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 ?

ezbee

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#293037 23-Dec-2021 12:40

Car thieves targeting Toyota hybrids for joyrides and ram-raids
https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/300478262/car-thieves-targeting-toyota-hybrids-for-joyrides-and-ramraids

""
Police say thefts of Toyota Aqua or Prius C cars are climbing, and a Hamilton panelbeater says it’s “unbelievable”, and it’s almost impossible to get the parts to fix them.

Joyriders recently took - and damaged – a Hamilton woman’s white 2017 Toyota Aqua twice within four weeks.
""

Maybe Honda Jazz is less stealable.

Suppose it means plenty of spare batteries for pack rebuilders for Toyota's ?

I had impression that Toyota factory immobilizer was pretty strong, so world of hurt if you lost keys.

Adding a 3rd party car alarm looks to be more mandatory.

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#2837363 23-Dec-2021 13:03

My sister had her Aqua stolen few weeks back and it took them under 30 ~~minutes~~ seconds to get into the car and drive off

Was all recorded on security cameras

Handsomedan

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#2837365 23-Dec-2021 13:07

Wow. I wouldn't have thought a modern car would be so easy to steal. And that thieves would target these cars - it's not like they completely blend into the background...they're still unique enough to be noticed (unlike, say, a Suzuki Swift).

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tchart

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#2837367 23-Dec-2021 13:10

I think some of the appeal is the tiny triangle window which is not easy to tell if its smashed or not - which equals a longer joyride.

Reminds me of how easy it is to steal VW Polo headlights. Literally zero tools or need to open the bonnet - Source https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7VAV0somvE

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#2837368 23-Dec-2021 13:13

Handsomedan:
Wow. I wouldn't have thought a modern car would be so easy to steal. And that thieves would target these cars - it's not like they completely blend into the background...they're still unique enough to be noticed (unlike, say, a Suzuki Swift).

Maybe toyota skimped on this aspect in their local jdm.

Their cars even today do not have automatic lights shut off.

Just rescued a man with a new highlander other day bcos he stopped his car, lights didn't turn off when he was waiting for his wife. Dead battery.

RUKI

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#2837407 23-Dec-2021 14:53

Old news. Saw that. Police mentioned couple of cases. However what they did not mention is:
A lot of cheap low spec Aquas brought to New Zealand do not have immobilizes, do not have smart start system. Just an ordinary metal key to start the vehicle. That is ancient technology and the lock can easily be picked or brut force applied to crash and turn.
High spec Aquas with Immobilisers and smart start are not targeted. .
So no surprises here.
The main benefit of that car is: it has super small U-turn radius, so can turn around in one go on a narrow road.
Hybrid battery is only 20 modules (vs 34 in Camry or 28 Prius), so not of a huge value on a second hand market for those taxi drivers who need replacement battery and they drive Prous or Camry.

P.S. Prius C was decommissioned for sale in NZ and Australia in 2019. However Aqua is super duper popular car in Japan.
The new 2022 Aqua was just released. Awesome car. Will hit NZ in 2025-2027.

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#2837418 23-Dec-2021 15:35

I assume these are Aquas with a key lock rather than transponder push button start? (Don’t know much about Prius C/Aqua).

Oh I see RUKI answered that. So only a screwdriver needed then.

Demio owners will be rejoicing that the toe rags have moved on to a different car type.

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RobDickinson

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#2837419 23-Dec-2021 15:43

Isnt this a symptom of the JDM imports etc, not much low end car theft there so they cant be bothered fitting security

RUKI

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#2837426 23-Dec-2021 16:01

Dingbatt:
I assume these are Aquas with a key lock rather than transponder push button start? (Don’t know much about Prius C/Aqua).

Oh I see RUKI answered that. So only a screwdriver needed then.

Demio owners will be rejoicing that the toe rags have moved on to a different car type.

Demio I am seeing recently 2014+ all have smart start (push button).
To start Leaf is a bit more expensive than to start Aqua (I.e. you'd need a little bit more than a screwdriver).
You can buy brand new battery for Aqua in NZ, but you cannot buy new Leaf battery.
So with dozens of Leafs now near the end of their useful remaining battery capacity, that could become next Grand Leaf Theft Auto saga....

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#2837570 24-Dec-2021 06:59

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/grand-theft-auto-video-captures-auckland-teens-getting-trained-how-to-steal-car-by-adult-in-getaway-vehicle/5A6EPR2QG3AHKBC7PO4VG7ADCU/

afe66

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#2837590 24-Dec-2021 08:36

Get a steeling wheel lock

Eva888

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#2837635 24-Dec-2021 10:13

And I thought my wee Aqua was an old ladies car and no self respecting young hoon would be caught dead driving it since it’s hardly a fast car for wheelies. It’s also got a key. Maybe time to get a car alarm.

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RUKI

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#2837636 24-Dec-2021 10:15

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.

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#2837701 24-Dec-2021 10:49

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.

While no doubt effective, I suggest a deterrent would serve people better.

Much better for prospective thief to look into the window, and decide to move on to another car, than for them to smash the quarter window, screwdriver the ignition & ripping the steering column apart, before giving up.

Yes, the wheel can be cut through in a matter of seconds (usually faster than to cut the wheel itself than the steering wheel lock), but the fact that it is highly visible (like an alarm with a flashing LED) may just be enough for a perspective thief to pick another car.

Scott3

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#2837705 24-Dec-2021 10:57

Eva888: And I thought my wee Aqua was an old ladies car and no self respecting young hoon would be caught dead driving it since it’s hardly a fast car for wheelies. It’s also got a key. Maybe time to get a car alarm.

Same with the demio before it.

Aqua's are common enough to be easy to find, and to be fairly anonymous in a city environment, and (Key start models only I guess) are fairly easy to steal. Makes a fairly ideal combination to target as a vehicle to use for joy riding, or as a get away vehicle for commuting more crime.

If your car spends a bit of time parked on the street, and is a key start (as opposed to push button) one, I think investing in some kind of additional security would be a good idea.

Handsomedan

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#2837738 24-Dec-2021 11:30

Scott3:

If your car spends a bit of time parked on the street, and is a key start (as opposed to push button) one, I think investing in some kind of additional security would be a good idea.

That's why I am glad my son's "new" car has an alarm immobiliser fitted (thanks to the previous owners).

Alarm will go off in seconds if you try to start the thing without disarming it (and it's LOUD).

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