Robbed Please All Read (Phoenix, Mesa: townhouse, safe area, to buy)

[scottrc5391]

Rick Lee, that's a good idea, but my fear is that the thieves will go straight for the aftermarket wheels and stereo and not even bother stealing the whole car. It's a '93 Mitsubishi 3000GT so it LOOKS expensive but it's only worth about $4000 or less blue-book. My hope is that anyone eyeing my car will have half a brain and go for the newer cars, but I still don't want to have my windows bashed and wheels gone. In addition to your idea, I may also look into getting a pager alarm.

[Rick Lee]

I had a wheel stolen off an old SAAB in Wash. DC about 13 yrs. ago. What a PITA it was to have to put the donut on while I was wearing a suit in 100 deg. heat. Get locking lugs.

[blisterpeanuts]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Take your fuel pump relay with you whenever you park your car and it will always be there when you get back. It might be missing a window and have the ignition punched out. But without that relay, it's going nowhere fast.

What I'd like is an RF controlled override switch hooked into the electrical circuit. If you don't press the remote, the positive pole of the battery is not connected. Of course, this means the clocks, radio settings, etc. in the car would all reset. But it would sure keep someone from jacking the car unless they brought along a wiring kit to bypass the override.

[Rick Lee]

I would think the professional car thieves could bypass that, since an override kit would not have to be vehicle specific. Not so with a fuel pump relay. They only made my car from 1995-98. And those relays are a dealer-only part. What are the odds a car thief has one? Nevermind, that I always keep a spare one in the car, since they are a weak point and you're totally screwed if one goes out on you. Ooops. I'd be impressed if a car thief even knew how to get to the relay box in my car.

[blisterpeanuts]

Well I want to get a really nice looking but fake sports car to put in my driveway as a decoy. It will be loaded with explosives. Anyone gets in it and tries to start it, kaboom. One less car thief.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by blisterpeanuts

Well I want to get a really nice looking but fake sports car to put in my driveway as a decoy. It will be loaded with explosives. Anyone gets in it and tries to start it, kaboom. One less car thief.

These days you'd probably be liable if a car thief cut his hand while breaking your window and you'd certainly be liable if he got into a car accident with your stolen car.

[cristobalg]

We are moving to the area and have narrowed down the Ahwatukee community as a possible destination. Is it me or is the crime in this neighborhood higher than it should be? Should I consider Chandler or Gilbert as safer communities?

Just when I though tI had it all figured out, a thread like this blows it all up :x

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by blisterpeanuts

Well I want to get a really nice looking but fake sports car to put in my driveway as a decoy. It will be loaded with explosives. Anyone gets in it and tries to start it, kaboom. One less car thief.

This is exactly what happened in a James Bond movie.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by scottrc5391

Rick Lee, that's a good idea, but my fear is that the thieves will go straight for the aftermarket wheels and stereo and not even bother stealing the whole car. It's a '93 Mitsubishi 3000GT so it LOOKS expensive but it's only worth about $4000 or less blue-book. My hope is that anyone eyeing my car will have half a brain and go for the newer cars, but I still don't want to have my windows bashed and wheels gone. In addition to your idea, I may also look into getting a pager alarm.

Times change. In 1975 I had a Mercedes 300SL with knock off wheels. I parked all over Phoenix, even the parking lot at 35th Ave. and Van Buren to see a movie.
No one ever bothered the car; all they had to do was take a hammer and unscrew the spinner hub but it never happened.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by cristobalg

We are moving to the area and have narrowed down the Ahwatukee community as a possible destination. Is it me or is the crime in this neighborhood higher than it should be? Should I consider Chandler or Gilbert as safer communities?

Just when I though tI had it all figured out, a thread like this blows it all up :x

I don't know what information you are using to get that impression. I would think that Ahwatukee (whether you are talking true "Ahwahtukee" or including the Foothills as well), Chandler and Gilbert would all be considered generally safe.