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It looks like they got into my car, tried to steal it but couldn't, so they then went for my stereo, broke the center console to get at it...but they failed at that, too. They suck so much at life that they can't even be a competant thief.
I'm so glad that they bothered to pick last night, too. I had a class to go to and my professor said she'd dock a letter grade on the current assignment if I didn't show up.
Anyway, here are some pics. Sorry about the semi-bad quality, it's from my cellphone.
Looks key won't fit into the ignition...looks like they jammed in a screwdriver or something.
Broke out the center console trying to get the stereo, which you can see is still there.
So, is it time I invest in an alarm for my car? This is the first time this has happened to me, but my dad's stereo was stolen out of his 2000 Civic three times.
I'm also afraid it was my fault...people are in and out of my car all the time, and keeping up with each door being locked is hard to do. All of the doors were locked when I found it, but I don't see any other way that they got in. Any chance I can set up some sort of automatic locks?
Some Jaguar owners put ignition timer cut relay. The engine starts, works for 5-10 seconds, then dies. It could be restarted, but after 5-10 sec dies again. Such device can scary some crooks, because the car will catch some attention. Similar installation saved my late MK 1 Supra from been stolen. Also, instead of simple alarm you may install cordless baby monitor which will activate a buzzer near you, so then you can activate real alarm (syren, door locks), while criminals are inside your car. Depends on the remote strength, the silent alarms are most efficient.
The lock cylinder, if it left in ACC positon can be pulled out fairly easy.
That's why I gave up years ago on the stereos and do nothing but factory now. If you want MP3's put a changer in or in the case of the new Camry.....
Nothing you can do about theft though really. If you live in a high theft area and have to park outside just leave your car as plain as possible.
I bought the car used. It came with a broken aftermarket radio so I bought a new one. This one is just a CD Am/FM radio, nothing fancy. I think he would have stolen the radio no matter what kind it was.
Unfortunately the area is starting to become worse and worse. A couple years ago when I had my Corolla, this never would have happened, but there are low-rent apartments within a 5 minute walk from here, and many times this is the type that those kind of apartments breed.
An update on the car if anyone's interested...I took it to a dealership and the initial estimate says $95.00. I'm going to call him back in a second to let him know to get started.
Last edited by QuietRonin; 06-15-2006 at 03:12 PM.
I think he
I bought the car used. It came with a broken aftermarket radio so I bought a new one. This one is just a CD Am/FM radio, nothing fancy. I think he would have stolen the radio no matter what kind it was.
Unfortunately the area is starting to become worse and worse. A couple years ago when I had my Corolla, this never would have happened, but there are low-rent apartments within a 5 minute walk from here, and many times this is the type that those kind of apartments breed.
An update on the car if anyone's interested...I took it to a dealership and the initial estimate says $95.00. I'm going to call him back in a second to let him know to get started.
What's funny is that no matter how big piece-o-crap an aftermarket radio is they are always targets. Factory radios are very very often more expensive and fetch more than aftermarket but they still love thos aftermarket stereo's.
Disclaimer=I'm sure some thieves realize this and go for factory as well.
Break in? The Bastids! If you cant move away at the moment, how about an alarm that sets off both an external and a pager so you can do somethin about it maybe.
This sucks. It just strikes me that why these days there are still people after stereo. A decent one can be had for less than $100. How much does a stolen, used stereo go? When I was a student, I woke up one morning and found that the entire street's car had been broken into with stereo removed. But that was 10 years ago.
man that's so sad i know how you feel.... i got mine stolen once too and they were even nice enough to park another stolen gen2 next to mine so i can have a ride home... jk the cops towed it....and the kicker was it was stolen on dec 31.. i still remmeber it... it was so sad... they took my radio/speakers/cd changer .... but i got it back on the 1st the next day.... the cops picked me and and took me to the car and i drove it home...felt so voilated with my car all torn apart.......i went out and changed my door locks... you should get an alarm
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Wow man, that sucks. Car thieves are right down there with rapists when it comes to "scum of the earth." If i caught a thief at anyone's car, doesn't have to me mine, his life is forfeit.
I'm considering just taking out one of the more vital fuses whenever I park my car. I don't want an alarm, and I don't have an aftermarket stereo, but folks around here will steal anything.
Break in? The Bastids! If you cant move away at the moment, how about an alarm that sets off both an external and a pager so you can do somethin about it maybe.
You know, i'm thinking this is the way to go. I'm looking at some right now to see what they cost, what they're about, etc. But I like the idea of that. Especially because when I move out, i'm sure it will be in a dumpy little apartment building with people like that. I say I want a nicer car, but I can just imagine the problems i'd have if I had one.
Damn man i know the feeling. I have the same car. Mine was stolen a few weeks ago. Luckily my car was almost out of gas when they took it. They drove the car to downtown and ditched it in a parkade. They stole the stereo, all my cds, a few nice jackets my oilers hat my oilers flag and some coolwater cologne. The weird thing was i dont know how they got in. All my windows are fine, lock cylinders are fine, my ignition is fine, even the center console is fine with all the screws in the ashtray minus the stereo. I've decided to add a toggle switch inbetween my ignition and battery so when they turn the ignition it won't turn the starter unless the switch is turned on. so fas so good. apparently gen 2 camry's are stolen more often the dodge neons. someone should get a poison gas bottle that releases if the door is open and catch some robbers sleeping the next day.
Damn that sux. I'm glad this hasn't happened to em as yet. I'm fortunate that both my home and my g/f's home have gated yards and driveways to park in, plus when I go out in the nights I don't take me car anywhere that I can't see it or has to be parked for too long.
I have a poor man's anti-theft on my Camry, it won't start unless the headlights are on. It's pretty funny actually, because the headlights are the last thing a theif would want to turn on at night. It's just a little box in the engine compartment that is wired to the headlights and the ignition. It won't turn over unless the lights are on. It's fooled quite a few people including me. When I first got it we had to walk home like 2 miles because we couldn't get it to start. (It has automatic lights, so it doesn't matter if you leave them on, we just did one of those diy car washes and saw that they were on, turned them off, and it wouldn't start). I think that every time I've taken it in, the mechanic has asked my why it doesn't start lol.
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So, my Camry was broken into last night...
hopefully they get theres. atleast they didnt get any of it, tools
If you cant move away at the moment, how about an alarm that sets off both an external and a pager so you can do somethin about it maybe.
jk the cops towed it....and the kicker was it was stolen on dec 31.. i still remmeber it... it was so sad... they took my radio/speakers/cd changer .... but i got it back on the 1st the next day.... the cops picked me and and took me to the car and i drove it home...felt so voilated with my car all torn apart.......i went out and changed my door locks... you should get an alarm
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