Car Broken Into - Page 2 - LotusTalk

Allan Gibbs · 12-09-2008, 04:36 PM

My dad once taught to never leave even pocket change lying around in plain sight. the most more CDs or electronic devices. Some people are just looking for a reason.

hollisterdout · 12-09-2008, 05:51 PM

its not regularly left outside a garage...i was visiting my sister at her apartment...its a nice apartment too...one would think.

ameeriklane · 12-09-2008, 06:00 PM

Sorry to hear about it. I had my daily driver (VW Golf) broken into a few weeks ago, and they stole my TomTom One XL GPS. I didn't leave it in plain sight (I stored it in a bin below the seat), but I left the mount on the windshield. I also had a spare mount on my Elise.

The newer model of TomTom has an integrated mount that folds easily onto the device, so now I take the whole thing with me. I suppose I should also clean the windhshield routinely so there are no suction cup marks to indicate there may be a GPS inside.

I have a hardtop for my Elise, but I plan to remove it when summer comes around. Maybe I'll just leave it with no top when parking it for short periods -- better than having the soft top slashed.

...m... · 12-09-2008, 06:31 PM

...unless i'm expecting rain, i keep the top off but windows rolled up - any curious fingers reaching inside ping the radar and bolt away in a startled fit of fright, no harm done, everything left in place...

Cegan09 · 12-09-2008, 06:33 PM

never leave the GPS mount in plain sight, its just an invitation. i leave mine in the glove box (camry), and make sure there aren't ring marks on the windshield.

sorry to hear about the top.

lustrazor · 12-09-2008, 07:04 PM

bummer

Yeah my gf always pulled the gps from my car when we parked somewhere. I didn't think was such a big attraction, but I'll take it more seriously from now on.

Never ever street park a Lotus. The only place it should get ruffed-up is on the track.

Noisycow · 12-09-2008, 07:49 PM

Yes, the old saying is true - thieves don't try to steal what they cannot see. Put GPS units away, cover up the stereo, never leave a wallet or purse in plain site.

Mr. Know · 12-09-2008, 08:41 PM

That's unfortunate.

As others have said, unless you have an incredibly high deductible, the insurance coverage should kick in. Unless you only have Collision coverage...then I would smack the agent that sold you the policy. I can't see how you would not have Comp coverage if your car is financed or leased however, since most companies require it.

CosmosMpower · 12-10-2008, 07:59 AM

You should be able to find a decent used soft top on the boards for $400 give or take.

LARRY · 12-10-2008, 09:11 AM

Car cover.

get a cheapie and put it on when parked on the street.

Do I do it?

You bet.

What they can't see they don't care about.

milehitom · 12-10-2008, 01:05 PM

OP,

Sorry to hear about your soft top destruction. I follow the "Never lock a convertible/never leave anything of value in the glove box of a convertible" philosophy too. My trunk is my glove box.

It always worked well for me, except the one time I pulled my Fiat Spider into my alley garage and spent four hours carefully fitting a beautiful new top with hand-rolled seams onto it. It was perfect! I was so happy...I thought..."It's a beautiful day, I'll park the Fiat out front and sweep out the garage." It took maybe half an hour to give the garage a really nice cleaning. When I went back out front to move the car back into the garage, my new top had been sliced wide open.

And of course the doors were not locked. I guess it was just some psycho with a knife wandering down the sidewalk.

Nobody has ever touched the Elise. I think it's the blinking immobiliser light.

I'd think you can have a good upholstery shop replace the fabric as long as the rails are in good shape. It's a fairly simple arrangement. Leave the fabric in place so they can see the sewing pattern and have a shop recover it.

Tom

Mr. Oz · 12-10-2008, 01:20 PM

I just have two words for this.....Trunk Monkey

Trunk Monkey 2 - Video

TheViper · 12-10-2008, 01:45 PM

Get within a couple of feet of my car and the secondary alarm gives a medium level beep. Not enough to upset someone, but enough to warn, I have watched it in action and it gives me great comfort. But, as I said earlier, this is only the first stage of my security.

Marlonius · 12-10-2008, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

Get within a couple of feet of my car and the secondary alarm gives a medium level beep. Not enough to upset someone, but enough to warn, I have watched it in action and it gives me great comfort. But, as I said earlier, this is only the first stage of my security.

