the unlocked door to the home inside the garage. Guess what happened...
I know a pro auto thief can get any car they really want, however I just like to cut down the odds a little bit. It's not the money, rather the time and energy I've invested into the Vette that cannot be recovered.
I agree with the previous posts about thieves and their desire to hit the easiest targets. We had a rash of auto and home break-ins in our "gated"
community last year. The cops think it was local and bored neighborhood kids. Some people left their cars open with a garage door opener inside the vehicle. The thieves then opened the garage door and then opened the unlocked door to the home inside the garage. Guess what happened...I know a pro auto thief can get any car they really want, however I just like to cut down the odds a little bit. It's not the money, rather the time and energy I've invested into the Vette that cannot be recovered.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 286
From: Puyallup Washington
We never lock our 2002 BMW M roadster. Having done upholstery on collector cars for the last 25 years I have received too many calls from people who locked their convertible and now needed new tops as a thief slashed the top, reached in and unlocked the doors. We just never leave anything of value in our car. If someone wants to steal the car a locked door will not stop them. If they just want valuables, they can open the door and see there is nothing of value in the car to take.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Lock it. It's an extra layer of protection. Our vehicles are locked w/ alarms on, and secured inside our attached garage/shop, which is also alarmed/monitored. And "lock" your wall garage door openers at night even if you have a rolling code system.
Property crimes are usually opportunistic. The large majority of property crime thieves are not genius and they're fairly lazy. Make it easy for them and they'll take advantage of your generosity and naivete. They want in and out w/o bringing attention to themselves.
Make them work for it...maybe they'll break into someone else's car instead.
Property crimes are usually opportunistic. The large majority of property crime thieves are not genius and they're fairly lazy. Make it easy for them and they'll take advantage of your generosity and naivete. They want in and out w/o bringing attention to themselves.
Make them work for it...maybe they'll break into someone else's car instead.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
I would never leave my Convertible unlocked, it just doesn't make sense. Your leaving the car too vulnerable with no alarm and too easy of access. Most thieves looking to steal contents will go for the easiest and fastest target, an unlocked car. If they are looking to steal the whole car then if they want it bad enough and if they are good enough they will get it locked or not.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 419
Likes: 3
From: Lexington VA
St. Jude Donor '11
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,056
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
i never leave mine unlocked when i am forced to park it somwehere
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 597
Likes: 9
From: near Newburypot MA
Some years ago a guy caught a kid trying to steal his 67 Vert, and beat him up somewhat ... and then the vert owner went to jail for 10 days and paid the hospital bills and lost wages to the crook kid ... Gotta love this country ....
I always lock my vert, though I never go to malls or big cities with it ...
I don't want to share my toys with people who chose not to pay for there toys.
I always lock my vert, though I never go to malls or big cities with it ...
I don't want to share my toys with people who chose not to pay for there toys.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
OK- so now I have a question- since GM put a trunk release on the dash- it is very easy to get into the trunk with top down right? Why didn;t they at least put it somewhere like inside the console instead of (or along with )the gas door remote? At least that way if you wanted to leave the top down and a few things in the trunk the release would be in a locked console.
and on this subject- has anyone done a mod to require the trunk release to only work with ignition on- or other way to make the trunk a little more secure???
and on this subject- has anyone done a mod to require the trunk release to only work with ignition on- or other way to make the trunk a little more secure???
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 30,770
Likes: 41
From: Down the Shore New Jersey, Elev.3 feet
St. Jude Donor '17
OK- so now I have a question- since GM put a trunk release on the dash- it is very easy to get into the trunk with top down right? Why didn;t they at least put it somewhere like inside the console instead of (or along with )the gas door remote? At least that way if you wanted to leave the top down and a few things in the trunk the release would be in a locked console.
and on this subject- has anyone done a mod to require the trunk release to only work with ignition on- or other way to make the trunk a little more secure???
and on this subject- has anyone done a mod to require the trunk release to only work with ignition on- or other way to make the trunk a little more secure???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
I always lock mine top up or down, doesn't matter. But I'll only leave the top down when I park the car in a trusted area and still lock the car. If you feel uncomfortable leaving your car unlocked then you should take the time and raise the top, windows and lock the car because after all it takes less than a minute to do, so don't be lazy and don't invite trouble.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 110
Likes: 1
Sorry-my bad
Rats !!!- I apologize- this is prolly in the owner's manual right??? 
Just tried it- you are correct sir. Well- as I said before I'm new to C5's- so an old guy that had 7 Vettes can still ask a dumb newbie question I guess.
Just tried it- you are correct sir. Well- as I said before I'm new to C5's- so an old guy that had 7 Vettes can still ask a dumb newbie question I guess.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,056
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
I must be the weird guy. or odd man out...... I almost never lock my C5 Convertible unless I am staying overnight in a Motel ...
I do not lock any of my coupes either...
Maybe I live in a better part of town them most of you guys...I.m 67 been around the sun enough times to dry the water out of my ears and I've never had any problems ..nothing stolen, nothing damaged... OR Maybe I'm just lucky
Bob G.
I do not lock any of my coupes either...
Maybe I live in a better part of town them most of you guys...I.m 67 been around the sun enough times to dry the water out of my ears and I've never had any problems ..nothing stolen, nothing damaged... OR Maybe I'm just lucky
Bob G.