I was checking the fine print for the Lojack and it says that the police have no obligation to actually get your car or do anything with the information if they can find it. I thought that was throwing money away, or possibly couldn't be the case. So, I called my local police department (Clackamas County) and they said they MAY go recover your car if it is in their jurisdiction assuming they have time, manpower, et cetera. Otherwise, you are basically out of luck! I would say that since they keep complaining about a police shortage they will never go out to recover your car. Besides, they said they may also bill you for their time to got do it. Basically a useless system.

 

I guess I am not overly concerned about it getting stolen. I live out in a rural area, so I am not so concerned about it being stolen from my house. None of my neighbors have ever had their vehicles stolen, except by their relatives (meaning rotten children of theirs). I am not overly concerned about being carjacked either. I have a concealed weapons permit. I don't think I will go through the expense of something that doesn't really work and just costs you a lot of money.

 

You'd be surprised how easily a car will disappear. A friend lost a Civic Si a few years ago (brand new - well, 4 months old anyway). From the driveway right under the house. No sounds glass etc. and the insurance co. did accuse him of sharing keys (until he showed them both sets). He had full cost replacement and eventually got the RX-8. It WAS a Honda, which were easy to steal at the time. They have since added immobilizer technology like the RX-8 has (chip in key).

As for the LA car, my first suspect would be the parking lot attendant. They are poorly paid and may be temped to call when a contract vehicle pulls in and then look the other way when it is flat bedded and lie to police later. Makes more sense than thinking someone could so easilly get another key coded to the car. That requires expensive equipment on a car that had just come out. It's a little easier now, but still requires lots of knowledge. Easier cars can be had by thieves, who are lazy by nature (they'd rather steal than work for a living).

 

LOL... so u got one too? mine's working great- tho he's bit of a picky eater sometimes...

 

i concur... lojack is really just a way for new car dealers to get more money out of buyers who don't really understand it... they make it sound like it's this full-proof system, when in actuality it is not. u really have to check ur own insurance and see if u get a substantial discount for lojack b4 deciding. personally i think it's not worthwhile...

 

did u accidentally leave the keys in the car? as dumb as that sounds- i've know ppl who've had their cars stolen because of it...

 

As I recall, Frank Patrick was the forum member who had his car nicked from the LAX parking lot. There was video footage of it driving out the boom gates. All he ever got back was a single licence plate. It was (and remains) a very disturbing theft as it was the first theft reported here where it was apparent that the car was not flat-bedded......

 

My question is, did you buy used from an individual? Maybe they ordered an extra key?

 

That's what I got from his/her post? Hasn't replied yet huh?