I ALWAYS suggest that with the s2000 (due to convertible top)...

Dont leave anything valuable in it, and leave the car unlocked. It will save your $2000 top. If someone sees and Ipod or a V1 detector, they will slash you top, take your stuff, and leave you with a BIG A$$ headache. Dont leave your top down, but leave your doors unlocked. Again, it is very hard to get used to, but it does work.

One more things to remember, most REAL thieves are one step ahead of alarm systems. Alarms are designed to combat the latest form of theft, and theives always stay ahead. Same with terrorists, hackers, etc etc. Its how the world works.

IMHO....do this...

Get a cheap 50 dollar viper alarm (one that goes crazy with horns and light if the door is opened without key, etc)....and never lock your door. This, IMHO, is the BEST alarm you can get for your car....

P.S. You cant say that I live in a nice place, cause Im from NYC....and there is no way you guys are worse off than me...

I do take great steps into not doing the following....

Leave my car on the street in a bad or soso neighborhood

Park on the street if I dont have to, unless its a ritzy neighborhood

Park a mile away from the mall entrance, away from everyone else.

Park under lightpoles when going to the movies at night, so the car is visible.

First rule.....that superceeds others....
Never park my car where I cant see it, if I can help it.

 

Sounds like some posters are nipping at the cooking sherry again. Leave your doors unlocked? Replacing the seats in an S cost $10,000! Unbelieveable but true. I've talked to several people that have had just the seats stolen. The air bags are also favorite targets. Watch your insurance rates go ballistic after one or two 5 figure thefts. My S was stolen last week with the whole Viper alarm and tilt switch etc., so all those alarms do is annoy the neighbors. Personally, when I replace my S in a week or two, I'm having a Relco device installed. They claim after 3.5 million units sold, not one of their cars have been stolen. It's a very simple but effective system. Also plan to install a paging alarm system so that at 1-5 a.m. when most cars are stolen, the beeper will wake me up before the thief is aware he's been discovered. The car still can be towed, but tracking devices have a geo-fencing feature that alerts you if the car is moved allowing you to track it online yourself and notify the police. Biggest plus there is if the thieves are caught in the act, another chop shop is shut down. Hood locks are advised by some to prevent the slime bags from just opening the hood and disconnecting the battery. Very basic, but park with your wheels turned and locked to the extreme to make towing more difficult. If all else fails, check out the post about the "trunk monkey".