1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

do you have lojack?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by SlowTurd, Aug 23, 2009.

?
  1. yes

    9 vote(s)
    15.5%
  2. no

    49 vote(s)
    84.5%
  1. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2009
    1,156
    333
    0
    Location:
    nj
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    my salesman told me all the cars have lojack for $700 and that it was port installed.

    told him i didn't want it and i had i once on a firebird convertible because of the top so i was familiar with it.

    he then came back and offered it to me for $400 (nice he was willing to rip me off for an extra $300 2 minutes before).

    i still don't see any reason to get it.

    then he tells me you can get money off on your insurance for lojack. i'll find out monday but, somehow i doubt it.


    me:"who would want to steal a prius? if they could get it started they couldn't get away from the cops"

    salesman: "they just caught some people in newark with one"

    me: "good! then they're in jail and i won't need one"



    salesman: [​IMG]
     
  2. BDDave

    BDDave New Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2008
    76
    5
    0
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius


    Is that what I need when I change a flat tire because of the low ground clearance? ;)
     
  3. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2007
    7,512
    1,185
    0
    Location:
    Carmichael, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius

    Good job. :rockon:
     
  4. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,246
    143
    0
    Location:
    Manassas, VA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I had LoJack once with the Early Warning System in a Lexus RX 330, and decided after that never to do it again. It took them several tries to get everything working properly, and after the install the kick panel and scuff plate on the right side never quite fit properly again.
     
  5. TheSpoils

    TheSpoils Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2009
    304
    49
    0
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The place I bought mine, also had it installed already and stated the same thing for $1,795. I told them that I would take the car only if they removed the lojack. They said it could not be done, so negotiated down to MSRP and $10 bucks for the lojack. You do get an insurance deduction, u have to fax in the certificate showing you have it installed.
     
  6. jay_man2

    jay_man2 jay_man_also

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,246
    143
    0
    Location:
    Manassas, VA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    My insurance company didn't give a rat's patootee.
     
  7. stream

    stream Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2008
    2,977
    452
    14
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    It's a waste of money--particularly for a car like a Prius. Like most modern cars, it has an immobilizer, so you can't just break in and hot wire it. If a pro wants a car, they'll flatbed it, but there are more expensive fish in the sea so I can't see them bothering with a Prius.
     
  8. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2009
    5,683
    952
    124
    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    It's like $20 off the premium (Farmers).
     
  9. dc202

    dc202 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    230
    22
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I worked three years for a major metro police department and took many stolen vehicle reports (I worked as a dispatcher). Our department was equipped with lojack equipment and the system works well. If I lived in a community with a high auto theft rate and owned a high-dollar car, I would get it. (Caveat: Like anything else, the ultra pros know how to deal with it.) However, I don't think it makes any sense with the Prius. Just my opinion.
     
  10. pfreeus

    pfreeus New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2009
    62
    19
    0
    Location:
    CA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    AAA will knock of $7 if you have lojack or an alarm. Obviously not work it.
     
  11. wwbarr

    wwbarr Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2006
    50
    12
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Know that I don't intend to change any one's opinion but maybe some can gain some insight into why lojack is a viable option for some . . .

    As purely a return on investment transaction, lojack purchased to prevent your vehicle from being stolen is misguided since lojack was never intended to be an anti-theft device (that's what a car alarm / visible alarm warning sticker is for). As well, lojack purchased in a city where the police departments do not support lojack recovery is also certainly a waste. if you are compelled to invest your funds in other add-ons that provide more tangible benefits or immediate satisfactions then lojack may not measure up against these alternatives.

    On the other hand, if you've experienced first hand (or empathized with someone you know who has gone through it) the utter shock and helpless sick-to-the-pit-of-your-stomach feeling of having your precious car stolen then there are other less tangible reasons to consider lojack (if you still have funds to spare).

    Know that I am biased since I have experienced first hand and have had good friends who have had their cars stolen (with partial vehicle recovery and total lost / no recovery). Understand that once you've realized the car is totally gone, it is too late to do much of anything other than complete the police report. The sickening part of these experiences is the total lack of control or feelings of helplessness that comes upon you once you realize that you have no viable options to take action or pursue. Right or wrong, apart from feeling victimized, one also wonders what else could have been done to prevent the theft or feels a bit foolish for not taking more actions beforehand to try to avoid this event.

    After these times, one welcomes the opportunity to take more proactive options to avoid this same scenario and experience in the future. Certainly, these assurances are not completely objective, rational or based completely on absolute worth based upon bottom line dollars & cents value.

    This is where lojack offers up an option that one usually doesn't have once your car is stolen. So, next time, with a bit of luck, enabling the lojack recovery option with a police department that has lojack scanners provides an after theft option that one would otherwise not have.

