Smart Theft Rate.

[smarties]

Reading the alarm system thread has me thinking. Do you think the Smart will have a high theft rate? Due to the easily interchangeable panels I am just wondering.

[spdickey]

1000 bucks worth of panels, may not be worth it to steal a whole car. Not a big demand for spare parts right now in the USA, either. And the car would be pretty noticeable driving around if I reported it stolen.

[24-42]

Don't underestimate the effectiveness of the immobilizer.
Donald LaFavor

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by spdickey

1000 bucks worth of panels, may not be worth it to steal a whole car. Not a big demand for spare parts right now in the USA, either. And the car would be pretty noticeable driving around if I reported it stolen.

perhaps Smarties line of thinking was that you could quickly change the color of the stolen car by changing the panels?

[CruisingAZ]

There are alot of other factors beside color that give away a stolen car. Theves are also too cheep to purchase a set of panels just to steal a car.

[smarties]

Originally Posted by spdickey

And the car would be pretty noticeable driving around if I reported it stolen.

You are right, if YOU reported it stolen it would be noticeable but if someone else reported it its as good as gone.

I really doubt that you will be the only Smart owner for very long in California, so I dont think they will be any more noticeable than any other car in a years time.

[SoSmall2]

I called my insurrance company and according to the statistics.. the smart do get stolen. the number isn't allarming, but not negligable..

I suggest you guys to install a second alarm / or anti thief system.

As for the panels, hope smart will sell something to lock atleast the front one.
You can't remove side panel just like that.. you have to open the door.
But for the front panel, i really hope there's a feature to lock em.

[gamernotwatcher]

Is the alarm able to be EASILY installed at the dealer? since many have already confirmed

[jwight]

Originally Posted by gamernotwatcher

Is the alarm able to be EASILY installed at the dealer? since many have already confirmed

Apparently not:

4ceFED The fog lamps can be installed but the alarm can not.

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Dallas
Vehicle: Mitsubishi Evolution 8 MR

From a dealer tech.

John

[smart cynce]

smart center Portland and Denver will be offering LoJack installation in-house.

I will definitely be getting it installed on mine!