Trackers

[andyt]

If car is a stolen recovered , you'll get screwed come resale time

Why so? AIUI it won't show on any records and surely you don't have to declare it, especially if no damage was done?

[andyt]

If you want proper security, remote anti hijack is the only way to go. Dial a telephone number and enter an activation code, it will then cut the engine dead. Because the unit has a sim card fitted as long as there is a mobile phone signal wherever the car is, it will just die! Obviously if the car is parked up it's not much good, but for thieves on the move, its great.

I thought about getting something like that, but I thought about it from the thief's POV. If I'd just stolen a car and then whilst driving down the road the engine cuts, I don't think I'm likely to freewheel it to the side of the road, park it safely and close all the doors. I think they'll just abandon it in the middle of the road, with all the doors open - perhaps out of spite.

Oh and surely these things can't cut the engine regardless of current speed? Maybe they do graduated power loss or something.

[hanbury]

I was also thinking about one of these - specifically the Clifford Blackjax. I haven't heard of the 'remote' version though. The one I looked at requires a PIN whichand if this isn't entered the vehicle gradually cuts out after a few hundred yards or so with the hazards and alarm going.

To be honest, although I haven't finally made up my mind, I still think they sound like a pretty good idea. So what if the thief legs it and leaves the doors open, if it's only a little way up the road I'd have thought you should be able to recover it pretty quickly and nobody else is going to be able to drive it off in the meantime. I also can't see the thief taking time to do any malicious damage as the alarm and hazards will be going full bore I'd have thought he'd be inclined to make a very speedy exit.

Of course the biggest worry is how Mr Thief gets the keys in the first place as I think this is the only likely way he'll be driving off in the vehicle to start with.

[andyt]

I was also thinking about one of these - specifically the Clifford Blackjax. I haven't heard of the 'remote' version though. The one I looked at requires a PIN whichand if this isn't entered the vehicle gradually cuts out after a few hundred yards or so with the hazards and alarm going.

I guess the distance is crucial. If it cuts out a few yards down the road, then perhaps the theives are going to come straight back to you, a little pissed off. If it's been jacked from your house, then you really don't want that.

To be honest, although I haven't finally made up my mind, I still think they sound like a pretty good idea. So what if the thief legs it and leaves the doors open, if it's only a little way up the road I'd have thought you should be able to recover it pretty quickly and nobody else is going to be able to drive it off in the meantime. I also can't see the thief taking time to do any malicious damage as the alarm and hazards will be going full bore I'd have thought he'd be inclined to make a very speedy exit.

I guess it depends on the thief and how spiteful they are. It's easy enough to just get out and leave the handbrake off and the car in neutral.

[SR71]

I went for VRI rather than GAP.

As binder says, getting the insurance from a third party halved the cost from the dealer quoted £730 to £367.

This is a policy with cover for four years (max benefit £25K), albeit, the cover is only needed for three years because my insurance company cover me for the first year anyway.

Tracker Horizon fitted which insurance company requires so no choice on that front....