Best anti-theft system?
 

So, it's winter :(.

First year driving my BRZ, and won't be able to drive it for the next few months.

It'll be stored in my driveway very visible (without insurance) and basically if it were to be stolen during this period, I'm screwed.

All along I've been searching and comparing prices for car GPS trackers, steering wheel locks etc. but then realized, BRZ's have an engine immobilizer, correct? Meaning it can't be stolen without the cars near by. Or am I incorrect in this thinking and someone can still steal it without the keys?

It's a 2015 BRZ Limited 2.0.

Thanks!

Insurance that covers theft is far more important than an anti-theft system. Anti-theft systems should be used to compliment your insurance and lower your rate.

Think about it this way:

1) Anti-theft systems can fail.

2) Key signals can be boosted or faked with the appropriate software.

3) My third point is not anti-theft related, but I have seen far too many vehicles hit in their own driveway by drunk/sleeping drivers.

Easy to get comprehensive only insurance on a stored vehicle, and it's reasonably priced.

Insurance company just wants location of where vehicle is to be stored.

I currently have it on a vehicle stored in a barn in New York State...a vehicle I use only summers, and sometimes not for two or three years. I must turn in the license plates to do so, in order to drop BI, PD, and UM/UIM insurance.

Hate to be "that guy" but dropping the insurance is dumb. If someone wants your car, there's nothing you can do about a flatbed truck taking it. Unless the vehicle is stored inside where homeowner's insurance may take car of it in the event something happens, it's not a wise move to drop the insurance unless you simply don't care about the car.

Not to mention there may be laws against such thing, not sure about your area.

Unless your car is paid off, removing the insurance is a violation of your loan agreement.

Okay I should have mentioned, it wasn't necessarily my choice, I had a falling out with my mother after I moved out, and took my car with me and can't get insured til March (when I get my full License).
I'm in Canada, and here you need a Full License to get your own policy, otherwise you have to be listed on someone else's.

Does anyone have the answers to my other questions about the security and keys etc.?

.

A stick shift, and it helps to have an aftermarket knob that lacks the H pattern.:mad0259:

So here is the deal, in 2016 there was an estimate of 263.6 million vehicles in the US and there was 765 thousands thefts. That means the average car has a 0.3% chance of getting stolen. Probably slightly higher for cars that are easier to steal like older cars. Also higher for desirable cars like expensive cars, or for tuner cars like your BRZ, but I still wouldn't be concerned.

On the other side, paying for insurance premiums is guaranteed. Say the cost for comprehensive is just $100 more per month than the minimum required by law. That is $1200 a year, $12,000 every ten years, and $60,000 every 50 years. A google search will tell you that the average person pays about 50% more than that over their lifetime. Unless you are unlucky you are likely not to get that money back in claims for accidents, thefts, vandalism and acts of nature. Insurance is a gamble for those without cash in their account. If you can't afford to get a replacement car then get insurance. If you would rather invest the money in a 401k or IRA and take your chances then that is a gamble too. After ten or twenty years, if you are accident free then that $12-24k in your account is your insurance in case you do crash, and could be growing with compound interest if invested.

https://coverhound.com/insurance-lea...d-for-how-much

I think someone already did @Side. The key fob signal can probably be boosted so that when the fob is in your house, someone can still open your car. The key fob needs to be inside the car though for the push button to start. I don't know if this is a range issue, or a geographical calculation between multiple points around the car to determine the key's location. There is an OEM alarm for the car too, but I don't know what it takes to set it off. I have shaken my car and nothing. It is definitely not like some of those aftermarket alarms that go off the second someone sneezes next to the car. GPS and LoJack can help to get the car back that has been stolen, but if it has been damaged in the break in process or in the joy ride, or has been partially disassembled then you are back to needing insurance, and the car may get a theft recovery title, which depreciates the value.

Start a savings account or get insurance are your two best bets.

Suspending liability is a decent option but removing insurance completely on a registered vehicle causes insane problems in places like New York and California. I used to work in car insurance years ago. The weird thing is that he's in Canada and I don't know how it works there.

To prevent this, store the key in a metal box. A faraday cage would be better, if you were interested in building one.

So you have a loan, are driving / storing the car uninsured until March, and cannot even get insurance.

