# What kind of vehicle theft prevention device do you use?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-vehicle-theft-prevention-device-do-you-use/124698>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 20, 2002, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-vehicle-theft-prevention-device-do-you-use/124698 "2002-08-20T03:39:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-vehicle-theft-prevention-device-do-you-use/124698/21 "2002-08-21T04:57:00Z")

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Speaking as an auto mechanic 99% of all aftermarket anti-theft devices are junk.  
Got an alarm with a horn or siren? Snip, snip no more horn or siren.  
Alarm got an ignition kill? Look at the coil and remove the one wire that is obviously not factory installed. Alarms malfunction and I would often have to do this to get a car started.  
Got a club? I got a bolt cutter Not I don’t even try to cut the club, I would just cut the steering wheel, and slide the club off. Oh yeah the bolt cutter is great for breaking the window to get to the club.

IMHO the only things that are worth a damn are hidden kill switches and Lojack (if available in your area)  
Lojack has something like a 98% return rate. Revenge that’s the ticket, I want revenge. With Lojack you have a chance that the bad guy will get caught.

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**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2002, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-vehicle-theft-prevention-device-do-you-use/124698/22 "2002-08-21T11:51:25Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Mr. Blue Sky \*  
> I’m in the “never on the list of stolen cars” club. I drive a 1994 Ford Escort _ **STATION WAGON** _!!
> 
> I DO have a CD player, but I always remove the faceplate whenever I park. I also use the cargo cover (essentially a glorified window shade) over the rear cargo area.

That’s what I drive, except it’s a '96. Hell I even have the CD player in it. I also leave it a mess so I don’t think any one would want to clean it out, I know I don’t. 😃

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