Crime Wave
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 26
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From: S. Fla (Broward)
http://www.tommychang.net/2006/02/s2000-se...eft-in-news.htm
Found this article originally written in the Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
Interesting what the writer suggests Honda do to curb this trend - A Recall. That would be great but unlikely will ever happen. As much as Honda is so enthusiastic about their car, they are unfortunately making additional money on replacement seats through the parts departments across the US due to theft.
I need to vent on this situation with my two cents......
The solution to this is simple. Every S2000 owner needs to purchase seat locks. The more s2000s are encountered that have locks is the more likely they will move on to another car type because the diminishing amount of unprotected seats. We are making it too easy for these rotten bastard thieves to get them. Some of us live in a non-garaged situation. This is a situation that is unfortunate but is something you find in an urban society like South Florida. SEAT-LOCKS!!!!. It will be the best $66 you will ever spend. The alarm is also great as it is an amazing deterrant that also protects the theft of the car. That is not the real issue here. (There are cases but far and few). As much as the alarm makes lots of noise, they next thing is you hope someone will pay attention, including the owner. There is the situation of crying wolf to everyone. I have been in a parking lot too many times and I hear an alarm and the first thing that comes to mind is its probably a false alarm. This is unfortunate but true.
So, what is the moral of the story. Seat Locks will be the only hope to save your seats. I saw someone earlier selling their seat locks on the forum.
I cant believe someone would consider this in the middle of the largest theft problem facing South Florida. That must have been a joke.
Then as we curb on this problem, we will slowly see this issue diminish. I am being optimistic here but prevention is the only cure. Lets protect our cars and get control and hope to not become the next crime statistic.
For anyone out there that is looking to purchase an s2k. As much as this is happening, I will let you know that it is still the most fun car to own and drive. Dont make this stop you from buying one. As long as you are careful and protect your investment, you will have many many years of driving excitement.
Craig
Found this article originally written in the Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
Interesting what the writer suggests Honda do to curb this trend - A Recall. That would be great but unlikely will ever happen. As much as Honda is so enthusiastic about their car, they are unfortunately making additional money on replacement seats through the parts departments across the US due to theft.
I need to vent on this situation with my two cents......
The solution to this is simple. Every S2000 owner needs to purchase seat locks. The more s2000s are encountered that have locks is the more likely they will move on to another car type because the diminishing amount of unprotected seats. We are making it too easy for these rotten bastard thieves to get them. Some of us live in a non-garaged situation. This is a situation that is unfortunate but is something you find in an urban society like South Florida. SEAT-LOCKS!!!!. It will be the best $66 you will ever spend. The alarm is also great as it is an amazing deterrant that also protects the theft of the car. That is not the real issue here. (There are cases but far and few). As much as the alarm makes lots of noise, they next thing is you hope someone will pay attention, including the owner. There is the situation of crying wolf to everyone. I have been in a parking lot too many times and I hear an alarm and the first thing that comes to mind is its probably a false alarm. This is unfortunate but true.
So, what is the moral of the story. Seat Locks will be the only hope to save your seats. I saw someone earlier selling their seat locks on the forum.
I cant believe someone would consider this in the middle of the largest theft problem facing South Florida. That must have been a joke. Then as we curb on this problem, we will slowly see this issue diminish. I am being optimistic here but prevention is the only cure. Lets protect our cars and get control and hope to not become the next crime statistic.
For anyone out there that is looking to purchase an s2k. As much as this is happening, I will let you know that it is still the most fun car to own and drive. Dont make this stop you from buying one. As long as you are careful and protect your investment, you will have many many years of driving excitement.
Craig
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,724
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From: Miami, FL
I do have a question though. To those like Diablo and anyone else who's top was slashed with seat locks. Do you really feel it evens out in the long run?
I DO UNDERSTAND the point of view expressed above that if we all get seat locks, maybe the attempts will die down. However, one thing I will say is that if my top is going to get slashed, I'd almost prefer they take the seats. If I'm shelling out over a thousand dollars for a new top, I'd almost say I'd rather just pay my deductible instead for it to be covered instead of having to pay for a new top out of pocket, along with whatever else they were able to steal that was not locked down (stuff in the car, sun pass, radar detector, etc). Granted if it happens repeatedly then I'd be pissed becaue I would probably be hit with a rate increase (thankfully after my theft claim, it did not effect my rate . . . it actually went down 6 months later).