Sell the car. Buy one when you can legally do what you need to.

This ^

Most importantly
 

Most importantly,

As the years go by, the cars you own will come and go but you will only have one Mom. Make amends if at all possible

As long as your car is parked in your driveway, this should prevent theft (most of the time).


humfrz

Words of wisdom.
You can sell the car, enjoy the extra cash during the winter and get another one later.

Btw, as you ask about anti-theft systems. I would consider a main battery switch, hidden somewhere behind the dash. And remember that ALL the anti-theft systems make only the thieves using extra time for their "job". If they want to take something, and they have time, they will.

Thanks for all of your help guys!

Basically for all of the insurance advice, I don't have a choice. I don't live with my mother anymore and can't stay on her insurance at my own address. G1 drivers in Canada (beginner drivers) must be on Fully Licensed drivers insurance policy.

So I'm pretty sure no one will even offer me theft/fire or comprehensive coverage. Would any Canadians in here know?

Also, selling seems odd, it's my dream car and I just got it last year. It's just basically 3 more months (before I can get my full license and insurance). Selling this and re-buying a car in March would cost me thousands extra (assuming I'm re-buying the same car back). When I bought the car I didn't think I'd be moving out so soon and thought I'd be able to stay on my Mom's insurance during the duration, things changed.

As for removing the insurance breaking my loan agreement, you mean with the dealership or the bank? That's interesting, haven't heard that before and don't think they'd even have any idea.

Do you realize that you will likely be paying around 5K annually for full coverage once you get your full license? Can you afford that?

If I was in your shoes, I would likely sell it and drive a beater for a few years. You can always buy another down the road. If you choose to keep it I would recommend a secured storage locker facility until you can afford the insurance.

The bank owns the car, not you. Miss a few payments and they will for sure. You are required to have full coverage.

Manual transmission.

I don't follow. Miss a few payments... for the car or insurance? I will still be paying for the car during these 3 months, just not driving it. I'm also 26, after 25 insurance is supposed to be cheaper, I'm not a 18yo G1 driver.

I just bought it this year on a 70month loan agreement.

You need to check the fine print. You are required to have insurance on the vehicle if you are still paying on it. At least that is the consensus for the US. It’s to protect the bank that has the title to your car in case anything happens to it. It’s not really yours until you pay it off.

The alternative is to send me a picture of your mom and her phone number. Maybe I can sort this out for you. :D

And what do they do if someone doesn't have insurance?

Like I said before, you need to check the fine print on your finance contract. It should tell you what would happen. You could put your loan in jeopardy. I've heard that they could impose some sort of additional coverage to your principal that you will have to pay. It's very expensive.

Do you have to turn in plates if you have no insurance? I know in MD you would have to.

If you miss a few payments the bank will repo it. It's not really yours until it's paid off. So, you're required to have it insured as long as you are making payments.

I assumed you were way younger. What took you so long to get your license? ;)

Basically give you bank insurance at a substantially high rate and wrap it into your car payments.

Gd 26 and can't even get your own insurance? Lol.

You insurance would go down at 25 IF you have had your license and been driving for 9 years (presuming starting the process at 16). You have not. The insurance rates are a combination of many things including experience and history. Since you have neither it will still be very, very, very high. Add your location into the mix and I doubt it would be an amount I would want to pay.


You should be able to get fire, theft and comprehensive without a full license. You just won't be able to drive it. Have you even spoke to your insurance company? They can answer this better than anybody here.

Agreed. Call your insurance company and talk to them.

If I look at my policy paperwork, it does have a note about their being a leinholder. The insurance company knows it's car bought with a loan. I believe they notify the leinholder if it is cancelled. I would expect that Toyota Credit (assuming you financed through Subaru dealer) will shortly send an angry letter to you.

Don't be surprised that if you try to drop insurance, the insurance company or bank are going to ask for proof of a new policy. It's not like these guys don't know the car has a loan out and who the companies involved are. They all talk, and things don't typically just "slip by".

As Tcoat said, call your agent. Explain the situation. They will be the ultimate authority on what can or cannot be done. The bank has requirements that they know about, and can guide you correctly based on that. For instance, my loan requires both general liability and comprehensive specifically, so if I were to drop general I'd be in breach (even if I weren't driving).

