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Is anti-theft needed?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gyudaddy, Apr 14, 2006.

  1. gyudaddy

    gyudaddy Junior Member

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    I'm ready to order a new Prius (my first new vehicle), but still confused between option pkg 4 & 6. I know I don't need JBL, but anti-theft seems very attracting since I live in a apartment complex and my neighbors got his new car broken twice.

    What does the anti-theft thing do? Is it something I can install it cheaper somewhere else or not worth it at all? I have 94 civic and don't have any experience such as anti-theft. Please help.
     
    #1 gyudaddy, Apr 14, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Depends on your situation. Did your neighbour's car get stolen or just broken into for small items? If it's the former, you'd want an engine immobiliser which is standard in the Prius. If it's the latter, you'd want a theft-deterrent system WITH glass breakage sensor (dealer installed).

    Alternatively, you could get an aftermarket one that has a remote that you keep with you. It'll beep at you if your car's glass is tapped which may be more worthwhile if the car's underground and there's no security which means a beeping car in the garage will mean nothing but a beep at your remote means you can call security to investigate.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Apr 14, 2006
  3. momfortheenvironment

    momfortheenvironment New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 14 2006, 11:30 PM) [snapback]240024[/snapback]</div>
    I asked this question at the dealer and they didn't seem to know, so the big difference is the glass breakage detecter??
     
    #3 momfortheenvironment, Apr 15, 2006
  4. gyudaddy

    gyudaddy Junior Member

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    thanks for your reply. My neighbor's stereo was stolen, with his driver's side glass broken. I've heard that 'the glass breakge detecter' is nothing but a couple of wires. Is this all the 'anti-theft' option gives me if I choose to buy package 6?
     
    #4 gyudaddy, Apr 15, 2006
  5. hycamguy07

    hycamguy07 New Member

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    I would install an aftermarket security sys on the car & tell your ins co the same thing as most will discount you.. :)
     
    #5 hycamguy07, Apr 15, 2006
  6. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gyudaddy @ Apr 15 2006, 05:51 AM) [snapback]240120[/snapback]</div>

    If it's like the one on the 2005, I think it has to do with the doors. You'd test it by locking the doors with the window down, power off and leave. Go back (without the fob) and open the door from the inside. The alarm would go off. I know that if anyone is inside the car when you do that will trip the alarm by getting out. That happened to my parents. :blink:

    Someone had their Prius broken into and they got the glass breakage detector activated. A heavy bang to the window will set it off (the sensitivity is adjustable).
     
    #6 aaf709, Apr 15, 2006
  7. iiwi

    iiwi Junior Member

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    I ordered a red Prius package 3 on January 11; I'm still waiting. I didn't order package 6 because I didn't want one of those annoying car alarms that start honking all the time for no reason. Now I'm wondering just what the Prius anti-theft season includes. I haven't been able to find a description on the Internet.
     
    #7 iiwi, Apr 15, 2006
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(momfortheenvironment @ Apr 15 2006, 04:51 AM) [snapback]240110[/snapback]</div>
    The GBS is an accessory but requires an alarm to be installed first

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gyudaddy @ Apr 15 2006, 05:51 AM) [snapback]240120[/snapback]</div>
    The "anti-theft" system on the Prius just adds an alarm that's all, nothing else. An engine immobiliser is already standard on the base Prius. The GBS is a dealer-installed accessory that complements the theft-deterrent system such that breaking the window will set off the alarm. With the standard Toyota alarm system, if a thief does to your Prius what he did to your neighbour's car, your car's alarm will never be set off as long as he doesn't unlock the door (either from the inside by rotating the door lock or forcefully from the outside). In other words, if theft in your area is the smash & grab type, a GBS will help. Or as I said in my original post, forget about the Toyota alarm system and get that aftermarket system with pager.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iiwi @ Apr 15 2006, 07:58 AM) [snapback]240161[/snapback]</div>
    The theft-deterrents system on the Prius is simple an alarm, nothing more. On other Toyotas, it'll include a remote boot (trunk) release which isn't included in the standard keyless entry on cars like the Corolla and Camry.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Apr 15, 2006
  9. gilahiker

    gilahiker New Member

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    Just so you know, I got a discount from State Farm Ins. because my Prius came with the standard engine immobolizer. So, yeah...my windows may get broken and stuff inside the car stolen (trash, maps and tp for you you car thieves lurking out there), but hey, the car won't ever be stolen...that's the important thing in my estimation.
     
