PARANOID! Should I get a lo-jack?
 

Here is my problem: My sister's car was stolen a little over a year ago from the front of our house. It was recovered a week or two later, after being in an accident and being ditched on the side of the road. It had a huge round rubber tire mark on the driver's door, as if it had been bumped by a big-rig tire on the freeway. Not to mention the items that were left in the car were pretty sick :puke:

Moving on.... This morning my brother found that all four of his tires were slashed. I have a suspicion it was one of his friends. HOWEVER, I am about to bring home an Rx8 this weekend and I am paranoid as hell. My car won't be able to sit in a garage, it will be parked on the street in front of my house.

By the way, I live in a quiet neighborhood in freaking IRVINE, California but I know these things can and do happen anywhere. I also have heard Rx8's are not commonly stolen. After searching on here, I found a lot of people saying a lo-jack is a great investment, and a lot of people saying it isn't.

I'm thinking about just sticking a huge, obvious security camera pointed at my front porch, but I want some honest opinions from people who have a lo-jack/ vehicle tracking system and have tested it or had to use it before. Thanks!

is it worth it dollar wise? That's a tough one...BUT...what is peace of mind worth to you? I think a few hundred bucks to help you sleep better at night might be a good investment for you.

I spent the extra money because my car is precious and I wanted the peace of mind.

Good points, guys. It is a very precious car and I shouldn't be paranoid about this. I should probably get it done.

what does it cost to get?

what sort of stuff was left in your sisters car?

You should call Irvine PD and let them know they should patrol your area more often. Lord knows they don't have much to do other than giving people traffic citations.

I like the camera idea. Just make sure it's in an obvious location.

Toothfairy, I'm thinking of organizing another Irvine meet with some of the locals. You interested?

YES! Make sure it is after this weekend and I am there!!! :)

I heard it's about $500 +/- depending on what system and who installs it.

since you asked.... crack pipes, big hunting knife thing, lots of (slutty) clothes & dirty underwear, baby clothes, oh and USED CONDOMS. Looked like a prostitute was living out of it.

The cops didn't even look through it or take anything out. They just called my sister to pick it up and we spent a day cleaning it. Smelled like weed and sick prostitute. Left some good Bob Marley CD's though :) THANX

our dealer cost was under $400. You can get it straight from lojack for a tiny bit less. Some dealers will discount it too, just to make a sale. ( but that means they are making money off of you somewhere else )
And Lojack will come to your house or work to install it for you. You should not have to go to the dealer

Not sure how much it costs.
Seems like there are 2 "services" LoJack provides.

LoJack products

1. LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System
A small, silent transmitter hidden in your vehicle allowing the police to track it if it's stolen.

2. LoJack Early Warning Recovery System
The new auto security system that contacts you if someone is moving your vehicle without your permission.

The previous owner of my car said he paid $1200.
I did not buy the directly from him. He traded it in and I bought it from car dealer.

Mine has Early Warning Recovery System

I want the Lo-Jack "Get the F#$% Out of My Car" system. Where it sends the occupants 10,000 volts through the seats.:lol2:

3 small silent transmitters

Hey marissa, I recommend you get one, because I think that would calm you down alot and give you an ease of mind, also doesn't hurt (except ur wallet) to get lojack in any car :)

grats on getting the 8 back girl!

thanks taj- that was a nice post of you :)

***flashbacks of Robocop*** :D:

Lo jack could be disabled pretty easily.

Its too common, thats why.

and its a *better than nothing* investment.

I want a 6000 SUX!!

If your car gets stolen you're better off not getting it back IMO. Just make sure you have gap insurance...

woot! I have gap insurance THIS TIME around :)

I have the advanced keyless thing where the ignition won't turn over unless the credit card key is inside the car. Can that feature be overridden, and car stolen anyway? Just curious.

^^^ did this credit card key come with the '05 as well? I want one

It wouldn't hurt.

Although from what I've been told by a few people who've had lo-jack and their cars stolen, they came out to the car gone and the lo-jack boxamajig sitting on their driving/front step/lawn :(

so i'm guessing the lo-jack isn't hidden very well?