How hard is it to steal a Maxima?
 

I'm curious how difficult it is to steal a 4th or 5th gen Maxima. Since I don't have comp/collision on my kids Maxima's, I'm thinking about installing a GPS tracking device in them so that if they get stolen we can find them.

Might even do it in my 5.5gen even though it is insured for theft.

With the 'chipped' keys we use I assume it would take a pro to steal a Max, but thought I'd check in here to make sure.

Also, has anyone here used GPS tracking devices that are permanently wired to the vehicle (other than LoJack)? Did they work alright, and what did they cost you?

I don't think anyone would. Not saying that to be funny.

Well I guess it is good we are not on the "Top Ten" list
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/artic...umentid=434545

That list is unreal! The '95 Honda Civic is at the top?!:goofy: Second is a '91 Accord. Number 9 really made me laugh. A 1988 Toyota pickup! Even finding one of these anymore to steal that hasn't rusted apart would be a huge challenge! My guess is all of these vehicles wind up in Mexico.:confused:

CNN's list of most-stolen cars has the G37 coupe on it. If they can steal a G37, they can easily get a Maxima

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/...en_cars/5.html

Maxima made number 7 on that list, BTW

I wouldn't laugh at the 1988 Toyota pickup. I believe that's the year they have the 22R-TE. On top of the fact it was a very popular truck.

S

20 years ago, the preferred car for small time drug-dealers was the 3rd gen Maxima. Not sure why... and no, I can't back that up.

But I'm sure they're all driving Escalades now. Far more appropriate fit, I'd say.

My first car was a 1988 Toyota Pickup with a 22-RE motor (E meaning fuel injection). Loved the piss out of that thing.

The speed shop i used to work at we used a GPS tracking device on all the high end built cars at the customers request. And for a lof of comapnies whos employees were on the road with a company vehicle or rental equipment like backhoes and other machines.

The nice thing about the kits we carried, the customer or comapny who knows of it being there could shut it off with a password, kills the ignition and fuel pump via computer, and you could see how fast there are traveling, where they stopped and how long the stop was for. Obviously you wouldnt kill the car when they are driving. It was pricey though, but obviously just from what i posted, it is well worth it to comapnies who rent out heavy construction equipment, or employees who dont belong where they are.

well i have a viper alarm so unless they wanna call attenting when d alarm starts screaming i find it really hard for my 02 maxima to get stolen

those things are easy as hell to steal, you can even get ghost keys on Ebay and the right key will fit right in the ignition and you can start it normally. plus theyre easy to get into

Well my gf HAD a 96 about 3 years ago and they stole that from in front of the house and she was here for all of 5 mins when it got taken.. A holes totaled it.
My neighbor had a 98 that they attempted to steal but he came out and caught them in the act, so they just smashed his rear quarter window and messed up his ignition but they didn't get the car.
A friend of mine had a 97 that got stolen out of the parking lot at his job.

So yea if I were you. Get a club a boot an alarm. Basically just bolt it to the ground!
That's what I do!!!!

On these cars, I don't think they are desirable enough to spend that much money to GPS the thing. I love both my Maxima's, but I just don't see the risk being there to justify the expense.

My suggestion, if you really want to screw with a car theif, hook up a push button start in place of the 12v plug beside the tray. Even if they have a chip cloner, they'll probably fail to see the start button. They'll either leave it with the damage already done, or steal the stereo and leave. Glass and stereo/dash are easy to fix.

Some good thoughts there, thanks y'all.

yeah i'm gonna say do things the old fashioned way, dont leave anything in sight and use a Club and have a alarm.

i know some people know how to take locked Clubs off in seconds, but it at least deters the young stupid thugs

Chris so you would have to push the push button start in order to start the car with the key right? thats really interesting if thats how it would work, i would consider it

I think the easiest way to steal a car now is probably with a tow truck.

Steal a tow truck then go steal a car lol

Nope. 1986-87 were the years for the TE Turbo engines. Both my friends had them back in the day. Imo they were far nicer engines than the ****ty V6's that replaced them in '88 which only had 145hp and also had head gasket problems. What I said stands though, good luck even finding an 84-88 Toyota truck that hasn't rusted away to nothing by now.

Friend's dad has one, so ha! I've driven it, too :D
Rusted some on the rear fenders, but the bed is getting replaced anyway.

If you have an old cell phone that you're not using you can make it into a gps like a friend of mine did. Splice the wires so it either has constant power or powers on when the car is on then hide it somewhere in the car. My friend put his under his back seat, (he has a Chrysler 300).

If the car ever gets stolen give the cops the phone number and they can track it using the cell phone towers. He said he got the idea from an episode of Powerblock TV. I haven't tried it myself but it should work and is way less expensive than installing a gps, plus everyone has an old cell phone laying around.

I dont know about the other gens but with the chipped keys I dont think it wouldn't be that easy, out where I'm at everybody knows just steal a Honda!!:D

But who's going to pay for service on a phone they don't use?

And I would NEVER rely on cops to do anything. They can't even file accident reports b/c they're too lazy and are busy stuffing their faces at quicktrip, then harassing people for driving 3 mph over the limit.

If you think about it, they have figured out how to steal the headlights by disabling the factory alarm system. All you need next is one of those little 2 wheel car trailers and just take the car.

If someone is that determined to get your car then they'll find a way

yeah the determined ones will just get a flatbed and take the whole car

i cant remember whose Maxima it was but in July i think it was someone one here parked in a parkade IIRC at their school, came back and the car was fully gone with just glass on the ground and no witnesses

My 96 max was stolen immediately after visiting the brakes repair shop. It's so easy to copy a not chipped key!

You didn't need to disable the factory alarm to steal the headlights, all you needed was a prybar, pop them out, leave. Never even had to open the hood; all that holds then in are plastic tabs.

not a flatbed...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_lrC...eature=related

i'm going to have to call BS on that one, awfully fast/clean reverse job which is doable but for it to be legal there would have to be brakelights on the Aristo to make it legal to tow, looks staged

Nope its real, I've seen it done. They actually lifted the back of a ford, dragged it out tires screeching and all, then went around, lifted the front and took off. Not even a repo, just someone parking in the lot of a store they didn't patronize.

Late model cars with chipped keys or a chipped transponder are really difficult to hotwire the old school way. Alot of computers are designed to shut down in the event of tampering, and the only way to get them back up and running is usually a dealership. Honda's sure are popular to steal! A co-worker almost had his Gsr Integra stolen. They steal those just to pluck the B18C engine out and transplant it into a gutted out Civic for racing.

Well most vehicles are stolen to be used in a crime, so most criminals steal easy to steal rusted pieces of ****.

A professional thief will have an ecu with a matching chip key and that they will install. The vast majority of thieves won't go through that much trouble though.

If I caught the guy in the act...he would see a spark of light then lights out.

x2 except mine was a 22R. i wish i never sold it:(

Do we really need a thread like this?

Funny, that's what I think every time I look at the "Ghustle, I'm coming for you" thread.

We don't need that thread, but we REALLY don't need this thread.

Whomever chimes in with any reputable knowledge, IMO, I wouldn't want around my vehicle when I'm not around.

Sensitive subject, but carry on. :o

this.

this thread makes alot more sense than the Ghustle thread

I lived in Albany, NY and was 20 during that time. I can back up what you said. They rolled Maxima's deep. Rag top roofs, chrome wheels, yup I remember those days...