What kind and where can you get one??????

TheViper · 12-10-2008, 02:05 PM

I was afraid someone was going to ask that

I put the system together myself from individual components. The core of the system is a microwave sensor, similar to the one already installed in the car. I love the thing, nobody can get within a few feet of the side of the car before they are given a warning. I think I am a little security parinoid

Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlonius

What kind and where can you get one??????

Demonized · 12-10-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

I was afraid someone was going to ask that

I put the system together myself from individual components. The core of the system is a microwave sensor, similar to the one already installed in the car. I love the thing, nobody can get within a few feet of the side of the car before they are given a warning. I think I am a little security parinoid

Michael

that's very cool.

Bane · 12-10-2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Random Strata

That Sucks big time.

I used to own a Celica with a soft top and actually drove up one night to see a guy in the back of my trunk. When I approached him he attacked me with a screw driver that he used to slash my top and steal the radio.

Insurance sucks as they aren't going to cover you for anything and if you do decide to report it, your deductible will go up and they'll just laugh at you as they take more of your money.

Insurance is such a joke. Only worth it if you crash or lose your vehicle early on....or if you manage to run over a bunch of people.

But yeah, Soft Tops should be BANNED.

Holy crap that's scary!

Were you injured in the attack? That's a prime example of what a CCW is good for (although that may not apply since you live in California

)

As for the OP: There are lots of hardtops floating around in the for sale forum right now

...m... · 12-11-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bane

Holy crap that's scary! That's a prime example of what a CCW is good for (although that may not apply since you live in California

)

...a taser, maybe, but what are you going to do with a gun - kill someone for brandishing a screwdriver as he tries to run away with your ipod?..

serpent · 12-11-2008, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...m...

...a taser, maybe, but what are you going to do with a gun - kill someone for brandishing a screwdriver as he tries to run away with your ipod?..

yes, if i feel my life is in danger and that the person holding the screwdriver will stab me and kill me. If not, no.

xeeeejme · 12-11-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ...m...

...a taser, maybe, but what are you going to do with a gun - kill someone for brandishing a screwdriver as he tries to run away with your ipod?..

Hm. Depends. A crappy 1st gen iPod or one of the new ones?!

12-09-2008, 04:36 PM	#21 (permalink)
Allan Gibbs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale, CA (formerly Gilbert, AZ) Posts: 5,399	My dad once taught to never leave even pocket change lying around in plain sight. the most more CDs or electronic devices. Some people are just looking for a reason. __________________ 2005 BRP Elise- SOLD 6/9/07 2006 MV Agusta F4S - SOLD 4/30/09 2008 Audi TT (MKII) 2009 Audi A4 2009 Ducati 1198

12-09-2008, 05:51 PM	#22 (permalink)
hollisterdout Birthed in a Lotus!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NC Posts: 90	its not regularly left outside a garage...i was visiting my sister at her apartment...its a nice apartment too...one would think. __________________ ORANGE 06 ELISE

12-09-2008, 06:31 PM	#24 (permalink)
...m... Denuo Volatilis Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,715	...unless i'm expecting rain, i keep the top off but windows rolled up - any curious fingers reaching inside ping the radar and bolt away in a startled fit of fright, no harm done, everything left in place... __________________ 2005 Federal Elise \| Touring \| Storm Titanium ...73,000 miles and aging beautifully... 2000 New Beetle \| Turbo \| Reflex Silver ...107,000 miles of steadfast service...

12-09-2008, 06:33 PM	#25 (permalink)
Cegan09 Carb novice Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nashua NH Posts: 986	never leave the GPS mount in plain sight, its just an invitation. i leave mine in the glove box (camry), and make sure there aren't ring marks on the windshield. sorry to hear about the top. __________________ 1987 Porsche 924S - Project restarting very soon 1976 Yamaha XS500 '05 Elise - Dads

12-09-2008, 07:49 PM	#27 (permalink)
Noisycow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,466	Yes, the old saying is true - thieves don't try to steal what they cannot see. Put GPS units away, cover up the stereo, never leave a wallet or purse in plain site. __________________ - - - - http://thecomingdepression.blogspot.com/ No longer the coming Depression, it is already here.

