Rent a convertible? Safe enough? (Los Angeles, San Diego: section 8, for sale, apartment complex)

[whynot1986]

We are visiting SD in mid-March for a scouting trip - will visit various locations, look at homes for sale, and visit a couple of universities. Most of the home shopping will be done in the realtor's car.

Not having the opportunity to live the convertible life with kids and 'stuff', am tempted to get one during the week's stay.

Night parking will be at a condo complex on Mt Ada Road, which looks to be a block or two from the Balboa Mesa Shopping Center off Balboa and Gennessee.

Is this a safe area for a convertible (or in general)? It is at a friend's place. Knowing how easy it is to break into one of these, am concerned about cut tops, etc. Of course we will leave nothing of value in it, in fact probably nothing at all. But there's still the radio, etc.

Daytime parking will be just about anywhere in SD (well, not in obviously seedy or iffy-looking areas) and a bit in LA during a day trip which may turn into an overnight. If overnight we will be at another friend's house in (cough) Beverly Hills.

Would you do it? I know about having coverage through my own insurer, etc, but I suspect the car agency will try to sell extra coverage (which they do anyway, but particularly more so for a convertible). Of course I don't want to buy that... but in general, is this type of rental to be avoided? I'm just thinking, if it weren't safe then they wouldn't offer those for rental, but then again cigarettes are for sale too...

[esmith143]

I say go for it ... lots of convertibles here, because of the climate. I had a convertible for two years, no issues. I recall an statistic that San Diego, Los Angeles, and Bay Area taken together accounted for approximately a third of all nationwide sales of my model.

The area off Balboa and Genesee is a bit low-income (most places with apartment/condo complexes are), don't go all-out. Personally, I wouldn't leave a Vette parked there overnight. Something like Miata should be okay.

[bloom]

sounds like fun idea

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by esmith143

I say go for it ... lots of convertibles here, because of the climate. I had a convertible for two years, no issues. I recall an statistic that San Diego, Los Angeles, and Bay Area taken together accounted for approximately a third of all nationwide sales of my model.

The area off Balboa and Genesee is a bit low-income (most places with apartment/condo complexes are), don't go all-out. Personally, I wouldn't leave a Vette parked there overnight. Something like Miata should be okay.

Section 8 is sprinkled throughout the City. There are a lot more expensive cars than a rental convertible parked along that stretch and since it's a rental go for it

[DubHaze]

HEY! I Bought a convert (2004 VW Bug Convert Turbo) and I was wondering the same thing about theft and vandalism...We are coming down to look at places this next week and hopefully moving out there April 10th if all goes well... Is a garage a necessity for me??? Also, which area's should I NOT go to!?!?!?!

[1AngryTaxPayer]

The smart thing is get a club, a pull out stereo and leave it unlocked. Noone will mess with it then.

[DubHaze]

I just have a factory stereo that doesnt even have a cd player, no theif would want that would they? ( I use my IPOD but I bring it in my purse) I never leave anything in my car. Also... really leave it unlocked? I suppose, instead of breaking in for nothing they can open the door, see there is nothing and leave it at that then?

[luvSD]

I think a rented convertible is fine for the weekend. Crime isn't that bad, but as mentioned above, don't be stupid: don't leave valuables in sight etc. If you were living here with a convertible, I would recommend a garage, or at least be in a community where the parking is off the main drag. If you plan to park your convertible downtown every night, you'll eventually get into trouble. But if you live in a decent condo/apartment complex with underground parking, you'll probably be OK.