Im thinking about buying the fender strakes from my local mazda dealer but one thing i was wondering is if anyone has had them stolen. The dealer told me they are basically just clip ons and extremely easy to steal and im not sure if im going to be paying 200 just to let them be stolen.

 

they're more than just clip ons. They actually screw through the fender vent. Yes, you could steal them, I guess.... i dont know why you would though, but then again, people have done stranger things.

 

They bolt onto the side vents and you use loktite to secure the bolt on the inside of the vent.

All 4 strakes also then have double sided sticky material at the front and rear that secures firmly to the car.

Someone would need to undo the 4 fasteners behind your front wheel well and then they would have to remove the entire side vent to steal the strakes. They could not just steal the strakes without taking the entire side vent with them. Also, if you have the front splash guards it is nearly impossible to steal the strakes.

You should probably find a new dealer because your dealer is obviously misinformed.

 

It's difficult to get behind the area to pop the grill unless the wheels are turned to the side.

 

Let's keep the strake thing quiet, because the minute they become a status symbol, they will be gone!

 

They're pretty hard to get on/off from my understanding whenever I had mine put on.

I agree with the above post that your dealer is slightly misinformed. If you want, last I checked you could find them on EBAY for cheaper than $200 as well.

-Max

 

Consider buying the shock sensor alarm upgrade option - a steal for $45 - and hopefully would help deter the theft of your strakes.

rx8cited

 

I can't find any on Ebay

 

just did search for "strakes" and there is one set for a starting bid of $200.

 

Its a good buy. Helped me catch a door dinger ! ******* !

 

hahha i have the shock sensor and its worth it.... except i dont like that honk :/ imma ask the dealer if theres any way they can turn that off

 

huh?

 

Try searching on "stakes" too. Don't ask me why, but at least one dealer who sells on eBay spells it that way.

 

I'd love to buy the shock sensor, only problem is I live on base at NAS Pensacola, home to the Blue Angels and a flight school. Base housing, and my car are directly under the approach path. Plus the Blue Angels occasionally fly at treetop level to practice. They set off the shock sensor for three cars in the lot every couple of days.

Anyone seen a cheap supplier for the strakes? There was some dealer in Texas that had pretty good prices, they were selling online too. The lowest I've seen on eBay was $190, right now there's a set for $200.

 

Check www.trussvillemazda.com - that's where I got mine from @ $195 - and they have excellent customer service.

rx8cited

 

Yet another case of dealer personnel talking out of their butts. Why am I not surprised?

If correctly installed, it would take a determined attack with a screwdriver or other prying tool, since the VHB tape takes a very strong set, the strakes themselves bolt through the vent piece, which is in turn held in place by four clips that are difficult to access, and the strake itself is difficult to get a good enough grip on to pull very hard.

I get that people will steal the damndest things, but this doesn't strike me as something to be overly worried about.

 

You shouldn't worry about your strakes too much. Someone could cause you far more damage and cost by simply tossing a rock through a window, or into the side of your car.