Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Vehicle stolen tonight... Does Lojack work?

[GBrock]

My 1987 VW Scirocco 16V in mint restored and modified condition was stolen tonight. This is the 4th crime I am a victim of this year so needless to say I am fuming about this.



Thankfully, it wasn't my beloved CTD but nontheless this little scirocco was my "baby". I primarily kept it in storage but I let it out to allow one of my workers do some errands for the past few days (he wrecked his car last week). He took it home, with my permission, tonight and it was ripped off an hour later.



I inquired about a Lojack type system earlier this year and I was surprised how many guys commented that it's hardly worth it (reasons ranging from unreliability to theives being able to easily disable it). Wish I had one on that little 'rocco now because I would kill the guy who jacked it if they were able to track him down.



So I am now looking to protect my CTD. I'm outta' business if that thing gets ripped. Any suggestions as to the best way to protect myself? And please don't tell me insurance. We all know the ins company isn't going to give me anything near what I have spent on the truck.



Amazing how you get pulled over for anything these days yet they can't seem to find the car with an APB (or whatever the modern term is these days). In the past two weeks, between my workers and I, we've been pulled over 3 times in that car. Once for no front licence plate, another time for lic. plate lights being too dim (great use of taxpayer dollars there), and yet another for expired inspection sticker. The cops put out a bulletin to look out for the car and suddenly they can't find it. They had no problem finding us the past two weeks.

 

[CogginsP]

Sounds like a horrible case of bad luck to me . All of these horror stories have got me really worried about my CTD. Honestly I don't know what I would do if somebody stole it. I am interested in hearing more about this Lojack system... obviously it has to be pretty easily disabled... but come on what if you hide it REAL well? I want to hear more... .



Phil

 

[GBrock]

Cops found the car... withing 4 hours. Of course it's totaled. FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I put a ton of work and $$$ into that little car. It was my airport commuter, 33mpg. Damn!



Naturally, they didn't catch the perp. He got away. Hopefully they'll be able to get a print or hair sample... something to catch this little prick. I hope they get him so I can get a piece.



You just don't mess with another man's vehicle... do don't ****ing do it! It's suppose to be that simple.



Goes to show you, even if I had lojack, the car can still get totaled.

 

[CogginsP]

Glad the vehicle was found GBrock, if nothing else just a new project to work on, sorry to hear that iw as totalled. I hope they catch him so they can put that sucker in jail... one less scumbag for me to worry about.

 

[Warpig]

"(he wrecked his car last week)" I don't know your employee, but I would seriously take a close look at him. Was the ignition popped? If he told you that he accidently left the keys in it he is probably full of bull. A lot of cars in my area are reported stolen after the crack dealer is late returning it to the sorry SOB that lent it to him for crack. We in Law Enforcement call it a "Basehead Rental. "

Of course, you have the employee smashing the work car, then reporting it stolen to save his/her *****.

Sorry to hear about your loss.



Tim W.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I've got an alarm w/ GPS... it will call you on your cell phone if the alarm is tripped, and you can set which triggers will call you... so, if I get a door alarm or tilt alarm (tow truck), it calls me, and I can log on and see exactly where the vehicle is, real time tracking.

 

[BTowler]

Lojack doesn't work everywhere, only in the major cities that have ponied up for the antenna system. Go with one of the new GPS based locator systems, which works everywhere. Lojack is only monitored by the Police, you can access your vehicle location online with the GPS systems.

 

[GBrock]

Lojack doesn't work everywhere, only in the major cities that have ponied up for the antenna system. Go with one of the new GPS based locator systems, which works everywhere. Lojack is only monitored by the Police, you can access your vehicle location online with the GPS systems.

Any suggestion on what brand to go with? Maybe I should just go to BestBuy and ask them?



Thx for the advice.

 

[GBrock]

"(he wrecked his car last week)" I don't know your employee, but I would seriously take a close look at him. Was the ignition popped? If he told you that he accidently left the keys in it he is probably full of bull. A lot of cars in my area are reported stolen after the crack dealer is late returning it to the sorry SOB that lent it to him for crack. We in Law Enforcement call it a "Basehead Rental. "

Of course, you have the employee smashing the work car, then reporting it stolen to save his/her *****.

Sorry to hear about your loss.



