Grr. I’m not putting this in the Pit, because its not really a rant against the stupid people who think that they have a better right to my car stereo than I do.
Ahem.
So, does anyone know of a good locksmith in the Sacramento area?
Here is the story why.
Before I bought my car, the owners bought a very pretty $300 Pioneer cd player to put in their 1989 Sentra. With body damage. It got one screwdrivering to the passenger lock, but was not successfully stolen. About a year after I bought it, for only $500, so you can see how the stereo stacks up against the car itself, the driver’s door lock gave up. It will lock and unlock using the inside tab, and occasionally with a wire hanger, but never ever ever with its key. So, I stopped locking it. Its been two years now with no trouble, but last week someone walking by my apartment complex noticed the nice radio in the unlocked crappy car. Apparently they were scared off mid-theft, and so the next morning when I noticed the plastic scratches, I started taking off the faceplate when I parked at home (I know, great security measure). This morning I leave for work (a little early, due to my MiL showing up unnanounced at 7:30 am just to visit, but thats another story) and discover that not only is the faceplate frame gone, so is the plastic that covers the screws on the side of the radio.
So, I think that I need a new set of door locks that work. Any advice?
At this point, the locks will probably be worth more than the car they’re securing.
Seriously, I’d call a mechanic and ask him how much he wants to change the locks. Cars that are reposessed are typically sold with the locks drilled out, so this is a repair that gets done with some regularity.
Don’t they still make removable stereos? In these days of rampant car theft, I think the standard am/fm radio is more than enough. The car always suffers on a stereo theft.
Well, I checked with an independent dealer friend, and he recommended a locksmith that is on my way home, so I’ll go in when I get off work. I also am going to borrow a friend’s covered parking spot on the other (back) side of the complex. Its worth a walk to not have to worry (my original spot was next to the street, in an ungated complex). I hope to have new locks in by Monday. It sure stinks - I have enough cash to fix the small problems, but not enough to get something better. Someday, I will have a car with magic button locks and power steering! And cupholders!
And blackjack! And hookers!
Well, hiding it overnight seems to have worked. No new damage, nothing missing. Good vibes for tonight and Sunday!
PS- maybe blackjack, probably not hookers. Though I do have a girl friend who picked up a hooker that was hitching a ride across town in the rain and took her to her destination . . .