Toyota Aqua/Prius C get targeted by joyriders, easy steal, newer models any better ?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Toyota Aqua/Prius C get targeted by joyriders, easy steal, newer models any better ?

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shk292

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#2837740 24-Dec-2021 11:39

A fried of mine in London installed a hidden switch to the fuel pump in his car. If it got stolen (which happened a few times due to the area and type of car), the engine would run for a short while then die, usually when the car was in traffic. The thief would then panic and run

richms

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#2837816 24-Dec-2021 14:01

Security systems are optional on new cars in Japan, Really they shouldnt allow the import of cars without basic immobilizers rather than half the stuff that a newish import has to have on it to be allowed to get registered.

Richard rich.ms

afe66

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#2838215 25-Dec-2021 09:50

RUKI:
afe66: Get a steeling wheel lock

That won't stop thieves, just delays for few more moments. Steering wheels without airbags are just taken out and another wheel attached, or steering wheel lock picked or broken.
The best and cheapest way to protect the old simple car without immobilizer from theft is to install non-standard hidden circuit breaker, which cuts the specific circuit in a way difficult to guess what is going on and in a place difficult to bypass and when you manipulate it - it looks natural and unnoticed for bystander...
Done it many times.
This is a hint, details what and how-to are not for a public domain.

But it might stop a bored teenager looking for a car to hoon around in though.

RUKI

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#2838243 25-Dec-2021 11:19

Suggestion was not a choice between logical 0 and logical 1. It is not a suggestion to do this instead of that.
Deterrent is one thing. And prevention from the car being driven away without the use of tow truck is another thing.
And much bigger thing is fixing legislation.
it is clear that the legislation which only "slaps on the wrist" underaged crooks just gives them more confidence to commit more serious crime when they grow up. Has to be a prison term with mandatory education to avoid them being "bored".

nzmatt

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#2844899 7-Jan-2022 17:05

Just bought a 2016 Aqua, fairly high spec with Toyota Safety Sense etc, but not push start. Came with one key, so on way home dropped into a lock smith to get a spare organized. I was thinking I was looking at hundreds of dollars, cost me $18. I think I would have preferred the hundreds option, although sounds like an after market immobilizer might cost less than a key.

Problem is if I fit an aftermarket alarm/immobilizer, the car still gets a broken (and apparently impossible to buy replacement) quarter window, and possibly a screw driver in the ignition lock. A steering wheel lock is probably still needed as it acts as a deterrent.

I'll make sure insurance premium is kept up to date for a few months, till they get bored with Aquas and move onto something else.

richms

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#2844967 7-Jan-2022 17:51

nzmatt:

Just bought a 2016 Aqua, fairly high spec with Toyota Safety Sense etc, but not push start. Came with one key, so on way home dropped into a lock smith to get a spare organized. I was thinking I was looking at hundreds of dollars, cost me $18. I think I would have preferred the hundreds option, although sounds like an after market immobilizer might cost less than a key.

Problem is if I fit an aftermarket alarm/immobilizer, the car still gets a broken (and apparently impossible to buy replacement) quarter window, and possibly a screw driver in the ignition lock. A steering wheel lock is probably still needed as it acts as a deterrent.

I'll make sure insurance premium is kept up to date for a few months, till they get bored with Aquas and move onto something else.

They don't get bored and move one because they're board, they move on because the pool of targets dries up. Almost no demios around now that are easily stealable because once they're taken and joyridden in they are usually an insurance writeoff because of damage and parts availability, and on a cheap car like that insurance will just pay out and be done with it.

On the plus side, it makes parts availability for the remaining ones of non theft damaged parts like rear bumpers really good.

Richard rich.ms

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gzt

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#2845039 7-Jan-2022 22:20

nzmatt: Problem is if I fit an aftermarket alarm/immobilizer, the car still gets a broken (and apparently impossible to buy replacement) quarter window, and possibly a screw driver in the ignition lock. A steering wheel lock is probably still needed as it acts as a deterrent.

I'd expect this will work on the basis an average joyrider will need more than a screwdriver to defeat it.

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