Thread: My car got stolen, have you seen it?

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

I most certainly do want it back. Fanged to death is what it's built for (trust me, I know ). I can fix it, I can't replace it.

It was insured, but I doubt they'll pay what it's worth

Mate, there is a big difference between driven fast and fanged to death. No car likes being ripped into reverse at 100kph and no engine is retrievable after sugaring (trust me , I know.) Hopefully the brat that pinched it has a similar affection for the thing as you have and the cops catch him at the wheel rather than it being found abandoned and been given the "treatment."
The insurance payable would be what it is insured for. If it was under insured that's on you. Driving cars that are of special interest to thieves is an extra risk in itself unfortunately.
As a young bloke, I liked racey numbers also. Most of them ended up stolen and none of the ones found were worth a bumper after their little adventure. I hope your luck is better.

It was insured for market value because the premium for anything else was properly insane; they wanted a few grand per year for comprehensive on a car that's worth $5k on a good day. That's not a good ROI in any terms.

Bring back the cat.

Sorry to hear this, I’m in Qld but I believe that cars which have been stolen (to order or parts) can turn up interstate. Will keep an eye out and pass on the details to those who usually travel, although we are all still on distance restrictions.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

It was insured for market value because the premium for anything else was properly insane; they wanted a few grand per year for comprehensive on a car that's worth $5k on a good day. That's not a good ROI in any terms.

And therein lies the problem. I got to the stage where a demobilizer switch under the dash was a much better option than theft insurance. A mate of mine electrified his seat off the coil in his Corvette Stingray. Ah the good old days.

I wouldn’t worry about it being “sugared“

My wisdom..... I had a street machine stolen. They thoroughly tested its magnificent burnout capabilities. I was saddened by this.

Now, I've an old 2001 VX HSV. Had it since it was born.

Insured with QBE for $16k (way above market, but good luck finding one for what they say its worth). I pay $65 a month. Very entirely reasonable. QBE came to the party with all conversations without any dramas and are entirely happy with mods as long as you can list them (receipts are good). They are an excellent insurer.

They are 100% cool with over-insurance. To them it is only a premium cost. Cranking it up cost only about $5 more. As I said, QBE are excellent.

On tracking, GPS trackers are super cheap now.

The easiest thing one can do is simply get an old mobile phone and a $10/year Amaysim SIM. Turn on the equivalent of a "Find My Phone" ap and leave it on. Hide the phone in the car somewhere. Wire up a charge port so you can forget about it.

This is a quick, easy and zero cost way to know where the car is.

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On another matter, car thieves are a special kind of scum. LanceC, I'd be interested to hear which country that was. The desire for revenge is intense, but desperate thieves make for dangerous criminals and excessive punishments might only make them...ehem... want to avoid identification. They might choose to remove the evidence...? Is this your thinking?

Originally Posted by rustynail

And therein lies the problem. I got to the stage where a demobilizer switch under the dash was a much better option than theft insurance. A mate of mine electrified his seat off the coil in his Corvette Stingray. Ah the good old days.

Many years ago I put a kill switch in a car for my Dad, push the ashtray in and it wouldn't start and very easy to use.

Chris' kill switch reminded me of my brother in NZ, 40 odd years ago, had a car with an electric fuel pump perhaps a Austin Mini or an 1100, put a kill switch under the dash in the pump circuit and also connected to the fuel gauge. Steal the car, get a few yards down the road till the carby runs out of juice, check the gauge, looks like the tank's empty.
Sorry Elan, this doesn't help you, I hope everything turns out ok.
Geoff.

In the very distant past my kill switch was mounted on the bottom of the retractable radio antenna.

You walk up to the car and pop the antenna out - car goes. When you have finished you push the antenna down - car imobilized.

Even your friends don't know you have a switch.

I'm getting GPS tracking installed this week on my other car with fuel and starter cuts (apparently it's illegal to do ignition cuts), if the CRX ever does show up it will be getting the same treatment.

On my 308 Monaro back in the day I put a kill switch under the dash, but I also put a red flashing LED on the dash. A couple of well known kids were seen looking into it in the carport early one morning, saw the flashing light and jumped into my daughter’s 4cylinder Sunbird with the Opel motor, just as the Police arrived, resulting in a chase and sharp turns on neighbours front lawns, with the poor little Opel donk screaming its lungs out, while we watched from our front balcony. They nailed the car and threw the driver on the ground, face down, arms and legs in cross formation. The police told me they had been waiting for this event, as he had just turned 17, and could be convicted in Court. up until then he was dealt with as a child. The really annoying part was my daughter had not bothered to put the Crooklock on the wheel. It was sitting on the floor on the drivers side .

Originally Posted by Dengue

On my 308 Monaro back in the day

Those Monaros were hammers. Man could they go hard. A mate of mine had one when I was young. He was a punk and reckless - wouldn't be surprised if he is now a statistic - but JEEEEZZZZ did we have fun in that car!

It was dark Maroon... or some weird purple. A maroon monaro. Must have been some kind of joke

You only thought it was fast back then. Check this
The vid doesn't help Elan's case but at least posts keep this in front of everyone and makes them aware to be on the lookout.