TL;DR This is essentially legal advice at this point that you're seeking. Never take legal advice from the internet.

Age is irrelevant for that, for example a 70 year old even couldn't get his own insurance with a G1.

I'm not missing car payments though.. it's automatically withdrawn from my bank account.

This thread has turned into something else.

Canada has some weird rules. I actually think it is kind of neat learning some of the intricacies.

I'm thinking we are missing "the rest of the story"........:iono:

How come don't you have a drivers license at your age ... ??

Did you ever have a drivers license .. ??

Is your car in your mother's driveway .. ??

Why won't your mother cover/sponsor you on insurance .. ??

:sigh:


humfrz

Isn't it in America you can basically be 16 and get your Full License to drive alone as soon as you pass certain tests?

I used to drive illegally, before I purchased my BRZ. I wasn't the same responsible person I am now. Sure, it's late to get my license but keep in mind some people still don't drive in their very late age/never wish to drive or get their license.

It's parked in my driveway (not my mothers), therefore her insurance company won't insure it. Plus, I'm trying to disassociate myself with her and all things attached to her (legally and finanially), so I don't want that. It must be parked in her driveway which just doesn't work anymore for me.
She already caused like 2K damage to the car, lol.

Anyways back on topic, I'm going to just buy a steering wheel lock.. and try that metal box thing with the keys. As for the insurance thing, I'll see if they'll cover theft/fire or whatever even for someone with my G1 (beginners) license, assumed they wouldn't since law states only G2 and above can get insurance.

I don't want to sell etc. as some have suggested as opposed to just letting it sit for 3 months. I don't even know where this idea came from.. something I must've implied or said?
I looked into it and insurance will roughly cost me $330 a month, on top of my $450 a month car payments. I know it's a lot, but I just love the car and want to do everything I can to keep it even if it's going to hurt me financially! :sigh:

Some states have restrictions on time of driving and passenger age / amount of passengers but for the most part, yeah. :party0030:

Well, the selling idea was brought up because

A) you can't legally fulfill your loan agreement.
B) it is probably the most responsible suggestion
C) this is exactly the time when you will need full coverage (theft / damage) won't have it, and then be on the hook for a car you don't have or is damaged extensively.

Probably wouldn't be able to sell in three months anyways, so find a different work a round where you fulifill the loan agreement without incurring penalties you can't afford.

OR, shouldn't drive in their late age, just ask @Tcoat ....... :sigh:

Good plan on the lock ...... :thumbsup:

I wish you well .......:thumbsup:


humfrz

There is no need for a steering wheel lock. The only way the car can be stolen is with the key or if they tow it. If they have a way of getting around the chipped system they are high level pros (this is mostly on movies folks) and then the lock isn't even going to slow them down. If they tow it then again the lock means nothing since they will just drag it.

There are several thousand owners on here and there have been three reports of theft. Two were left running while the owner "just left it for a second" and one was from a shop where they had access to the key/fob.

These are not 1994 Caravans or 91 Civics where it can be stolen by just popping the ignition out . They are a complex chip system that contrary to popular belief is not easy to bypass.

Also still missing the point that the bank could come and take the car at any time since no insurance will be a blatant contravention of the loan agreement. Fine to gamble they won't find out but if they do you will either need to insure right then and there or had over the keys. You are playing with fire and somebody stealing it should be the least of your worries.

The steering wheel lock is more for the benefit of the owner to give him time to react. He says the car is parked in his driveway.

So, if he parks it in his driveway with the front pointing away from the street, and turns and locks the steering wheel off center, then clubs it, the tower will have a hell of a hard time "dragging" it up onto a to a tilt flatbed truck or just pulling it down the street.

So, says Bubba ....... ;)


humfrz

Ever seen a wrecker pull a damaged car with both wheels pointing in different directions up to it? We are talking about dragging here not rolling. When you are not worried about damaging the car it is really, REALLY easy to do. Many years ago I rode with a buddy that did parking lot tows. He could be hooked up to a car and have it on the dollies in under a minute. No wheel angle, club, tranny in park or any other action you would think would make it difficult even slowed him down more than 5 or so seconds. By the time you saw him, threw on some shoes and got out the door he would be long gone with your car.