Best anti-theft strategies for Yaris without engine immobilizer?

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by taracor

I just go out of my way to park next to a Corvette or BMW, good all around since people who own a 'vette or BMW are less likely to ding my doors and those cars look more attractive to thieves, I'd hope.

This is good advice.

I also generally keep it clean and unlocked too, something I learned while driving a Jeep with a soft top which you can pretty easily unzip to get into anyway.

The way I figure it, if you see something you like take it. Just don't break my windows :)

[Shroomster]

Originally Posted by taracor

I just go out of my way to park next to a Corvette or BMW, good all around since people who own a 'vette or BMW are less likely to ding my doors and those cars look more attractive to thieves, I'd hope.

Originally Posted by Zaphod

This is good advice.

I also generally keep it clean and unlocked too, something I learned while driving a Jeep with a soft top which you can pretty easily unzip to get into anyway.

The way I figure it, if you see something you like take it. Just don't break my windows :)

I'm going to disagree with you guys because of a few reasons:
1. the thief is going to take whatever car they are looking for (be it sports/luxury or econo NONE OF US KNOW)

2. The high end cars have more security features (not always but usually they do)

3. The driver of the BMW or whatever is probably thinking the opposite of you ("stupid little econobox, my dinged quarter panel from their car door costs as much as their car")

I might seem slighted/jilted, but I don't trust anyone.


Park with your windows up and your locks locked. There is no true theft deterrent that will 100% work EVERYTIME ALL THE TIME. if someone wants your stuff/car they will find a way to get it.

[JBougie]

Originally Posted by Zaphod

This is good advice.

I also generally keep it clean and unlocked too, something I learned while driving a Jeep with a soft top which you can pretty easily unzip to get into anyway.

The way I figure it, if you see something you like take it. Just don't break my windows :)

I know quite a few car thieves (I am a criminal justice major and do a lot of volunteer work in the field) and a thief will break into a Toyota before a Corvette if they are simply looking to steal stereos/change/whatever is laying around. Why? Because they are the ones less likely to have a really good security system. So parking next to a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc. will not actually stop them from breaking in.

Keeping everything out of sight or locked in the trunk is a good idea- if a thief doesn't see anything (and I literally keep everything out of site even with my tinted windows, back in school I knew kids who would bust out a window for a pack of cigarettes) they probably aren't going to waste the time breaking in.

[Zaphod]

Originally Posted by JBougie

I know quite a few car thieves (I am a criminal justice major and do a lot of volunteer work in the field) and a thief will break into a Toyota before a Corvette if they are simply looking to steal stereos/change/whatever is laying around. Why? Because they are the ones less likely to have a really good security system. So parking next to a Mercedes, BMW, Audi, etc. will not actually stop them from breaking in.

Keeping everything out of sight or locked in the trunk is a good idea- if a thief doesn't see anything (and I literally keep everything out of site even with my tinted windows, back in school I knew kids who would bust out a window for a pack of cigarettes) they probably aren't going to waste the time breaking in.

I don't know, I'd run with the top down on the TJ near constantly and I never got it stolen. But I did keep a club on the steering wheel in questionable areas and it was a manual transmission.

Good thieves are just going to use a tow truck anyway and they aren't going to steal a Yaris when there's a BMW right next to it. Of course most idiots are going to pass on a car with a MT and a club. And usually even the most cross eyed drug addict is going pass on breaking the window on a car with nothing in it (I have actually physically seen the exception to this rule in action once ).

That's why I usually leave the doors unlocked, in hopes that they don't break the window to find out there's nothing in there. In neighborhoods where the Yaris is a coveted vehicle because everyone knows the crack dealer down the street will cap you if you try to steal his ride ... well I generally try to avoid, but if I have to I lock everything and pray to Jesus