The Club anti-theft device

Mitchla · 01-03-2004, 11:54 AM

With the Prius' fancy-dancy security system, do people still feel the need to use "The Club" (the arm that clamps on the steering wheel) or other mechanical anti-theft device? I would suppose that it's more important as a deterrent rather than a preventive -- that if a thief sees the extra hassle of sawing or freezing a Club off, he/she might as well move on to the next car.

Wolfman · 01-03-2004, 12:49 PM

The club is a joke. It only keeps the joyriders at bay. The Prius' complexity at being started is enough to keep them at bay in of iteself. The joyriders sure won't be hot wiring one.

Mitchla · 01-03-2004, 12:57 PM

But I'd prefer to not have either the joyriders or the pros break my window to get in and then find out that the security system is good. Don't you think there's value as a deterrent?

Jerry P · 01-03-2004, 01:21 PM

Actually, I think the flashing 'engine immobiliser activated' light is probably a deterrent, since a potential thief may think it indicates an alarm is active. Prius is probably one of the hardest cars to steal, unless you have the key.

RobertO · 01-03-2004, 01:52 PM

Probably very, very difficult. Unless or until there's a "rash" of Prius thefts, no one can say with certainty.

Meanwhile, let's keep an eye on the insurance actuaries. They're the ones who call the shots on Cost To Insure.

Time will tell.

wwblues · 01-03-2004, 01:58 PM

The earlier Toyota cars made the "most stolen" lists because they were so easy to take (basically, plug in any Toyota key, turn hard, and you are off to the races). Hopefully the difficulties in the new Prius will discourage most thieves.

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Wolfman · 01-03-2004, 02:06 PM

Quote:

But I'd prefer to not have either the joyriders or the pros break my window to get in and then find out that the security system is good. Don't you think there's value as a deterrent?

My short answer is no, they are not a deterrent.

01-03-2004, 11:54 AM	#1
Mitchla Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 107 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The Club anti-theft device With the Prius' fancy-dancy security system, do people still feel the need to use "The Club" (the arm that clamps on the steering wheel) or other mechanical anti-theft device? I would suppose that it's more important as a deterrent rather than a preventive -- that if a thief sees the extra hassle of sawing or freezing a Club off, he/she might as well move on to the next car.

01-03-2004, 12:57 PM	#3
Mitchla Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 107 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	the value of it But I'd prefer to not have either the joyriders or the pros break my window to get in and then find out that the security system is good. Don't you think there's value as a deterrent?

01-03-2004, 01:52 PM	#5
RobertO Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 215 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Stealing an '04 Prius Probably very, very difficult. Unless or until there's a "rash" of Prius thefts, no one can say with certainty. Meanwhile, let's keep an eye on the insurance actuaries. They're the ones who call the shots on Cost To Insure. Time will tell.

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01-03-2004, 12:49 PM	#2
Wolfman Moderator (on leave) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Paradise, TX Posts: 1,205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The club is a joke. It only keeps the joyriders at bay. The Prius' complexity at being started is enough to keep them at bay in of iteself. The joyriders sure won't be hot wiring one.

01-03-2004, 01:21 PM	#4
Jerry P Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Waterford, PA Posts: 291 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Actually, I think the flashing 'engine immobiliser activated' light is probably a deterrent, since a potential thief may think it indicates an alarm is active. Prius is probably one of the hardest cars to steal, unless you have the key.

01-03-2004, 01:58 PM	#6
wwblues Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Andover, MN Posts: 9 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The earlier Toyota cars made the "most stolen" lists because they were so easy to take (basically, plug in any Toyota key, turn hard, and you are off to the races). Hopefully the difficulties in the new Prius will discourage most thieves. ___________________ Fruit flies like a banana -New Zen Quotation