Tim W.

Nah, wasn't him. No way. He's a bit of a knucklehead kid but an honest guy nonetheless. He's not a dummy nor a drug addict and he has watched me personally send former contractors to jail as a result of my pursuit. So he knows I have a zero-tolerance for theives. He has been in charge of my properties and my $40,000 in tools while I'm out on trips for more than a year. Had way too many opportunities to rip me off and just would never do it. Believe me when I tell you I would have never loaned my car to this guy if I didn't trust him.

 

[BTowler]

Try Millenium GPS or MicroTrak, those are the only two I know of, but there are others. I don't think Best Buy is carrying these systems yet, it is through independant dealers.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

Did you say you were in Phoenix GBrock or no?



My truck got stolen from my job 1st day at work. I'd been living in Phoenix for just a few weeks. I had been on Phoenix insurance for 1 day... insurance company loved that one.



I love those late 80s 16v VWs.

 

[raxley]

not exactly a alarm, but I'm going to get one

I'm really enjoying the TDR! I'm searching for stuff tonight, went here first for alarm data (I got my 05 Reg cab about a week ago) and by looking at the links provided (another 'alarm' thread) I got to a place http://www.nohotwire.com/index.html

Ravelco is a kind of armored wiring thing that has a plug that goes on your key ring, and when it isn't plugged in, it has multiple wires that keep various parts of your truck from working (fuel pump, ignition, etc. ) Apparently it hasn't been defeated when it's been used for the last 30 something years.

I plan to hot rod my truck, and I'll have one of these things and also another alarm, I think that they would have to tow it then.

I called up Ravelco tonight (866 NoHotWire) and their price was $399. 95 installed, they come to where you are at too.

Anyway, this is another option to consider, their web page has some good arguments for their product.

Clifford (check out their web page for info, and I've seen some deals in ebay if you want to save $$) has some alarms that are two way, they let you know when your vehicle's alarm has been tripped.

 

[SOsterday]

Get one of the GPS tracking systems that transmits its location. It requires a constant on-line account. Similar to a cell phone that's on all the time. It has a GPS receiver and a seperate transmitter. They are small enough to be hidden. That way you can go online at your computer and see exactly where it's at at any time, whether it's parked or traveling, and if it's traveling you can see how fast it's going, etc. I have installed the receivers on a few vehicles, but not the transmitters. Company only wanted to know where and how fast it went after-the-fact.



Do a search on Google for GPS Fleet Tracking. Here is one such site as an example: http://www.gpsfleetsolutions.com/



Hope your luck improves.

 

[BTowler]

Get one of the GPS tracking systems that transmits its location. It requires a constant on-line account. Similar to a cell phone that's on all the time. It has a GPS receiver and a seperate transmitter. They are small enough to be hidden. That way you can go online at your computer and see exactly where it's at at any time, whether it's parked or traveling, and if it's traveling you can see how fast it's going, etc. I have installed the receivers on a few vehicles, but not the transmitters. Company only wanted to know where and how fast it went after-the-fact.



Do a search on Google for GPS Fleet Tracking. Here is one such site as an example: http://www.gpsfleetsolutions.com/



Hope your luck improves.

One thing on these units, none of them offer real time tracking, meaning you can't watch a computer screen and see your car moving. You will get where the car is at a particular moment, but speed info is available.

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I yearn for the good old days. Horse thieves were hung by the neck until dead.

 

[SOsterday]

One thing on these units, none of them offer real time tracking, meaning you can't watch a computer screen and see your car moving. You will get where the car is at a particular moment, but speed info is available.

Here's one with a 30 second sampling rate. http://www.gpsfleetsolutions.com/GEOTAB_Real_Time_Fleet_Tracking.php

The level of real time detail would be dependant on your software I imagine. At any rate, it's good enough to locate your vehicle right now no matter where it's at. Presuming it's not in a tunnel or the like.

 

[sgoeing]

I found a couple of 10 second models. One was just 50/yr plus the 300 bucks for the unit. You get 15 checks for that, more if stolen.



They all have alarm inputs that cause a message to be sent to you and then you can track on internet or phone.



Just google GPS security alarm, I didn't save the links.





I think that's the way to go. You guys do know that the cops won't look for anything stolen including a vehicle right?