Is it worth the expense to add Lo Jack to this car?

My car came with Lo-Jack already installed ( an additional $995).

I agree with you as far as how many thieves would actually know how to drive one to steal it. But I also believe that as these cars become even more popular, the demand for "hot" parts may rise as well.

I also had my windows etched to help deter "parts" thieves.

One major benefit was the discount I received on my car insurance (AAA)! The money I saved surely will pay for the Lo-Jack and then some.

In L.A., you can never be too careful.

 

You're right, there is little demand because there aren't that many cars. The most popular cars that are stolen for parts are also older - a 1999 or 2000 Camry is more desireable because those parts can go on any number of model years and there is a demand for them because there are hundreds of thousands on the road.

I didn't get any theft protection package. But I think it's a personal choice and something that depends on where you live.

It can be added later if you decide to put it on.

 

If you are in a high theft area, then I would want to say yes, get the LoJack. It really doesn't matter if they can start the car or not. Thieves are increasingly employing the use of tow trucks to steal cars since they are getting much harder to swipe in general. Ya don't need yer keyfob to tow the car.

That said, you CAN use the cars difficulty to start to your advantage if someone is trying to 'jack the car from you, especially if you have the smart start. Push the power button on the way out, and the car is disabled.

 

I think it is because the car is such high demand item.

May help on insurance rates as well.

Will be installing it in mine, assuming it arrives.
#7 tideland 8 weeks and counting (yeah I know... lots are waiting longer,
but patience is not one of my virtues :wink: )

 

My Prius was finally deliverd 12/31/03. I got LoJack installed per the dealer's recommendation (I live in LA). Found that State Farm doesn't offer a discount. Check with your insurance company first, if the discount is why you're getting LoJack.

 

I live in Los Angeles and have ordered LoJack for my new '05, which should be arriving any day now. I ordered the "early warning" LoJack since I'm out of town a fair amount. I thought it would be a good idea to have LoJack notify ME if someone took the car. But now that I've been reading about how difficult it is to steal the Prius, I'm wondering if I really need it. Or if the regular LoJack (not "early warning") would be enough.

 

I don't think that a LoJack adds any value to a Prius owner. The car is virtually impossible to steal.

On the other hand, my insurance company gives a discount for policy holders who have installed the device on their cars. It may save you money in the long run, by having lower insurance premiums that will more than make up for the cost of the LoJack.

 

No Lo Jack. Get a Trunk Monkey.

http://media.trunkmonkey.com/video/suburba...onkey5-high.mov

 

Nearly any car can be stolen. However, most thieves are joy riders or young a**h**** who enjoy taking what you have and they do not. The Prius, since it does not use a traditional key cannot be stolen by breaking into the dash and/or trying to hot wire it.

That being said, the only way to steal it is to either tow it or flat bed it away. This kind of theft is done by a pro who will certainly know how to locate and disable the LoJack system and will likely have it done before you have had a chance to discover the theft and report it to the police.

Rather than losing sleep by worrying about the theft I suggest that you let your insurance agent worry about the car and save yourself the expense of installing LoJack.

Arizona Charlie

 

Well, here's my take on it:

For all intents and purposes, the Prius is next to impossible to hotwire. Not only would they have to figure out how to get the gas engine started (which is tricky enough itself because it uses one of the electric motors as a starter, rather than a conventional starter), but you'd also need to get the computers running to control the transmission, high-voltage system, etc.

No fob = the car is not usable.

If someone really wants the car, they're going to tow it, but again, the Prius just doesn't fit well into the category for cars that are stolen that way. The car can't be easily (or cheaply) re-used without replacing the computer that controls the security system, and as much as we love our cars, they're not in the same category as the hot performance or classics that will get stolen.

Dave

 

For those of you who have installed the LoJack... have you had any interference problems with your Nav system? I declined to get one because I was under the impression that it messed with the on-board system somehow.