Vette Theft
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 180
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From: Atlanta GA
Vette Theft
Does anyone have any horror stories about someone trying to steal their vette? From reading posts it sounds like a lot of these cars are garage kept, but has it happened before? Also what are the preferred ways of protecting your vette? My roommate uses a pedal lock that looks like the Club. I'm drawing up a budget and I will use two or more antitheft methods to protect my car - just wanted to see what experiences you guys have had.... 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,220
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From: St. Robert Missouri
Have never had anyone try and take it (yet) and hope never to experience that. I know there have been serveral "horror" stories on this forum about someones Vette being stolen.
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis..._cars_bystate/
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis..._cars_bystate/
Last edited by srchief100; Jan 24, 2005 at 11:56 AM.
Race Director
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Vette thefts are rare at best. First, they stick out of the crowd. Next, parts are not worth more than the car as a whole (unlike some common imports). The demand for Vettes is low (by demand I mean 'orders' placed by individuals for certain cars).
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...
:
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...
:
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58,514
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
if you have an A4... you can get this little thing that locks over the shifter so the button cant be depressed to put the car in gear. I am pretty sure I have seen them in MAM catalog. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by bsmith
if you have an A4... you can get this little thing that locks over the shifter so the button cant be depressed to put the car in gear. I am pretty sure I have seen them in MAM catalog.
I saw that thing .. can't someone just drill a hole through the top of it and push the release button anyway?I know ... I know. It's just a deterrent more than anything. Thieves go for the easier targets.
Doesn't it suck that we have to think like this to begin with?
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
Vette thefts are rare at best. First, they stick out of the crowd. Next, parts are not worth more than the car as a whole (unlike some common imports). The demand for Vettes is low (by demand I mean 'orders' placed by individuals for certain cars).
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...:
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...
:
I had thought about buying a gun in case of anything extreme....too funny. Thanks for that stolen car list srchief100. It's weird to think that I had originally wanted to buy the Dodge Stratus Coupe b/c I didn't think I'd be able to buy a Vette. Sitting down, doing a budget, visiting a couple of dealerships I realized the Vette dream was possible. After seeing that list I'm glad I came to that conclusion.
Race Director
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Corv-Tico
I had thought about buying a gun in case of anything extreme....too funny. Thanks for that stolen car list srchief100. It's weird to think that I had originally wanted to buy the Dodge Stratus Coupe b/c I didn't think I'd be able to buy a Vette. Sitting down, doing a budget, visiting a couple of dealerships I realized the Vette dream was possible. After seeing that list I'm glad I came to that conclusion.
: I carry legally and with lots 'o training. Put your money into mods first. Congrats on achieving your dream though !
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Only one I have had someone try to steal was my very first one, a '79. I had a paging device on the car and it woke me up in the middle of the night. Looked out the hotel window, saw a couple of guys already in the car. Ran downstairs and yelled at them (from a distance). They packed up and drove off, leaving my car slightly damaged. Not had any problems with theft on the C5. There are several club like devices that you can buy for the car, but I'm not too sure just how effective they are.
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I hear that if they want it, they will not drive it away but flatbed it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Vette Doctors Performance RX450 - 466RWHP !!!
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
Vette thefts are rare at best. First, they stick out of the crowd. Next, parts are not worth more than the car as a whole (unlike some common imports). The demand for Vettes is low (by demand I mean 'orders' placed by individuals for certain cars).
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...:
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...
:Very Nice gun collection.....I guess your a MAIL MAN???
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The antitheft device on the car now is about as good as it gets. Without the correct key with the correct pill on the key the system will kill the fuel delivery, ignition and starter for a period of several minutes. If a correct or incorrect key is tried during the timer's on interval the timer resets to max time again. Then with the column locked (can't use screw driver on the column like other cars) the steering is also locked into some position so it is more difficult to push the car. The only way they are going to steal it is with a tow truck (or flat bed) or if they actually have the correct key.
Bill
Bill
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by C5inNY
The antitheft device on the car now is about as good as it gets. Without the correct key with the correct pill on the key the system will kill the fuel delivery, ignition and starter for a period of several minutes. If a correct or incorrect key is tried during the timer's on interval the timer resets to max time again. Then with the column locked (can't use screw driver on the column like other cars) the steering is also locked into some position so it is more difficult to push the car. The only way they are going to steal it is with a tow truck (or flat bed) or if they actually have the correct key.
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
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From: Machine Silver Z06 The Golden State......... Bay Area
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by MyVetteDream
Vette thefts are rare at best. First, they stick out of the crowd. Next, parts are not worth more than the car as a whole (unlike some common imports). The demand for Vettes is low (by demand I mean 'orders' placed by individuals for certain cars).
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...:
Any car can be targeted for burglary (breaking and taking your stuff). The taking the whole car happens, but not very often.
Just get good insurance. If they REALLY want it ... you know the rest.
As for method of protection ... take your pick ...
:
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Dixon Missouri
Originally Posted by srchief100
Have never had anyone try and take it (yet) and hope never to experience that. I know there have been serveral "horror" stories on this forum about someones Vette being stolen.
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis..._cars_bystate/
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lis..._cars_bystate/
Let's hope that never happens, would be a tragedy!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,939
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From: Baltimore Md.
I had my first vet stolenfrom my apartment complex in '75. I t was a new '73 coupe and the police found it burned to the ground in a corn field about 3am. I was afraid to buy another one until the '77's came out . I think they are alot more difficult to steal now and I have Lojack on one of mine.
Race Director
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by USA-VET
I'd have to wear a trench coat year round ...