Back when I had an MR2 Spyder, I had my soft-top slashed, and my stereo stolen. It sucked - having a $2400 top slashed for a $200 stereo head unit. I would rather have given them the stereo.

So that gets me to ask - some have advised that if a thief has "cased" your soft-top car, and wants something, not much is going to prevent him getting it. Along those lines, they've said to leave your car doors unlocked, and leave nothing valuable in the car.

If they decide to steal your stereo, they will. But at least it won't cost you your $2000+ top. And if they're going to steal your car, an alarm/locked doors or not won't help much.

I can see the logic in this, but I wonder if there's something missing. What are your guys' take on this? Wisdom of ownership would be much appreciated.

 

I never locked my Miata for this exact reason. Somehow, I just can't bring myself to walk away from the S without hearing it beep (yes, I click twice just to hear it beep, just in case).

 

I often (not always though) leave my car unlocked, the windows down, the top up, and the glove box locked. (The sun is hot here in Texas. This helps by blocking the sun yet still allowing airflow. On 100+ degree days, the car interior is much cooler than otherwise when I leave work, finish lunch or whatnot.)

 

the main thing people target an S for, though, is the seats, which is why seatlocks are around. but with seatlocks, locked center, and oem radio (or no radio), I see no reason to not follow by this logic.

I doubt that most stereo hunters will be able to find ours anyways.

 

I always lock it. Windows up, top up, doors closed. If they want to steal something they have to get around my 2 way alarm with a proximity sensor. My seats are locked down and my glove box is locked. As for the car, same as above although now they have an immobilizer put into the equation.

 

I'm fully stock interior and I see no point in locking the car. I mostly just leave the windows down and walk away from it. Like the first post above, I rather just let them go they it and find nothing worth stealing then to get the top torn and take nothing....

LOL although I wouldn't mind someone slashing the top now that it has a hole. I'll be getting a hardtop when it really gets bad.

 

i leave my car unlocked and just lock the center console thing, most of the time.

 

Locks keep the casual public from rummaging around. So yeah, I lock it.

 

I've invested in a 2-way alarm system as well after having my last car broken into at my work. When I'm in really sketchy areas, I lock up my radar detector too, but I have a feeling it won't do much. I'm sure theives can pry that glove box open easier than a normal one.

All in all, I lock it for peace of mind. If all else fails, that's why i pay 180buck/mo. on insurance.

 

I understand your logic. But think about how many people walk by just to see if your door was open. If it's locked, they just keep walking and don't bother with it anymore. Aside from the theives that are willing to go all out. In reality, we don't really know how many people do that, but I have heard of people doing that. So are you willing to leave it unlocked and take the risk of getting your radio/seats stolen on a weekly basis so they don't slash your top? Even if you have seat locks, who knows how the thieves might feel. They might still slash your seats and top up just cause. Maybe something to think about. Either way, their is a risk.

I always have my doors locked. Depending what area I'm in, I might leave my top down and windows up.