Hi everyone-

I have an opportunity to buy a high end Viper alarm REALLY cheap... $500 premium kit for around $150... Includes sensors all around, height monitoring, remote start, full LCD keyfob etc...

Just wondering if it's a necessity... I mean it would be convenient to have, but would only consider if our car has a security flaw and frequently gets broken into or stolen...

(I'm a new owner/member of this car and forum... just bought my new ride less than a week ago... I appreciate your input)...

 

Well it is a convt.... thats one 'security flaw'

alot of times they are only broken into to steal certain parts.

sounds like a good deal especially if you can get a clean pro install.

 

One solution to that, sir:

GET A HARDTOP!!!

 

They don't really get stolen as much as broken into - a noisemaker (and even a blinking LED) is a good deterrent for most casual and amateur theives. Wiring the alarm in a non-standard manner and a backup battery are good next steps but not worth it imo.

Remote start would be handy, but I didn't think DEI had remote start for manual cars - maybe they do now.

For $150 I'd get it - you'll be a bit safer, won't mind parking top down, and will get a discount on your insurance. Just make sure you get a motion sensor for the cabin so you can park top down and not worry about people reaching into the car without consequences.

I'd also invest in seat locks - Kodokan still sells them from MacGuard for $60. Our seats are the number one thing that gets stolen from the S2000.

Other than that, just don't keep stuff in sight in the car. A hard top won't protect you any more than the soft top imo and costs a whole lot more - its just a matter of breaking the glass vs cutting the top. Plus, it defeats the purpose of owning a convertible with a conveinient automatic top.

 

yeah most people who break into the s2000 seem to be looking for the seats rather than to take the car.

 

Another thing in our favor is less than 5% of stolen cars are stick because most car thieves don't know how to drive them and don't want to learn while being chased.

 

I'd say that stock S2k's rarely get stolen. Cars are generally stolen for parts...but the only part on our car that really has resale value are the seats.

Keep nothing visible in the interior that could be worth stealing like a radar detector, gps, ipod, etc. It helps me. I even keep my radio door open to show off my crappy oem headunit.

 

 

i'd say it depends where you are. you used to always read about seats getting stolen in california, new jersey, and florida the most. i've only heard of one person getting their seats stolen in chicago. as far as the whole car goes...no idea. probably not that much?

 

Robbed more than stolen.