Anti-Theft devices: opinions? (specifically on hot-wiring...)

I am going to moving to one of the more crime-ridden cities in less
than a few months, and I'm starting to look at anti-theft devices. The
three I were considering were the PowerLock, Viper GPS Tracking unit,
and the Scosche RSA2900F.

First, the PowerLock - is hotwiring more difficult to do with the more
modern cars? I have a Volvo 2001 S80, and I can't imagine that it's as
easy as ripping out a few wires, making it possible to steal the car in
under 30 seconds. But maybe I'm wrong. Any info?

Then, how about the Viper GPS tracking system? My concern is that
someone could just easily check for this and rip it out or disable it.

Finally, the Scosche item looks pretty cool, it would tell me if there
is a break-in into my car. Of course, this alone would be pretty
useless, cause someone could drive away before I even get out to the
car...and then I'm back at my first question - how difficult is it to
hotwire a 2001 Volvo?

Thanks for any help!!

 

Your car has one of those imbedded transponders in the key, and a
receiver that talks to the fuel computer. If that transponder is not
near the antenna (as it is when the key is in the ignition) then the car
won't start even if the have a copied key. About the only way to steal
modern cars is tow truck or steal the key first. In fact, the latter is
becoming more common, house break-ins looking for car keys.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

 

So then simply hotwiring the car really shouldn't be much a concern? I
guess then there's not a lot of point to getting the GPS tracking
system, and I would think then that the Scosche RSA2900F
(http://www.uscaraudio.com/cgi-bin/usstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=RSA2900F)
or Viper's "Responder"
(http://www.directed.com/security/viper/viper_responder.asp) is
probably the best bet then....

Thanks!!

 

Yes, the days of the casual hot-wirer are pretty much over. An alarm
with GPS tracking is a good idea if you want to get your car back if a
pro grabs it. Some cars are simply flat-bedded away, stolen to order
for parts to repair a collision damaged car.

--
Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)