12-09-2008, 06:00 PM	#23 (permalink)
ameeriklane Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tallinn, Estonia Posts: 109	Sorry to hear about it. I had my daily driver (VW Golf) broken into a few weeks ago, and they stole my TomTom One XL GPS. I didn't leave it in plain sight (I stored it in a bin below the seat), but I left the mount on the windshield. I also had a spare mount on my Elise. The newer model of TomTom has an integrated mount that folds easily onto the device, so now I take the whole thing with me. I suppose I should also clean the windhshield routinely so there are no suction cup marks to indicate there may be a GPS inside. I have a hardtop for my Elise, but I plan to remove it when summer comes around. Maybe I'll just leave it with no top when parking it for short periods -- better than having the soft top slashed.

12-09-2008, 07:04 PM	#26 (permalink)
lustrazor Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 63	bummer Yeah my gf always pulled the gps from my car when we parked somewhere. I didn't think was such a big attraction, but I'll take it more seriously from now on. Never ever street park a Lotus. The only place it should get ruffed-up is on the track.

12-09-2008, 08:41 PM	#28 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,350 Images: 6	That's unfortunate. As others have said, unless you have an incredibly high deductible, the insurance coverage should kick in. Unless you only have Collision coverage...then I would smack the agent that sold you the policy. I can't see how you would not have Comp coverage if your car is financed or leased however, since most companies require it. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S Join the Blue Lotus Team on Facebook.

12-10-2008, 07:59 AM	#29 (permalink)
CosmosMpower Cone Magnet Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2,029	You should be able to find a decent used soft top on the boards for $400 give or take. __________________ 06 Canyon Red Elise LSS, Touring, SS, Stg 2, HID, BWR swaybar 09 Mini Cooper S 6MT 2000 Grand Prix White S2000

12-10-2008, 09:11 AM	#30 (permalink)
LARRY It's a Lotus Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Beverly Hills, Ca. Posts: 17,156	Car cover. get a cheapie and put it on when parked on the street. Do I do it? You bet. What they can't see they don't care about. __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Elise. Stage II Exhaust. 2007 ProBax seats. "We know they're magical and worth every minute we spend on them. The whole Lotus owners' world is like a secret handshake among people who understand that." (R&T) Last edited by LARRY : 12-12-2008 at 02:02 PM.

12-10-2008, 01:05 PM	#31 (permalink)
milehitom Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,143	OP, Sorry to hear about your soft top destruction. I follow the "Never lock a convertible/never leave anything of value in the glove box of a convertible" philosophy too. My trunk is my glove box. It always worked well for me, except the one time I pulled my Fiat Spider into my alley garage and spent four hours carefully fitting a beautiful new top with hand-rolled seams onto it. It was perfect! I was so happy...I thought..."It's a beautiful day, I'll park the Fiat out front and sweep out the garage." It took maybe half an hour to give the garage a really nice cleaning. When I went back out front to move the car back into the garage, my new top had been sliced wide open. And of course the doors were not locked. I guess it was just some psycho with a knife wandering down the sidewalk. Nobody has ever touched the Elise. I think it's the blinking immobiliser light. I'd think you can have a good upholstery shop replace the fabric as long as the rails are in good shape. It's a fairly simple arrangement. Leave the fabric in place so they can see the sewing pattern and have a shop recover it. Tom

12-10-2008, 01:45 PM	#33 (permalink)
TheViper Alarmed & Dangerous Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boca Raton FL Posts: 3,203	Get within a couple of feet of my car and the secondary alarm gives a medium level beep. Not enough to upset someone, but enough to warn, I have watched it in action and it gives me great comfort. But, as I said earlier, this is only the first stage of my security. __________________ Cobra OEM - Alarm, Immobilizer, CDL Emergency Override with warranty Additional Emergency Touch Keys - see link above Brand New Cobra Alarm Remote with warranty Cobra Remote Key Fob Strap Cobra Window Closing Module - Add to your existing Cobra alarm 3 Piece Front Clam Protection Kit with Center Bumper Undertray Removal Tool INFORMATION Improved AC & Heating System Battery Choices & Information Remote Key Fob, Alarm & Immobilizer Programming Light Bulb Conversions 2005

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