    #9 gilahiker, Apr 15, 2006
  10. Tadashi

    Tadashi Member

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    If they want your car they will get into it. I had a F20 with all the security bells and whistles and it was stolen. They just loaded it up on a flatbed truck in about 2 min and took off right in front of my house. The only reason I got the anti-theft on my Prius was because it was the only model that was on the lot at the time. The best thing to get is gap insurance so that if you still owe on your loan the insurance will at least pay that off.
     
    #10 Tadashi, Apr 15, 2006
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Some cars (like the Audi A4) come with a tilt sensor so the alarm will go off if the car is tilted (i.e. towed). Problem is, you gotta remember to turn it off when you're on the boat as it may trigger it.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Apr 15, 2006
  12. gippah

    gippah New Member

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    It's unlikely that anyone is going to steal a stereo out of a Prius, unless you put a non-factory stereo in it yourself. I doubt the Prius stereo would work in any other vehicle, except maybe a handful of other Toyotas.

    And it's basically impossible to steal a Prius w/o having the fob (or the key). The car won't start if it's not in the car.

    It's surprising that the newer Prius doesn't have an alarm and GBD as standard equipment. My Classic Prius came with both. Toyota may have deemed them unnecessary, as the car really is a bit impossible to steal w/o just towing it.
     
    #12 gippah, Apr 15, 2006
  13. aaronw

    aaronw Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 14 2006, 08:30 PM) [snapback]240024[/snapback]</div>
    Since I ordered my car with option package 7 I really wanted the glass breakage sensor. Unfortunately, when I ordered my car, the sales person said that in order to get that I also had to order a $1200 security system. I have since learned that this is not true and all they need to do is plug it in and enable it. Unfortunately they said they can't add it when it arrives, which I find rather strange. I'm tempted to go and buy the GBH sensor from a 3rd party (i.e. Ebay) for a lot less than the dealer and install it myself and get the dealer to enable it.

    Anyone else know if the dealer can install it?
     
    #13 aaronw, Apr 16, 2006
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    haha BS. Well, you can always find another Toyota dealer to install the Toyota GBS if you wish. Otherwise, most Toyota dealers should be able to help you install aftermarket security systems. I was at the shop one day and they had a Supra in the the service bay. They were fixing the aftermarket alarm system.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2006
  15. jtaft

    jtaft New Member

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    I would reccomend having extra aftermarket security (sensors) added as I did not and had my 2006 Prius HID headlights stolen recently.
     
    #15 jtaft, Apr 16, 2006
  16. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jtaft @ Apr 16 2006, 03:50 PM) [snapback]240551[/snapback]</div>
    So can motion sensors be installed on the factory Prius security system? I would like to add GBS, motion, and maybe some kind of hood / HID protection. Maybe even a proximity sensor like if someone gets too close it would say "BACK AWAY OR RECEIVE A 500,000 VOLT SHOCK!" but maybe thats a little too much.
     
    #16 TheForce, Apr 16, 2006
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'm sure west coast customs can come up with something ;)
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2006
  18. MrsRodgers

    MrsRodgers New Member

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    I am waiting for my new prius to arrive. My husband and I are considering the Revelco system. They still can prevent towing or pushing, but do have some suggestions to make it less likely. Some of you may appreciate the link here and some may not. Just making it available. -- janie

    http://www.carthiefstoppers.com/FAQs.html
     
    #18 MrsRodgers, Apr 29, 2006
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