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Auto Thieves Hate the Prius:

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by hill, Aug 11, 2010.

  1. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    It looks like art spinella forgot to take into account the "rip-off" factor (among many other things) too, when he did his dust to dust 'analysis' of what cars are the most efficient.

    http://www.grist.org/article/2010-08-04-thieves-hate-fuel-efficient-cars

    :p
    .
    Kidding aside, the Prius shows fourth from the bottom of the loss chart, with the Caddie Escalade being over $40K per loss. WHEW!!
    HLDI news release

    No wonder many of us get discounts on our car insurance for driving a Prius.
    :wof:
     
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  2. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    I heard about this on the news radio yesterday. They said the Prius is low on the theft list for two reasons:

    1) With all of the Prius's fancy advanced electronics, including the magnetic key fob, whether it has an alarm or not, it's very difficult for thieves to steal. Add on an alarm, and thieves really have their work cut out. (not to mention risking shock from a gazillion volt battery)

    2) The type of people that buy a Prius (the majority of the people; not everyone) are not the type of people that are interested in stolen or shady goods. Most are the type of people that would say "you can't do that. that's wrong!"

    -that's what the guy on the radio said. KNX 1070 if you want to check references.
     
  3. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

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    Personally, I'm glad they hate them because we love our Prii.
     
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  4. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Magnetic key FOB?
     
  5. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    Comes standard with the laser headlights.
     
  6. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    LMAO!!!!!

    please correct me. what do you call the "speedpass" that stays in your pocket but let's you open the doors and start the engine without having to insert a key?
     
  7. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    don't all priuses come with a standard alarm system?
     
  8. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    I know one way to find out. Get one of those Acura Integras with the loud mufflers and drive it through a Toyota dealer parking lot. You should have your answer very quickly. :D
     
  9. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    No, not in Australia.
     
  10. teeasal

    teeasal New Member

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    Mine doesn't, although on the remote it has a panic button with which it can sound the horn like an alarm. In the manual it said something like you can remotely sound the alarm if you spotted someone trying to break into your Prius. So it's a manual alarm, not automatic.

    Toyota may have already know the low stolen rate of the Prii that they decided to save the exta few bucks to install the sensors for automatic alarm.
     
  11. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Toyota calls it the SKS (Smart Key System). It's based on RFID technology. That's Radio Frequency IDentification. So it's a radio based system (electromagnetic waves).

    I guess you were half right. ;)
     
  12. okiebutnotfrommuskogee

    okiebutnotfrommuskogee Senior Member

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    If I am not mistaken, the alarm capability is in all of the Prius Cars, but doesn't work unless it is activated by the dealer for extra $$$. The glass breakage sensor is even more $$$. The alarm in my car is active and came as part of a package of stuff, some of it nice to have and some of it as pure fluff to add to the dealer's bottom line.
     
  13. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Um - better go read patsparts post #9. No - all Prius' don't have alarms. The alarms though are not the point. Good car thieves couldn't care LESS if a car has an alarm ... whether it be a $25,000 car ... or a $90,000 car ... whether the alarm system is bells ... low-jack ... glass sensors ... you name it. They WANT it ... they GET it. The beauty here in large part is that crooks DON'T want a Prius.

    :cheer2:

    .
     
  14. teeasal

    teeasal New Member

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    I think you're right on. The Honda Civic Si was at the top of the stolen list for quite a while because it was "the" joy ride of choice for teeagers, and, its parts were highly sought after by other Civic Si owners who joy-rides them to crash so often.

    Prius? Joy ride? Yes, only for us phylosophers who takes joy in zen.

    They don't want it cause they can't sell its parts.
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    That would be the Gen II cars. We have no confirmed reports of that on the Gen 3 cars.

    All 2010 Canadian Prius models have an alarm system fitted as standard equipment (the panic button is how you tell. Canadian Toyota models without the factory alarm don't have the panic button)

    He's technically right but it's applicable to the Gen 2 cars. They all had alarms fitted (so to speak) and if your package didn't come with one, you could sweet talk the dealer into activating it for you.
     
  16. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Well having played the latest Grand Theft Auto video game, there is a Prius in there...

    And when you drive it, it makes no sound at low speeds, then the regular exhaust sounds appear. It is most definately a Prius.

    In the game it is called a "Dilettante" which if you are a wordsmith will show you that the creators are taking a jab at us. :) Basically superficial interest in something, like buying a car to save the world but then making no other changes at all to your lifestyle.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    if they hate the prius i wonder what they think of the Insight?:behindsofa:
     
  18. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The Trunk Monkey theft deterrent system seems to be doing its job.
     
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  19. F512M

    F512M Member

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    +1, that's good thing for us.
     
  20. DanMode

    DanMode Brooklyn Prius Guy

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    It's because all the thieves had heard about the Advanced Tech. Package in the Prii! Except this guy! ;)