Why was my 1989 Camry stolen, again?
Mike Danielson
the second time, today. Why is this car so easy to steal? My son keeps it
locked and parked in front of his home.
The first time, we got it back after 6 weeks without much damage done to it
except for the broken rear side window that allowed access. I don't know
what will happen after todays theft. This is the second time in six months
it has been stolen.
Dealing with the insurance company does not have much joy in it. They wait
2-3 months before they make the decision on whether the car will be given
salvage value--the date is negotiable. They pay $20/day towards a rental
car on our Camry--it is all based on what insurance coverage you have on the
car at the time it way stolen.
If we do not get it back, what would be your suggestion for a replacement
car--one that is not stolen very often and is reasonable in price, reliable
like the Camry, etc.
regards
Mike Danielson
Wolfgang
electric fuel pump working or the ignition would save it from joy riders.
The club is a good visual deterrent too. Me, I prefer, protected by Smith
and Wesson!
"Mike Danielson" <m.j.da...@charter.com> wrote in message
news:101mdbi...@corp.supernews.com...
A
I understand with older Toyotas they can simply use a flat blade
screwdriver they jam into the key slot and forcefully turn it - as older key
cylinders become worn and can be forced. The counter measure would be to
replace the key cylinder.
*Some people keep spare keys in the glove box / under the floor mats etc.
My friend's car got stolen that way. I keep my spare key in my wallet to
prevent that.
*They also could just tow it away. Not much you can do to prevent that one.
*The pros can jump the ignition wires - but with Toyotas this requires
jumping 3 wires instead of the 2 wires needed for older GM/Ford/Chrysler
cars - and that seems to prove too difficult for some of these people.
There are metal steering column protective collars you can buy to thwart
this method.
*There may be other ways to steal that you only learn about when you attend
'post-graduate' school at the local reformatory.
Why they steal our Camrys?
These years of Camry cars are in demand as the parts are interchangable
between a number of similar years, lots of these cars were sold and many are
still on the road. In our area - thiefs prefer older North American minivan
products - due to the apparent ease of stealing them... or maybe they are
patriotic and like to "Shop American".
You can check with your local police to find out which are the more stolen
vehicles in your area. There are also web pages describing the 'top ten'
such as:
http://www.mrtraffic.com/top10stolen.htm
http://www.4carinsurancequotes.com/stolen.htm That page also gives a number
of tips on preventing theft.
Things you can try to keep them away or at least slow them down:
* Install a motion sensor light aimed at the car. The light coming on as
they creep up can be a deterrent (or help them see what they are doing - if
they are drug addicts!!).
* Add a fake 'alarm' LED flashing light to the car.
* Add a real alarm - trouble is most people ignore the alarm sounds due to
all the false alarms. Additionally, the crooks can quickly disable the
siren after they get into the car. The 'immobilizer' alarms prevent the
engine from starting.
* Use a steering wheel locking bar - trouble is they can easily remove these
and most of us forget to put them on or don't want to be bothered using
them.
*Etch an identifying number into your windows - this apparently reduces the
value of the car to the thief - however I kind of doubt the thiefs look for
'etchings' before they swipe the car.
....... and the number one thing you can do (if you have one) - clean out
the garage and park the car in it!
Wolfgang" <NOwolfgang...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ecPSb.11752$u_6.2065@lakeread04...
Mike Danielson
We had a local fellow that did just that--he killed a teenager that broke
into and lived for a couple of days in his travel home. The kid ran
away when the owner surprised him one morning, and the owner shot him, dead
(yes, in the back). The jury found the owner guilty of second degree murder
and sentenced him to 2-5 years in the state penitentary.
Mike Danielson
"Wolfgang" <NOwolfgang...@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ecPSb.11752$u_6.2065@lakeread04...
Daniel M. Dreifus
> If we do not get it back, what would be your suggestion for a replacement
> car--one that is not stolen very often and is reasonable in price, reliable
> like the Camry, etc.
>
Apparently the next generation Camry (92-96) has improved locking
system, and the prices are have come down to reasonable levels.
Also check:
or
Mike Danielson
I talked to a locksmith, yesterday. She said that that year Camry has only
4 pins in the cylinder which makes it easy to copy the key just by a quick
glance at the key by an experienced locksmith. Often the passenger-side
lock is stolen, first, because it contains the key code--later the entire
car is stolen after the key is made. In my case, she believed it was easy
to start the car because the cylinder was worn out in the ignition switch so
that any key or even a screwdriver could turn ignition switch on. These
Camrys have a cheap lock in the ignition switch that wears out very
quickly--she says to go to an autoparts store and purchase a replacement
since the original part is extremely expensive from Toyoda ($160). I will
do this if I get the car back (and it is still workable).
Mike Danielson
B.F.
Hi Mike!,
I have a 1987 Toyota Camry and mine has a kind of electronic key you
pull out that turns off the ignition in the car. It is located on the
wall near where the hood release is located. So the camry you
mention most likely has one also.
Someone tried to steal my 1986 Oldsmobile delta88 a couple of weeks
ago. They broke my steering column, and exposed the wires, but did
not steal it. Now i use a Master Luck steering wheel club.
Hope this helps.
Myc
Stepenwolf Bob
>
> My 1989 Camry is driven by my son in Seattle, WA. It has been stolen for
> the second time, today. Why is this car so easy to steal?
Toyotas (both cars and vans) made from about 1985 to 1991. I learned this the
hard way by having a 1986 van and a 1989 camry stolen. I have since learned
that if I lock myself out of my car I can ask another Toyota owner to see if
his key will work. It usually does. It's the easiest car on the road to steal.
The only way to stop it that I know of is to have a locksmith install new
locks on all doors and ignition and trunk.
--
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