    Ultimately, lojack is simply an alternate form of vehicle insurance that doesn't pay out in cash (unless you purchase the additional lojack warranty options) but pays out with the potential to directly counter or strike back at the thieves who targeted the theft of your vehicle. Thinking hypothetically, if by chance, my vehicle were recovered or thieves apprehended by a supportive police department and working lojack system, I'd probably feel that lojack was well worth the investment, even at 2-3 times the cost.

    So, all can afford to go without the expense of lojack. It is not worth any cost for many since it does not offer any guarantees as far as recovery or theft deterrence is concerned. It looks like a game of chance, it appears that good money is simply going down the drain, and at best the lojack investment returns little or no tangible cash benefits.

    But just as all insurance that is never used is a total waste of the expense incurred, for some, lojack provides other benefits akin to the peace of mind or assurances of a term life insurance policy. Again, if one cannot afford the cost of this optional insurance then no one should convince you it is worth while for you / your situation. Likewise, for those that choose to invest in lojack, their personal and individual cost/benefit decisions should not be viewed as totally irrational, without any basis / value or dismissed out of hand.

    William Barr
     
    2 people like this.
  12. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,073
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    This is one of the best comments I have read about lojack. It touches the cost/benefit analysis aspect as well as the emotional aspect. Well put.

    Tom
     
  13. paulemus

    paulemus New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2010
    93
    9
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    My new Gen3 has the SOS locator above by the overhead lights. I was wondering if that doesn't do the same thing as LoJack anyway?
     
  14. liskipper

    liskipper Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2009
    373
    79
    9
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes, it does. It is a subscription feature which you must activate and there will be a charge after the first year. It will also summon help automatically with air bag deployment or manually when the SOS button is pressed similar to On-Star. It uses the Verizon network. In addition, with police approval, apparently it has the ability to stop the car - very "big brother".
     
  15. R2Pre2

    R2Pre2 Feel the Force!

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2009
    111
    24
    2
    Location:
    SF Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Having had the experience of my car being quickly "found" using the SOS feature after it was stolen, I can personally attest to the fact that SOS works, and works fast, assuming: 1) the car is equipped with the feature, and 2) the car is registered with SOS.

    Currently, I don't think the SOS feature has the ability to stop the car, but this and other features will be coming in the future. (This is a feature available only on a few high-end vehicles equipped with OnStar.)

    Personally, I think the SOS features are *fabulous* because I wouldn't have recovered my car so quickly, and thankfully damage-free, without the GPS locator. When I was signing the sales paperwork at the dealership, the finance guy asked me if I wanted to purchase LoJack and I said "I don't need it because my car is equipped with SOS and a GPS locator." The guy didn't know what I was talking about and had to read up on the feature. Little did I know it would be so helpful when I brought the car home. :)
     
  16. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Instead of a LoJack, I purchased a pager sized module called Zoombak. I have it plugged into +12 in the dash. All I have to do is log onto the Zoombak site, enter my log on and password and it will show me where my car is within about 50 ft or so!!!

    Here is a URL to check it out...

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014J61GI/ref=ox_ya_oh_product
     
  17. mbarrows

    mbarrows Illini Bird

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2004
    210
    17
    10
    Location:
    Frankfort, Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I have SOS which is Toyota's version of Lo-Jack.
     
  18. F512M

    F512M Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2009
    415
    13
    0
    Location:
    Laguna
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I tested my yesterday after signing up and I like it. They know exactly where I was located when I was driving home from work.
     
  19. hptsang

    hptsang Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2009
    139
    9
    0
    Location:
    Houston, Tx
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I got the Prius III and I was glad mine didn't got either one of them. The SOS thing was the reason why I didn't get a Prius IV instead of getting a Prius III with leather installed. I had to pay $600 on something that I need to put even more money in for it to work? It doesn't make sense for me. Like what other people said, the car can't be hardwire so it can't really be stolen. Instead of the SOS system, I just invested like less than $200 and got the stock alarm system and installed it myself. I only want to be notify if someone broke my windows or something like that. A couple months ago, someone was dumb enough to leave their key in the car the first day after they bought it and acutally had to use the SOS system to get it back. At that case, the SOS sytem might actually worth to get. You would know if you left the key in the car, because your car will not lock and actually give you a TONE to let you know. SO I don't think that many people will leave their keys in it, so still not worth to get the SOS system.
     
  20. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2009
    720
    96
    0
    Location:
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    V
    I had Lojack on my retro T-Bird because it was just the kind of car that would attract car thieves. I got a slight discount on the list price for it, but they are really tough about holding to list price. I am glad I had it, but I don't feel the need with the SOS.