I think it would be ideal if we could find a way to make them aware we have seat locks BEFORE we get a slashed top. I know the seat locks on s2ki have small stickers, however I think organizing it and coming up with perhaps something more apparant that shows we have seat locks, and in a uniform place. IE: Everyone has a red sticker on the top of their windshield (or wherever) thats says something along the lines of "Car Equippped With Seat Locks." I'm probably asking to much of the average owner at this point, however it might not be to far fetehed if local CO's organized it.
Personally I know I'd learn to live with a bright sticker somewhere on my windshield or wherever if it meant the thefts slowed down.
I DO UNDERSTAND the point of view expressed above that if we all get seat locks, maybe the attempts will die down. However, one thing I will say is that if my top is going to get slashed, I'd almost prefer they take the seats. If I'm shelling out over a thousand dollars for a new top, I'd almost say I'd rather just pay my deductible instead for it to be covered instead of having to pay for a new top out of pocket, along with whatever else they were able to steal that was not locked down (stuff in the car, sun pass, radar detector, etc). Granted if it happens repeatedly then I'd be pissed becaue I would probably be hit with a rate increase (thankfully after my theft claim, it did not effect my rate . . . it actually went down 6 months later).
I think it would be ideal if we could find a way to make them aware we have seat locks BEFORE we get a slashed top. I know the seat locks on s2ki have small stickers, however I think organizing it and coming up with perhaps something more apparant that shows we have seat locks, and in a uniform place. IE: Everyone has a red sticker on the top of their windshield (or wherever) thats says something along the lines of "Car Equippped With Seat Locks." I'm probably asking to much of the average owner at this point, however it might not be to far fetehed if local CO's organized it.
Personally I know I'd learn to live with a bright sticker somewhere on my windshield or wherever if it meant the thefts slowed down.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
well adding to that I will be more than happy to design a sticker for the fact we all have seat locks... I actually made one I just haven't sent them to be printed yet... I was thinking of placing it by the oem alarm code for the radio on the window...
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,298
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From: S.Florida
I honestly don't think a sticker is going to help. The crooks aren't going to look at window stickers before the roof gets cut.
The only way to help with the top is not to lock your doors, and then you have to hope the crook will try actually the door before they cut the top.
Don't get me wrong. I applaud the effort, I just don't think it will make a difference unless it's as big as the window on both sides... and we know that ain't happening.
Mitch
The only way to help with the top is not to lock your doors, and then you have to hope the crook will try actually the door before they cut the top.
Don't get me wrong. I applaud the effort, I just don't think it will make a difference unless it's as big as the window on both sides... and we know that ain't happening.
Mitch
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Wetumpka, AL
I am sorry, but the scum that steal our seats most likely dont know how to read. There is no repercusion on stealing seats from our cars. They get slapped on the wrist, and go back to doing it again. As long as the other ricers want to buy our seats, there will be thefts. So lets do something about this and get our heads together on WED!!! LETS as A GROUP find a solution instead of crying..!!!!
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,724
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From: Miami, FL
You need to PM an s2ki member named Kodokan_4 (I'm 99% sure thats how he spells it). He makes them.
As for the stickers, Mitch I see your point, however thats why I said it had to be obvious. It would have to be bright red or yellow or something and always in a uniform location. That way they would see it as soon as they spot the s2000 (the target). Its kind of like the theory behind the signs that people put in their front yard that advertise a security system on the house.
As for the stickers, Mitch I see your point, however thats why I said it had to be obvious. It would have to be bright red or yellow or something and always in a uniform location. That way they would see it as soon as they spot the s2000 (the target). Its kind of like the theory behind the signs that people put in their front yard that advertise a security system on the house.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 382
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From: Pembroke Pines, FL
the only thing that i think would be a risk with the sticker is if a thief is targeting your car it may deter them... but only temporarily. that's when the tow truck shit might come into play... if they can't get what they want they might just take the whole car 
then figure out how to get them off later
then figure out how to get them off later