Does your Vibe/Matrix rocket has been stolen recently?

[Bobtronique]

A friend told me his son got is 2004 Matrix stolen a week ago. They were on their way by walk to go to work around 10 o'clock in the morning. At the moment they reach their parking (on the street) the car was not threre anymore...When they called the police department around 10h30, the policeman says they were not the first person to call that day since the first hour. 19 peoples called that day between 6h00AM and 10h30AM to declared their car stolen during the night. What was strange and very surprising for me was the fact that the cars were almost Vibe and Matrix only...All stolen in the same department, Montreal-North...Until now, and after a documentary Radio-Canada presented recently, Acura, Honda and I don't remember other mentions were mostly the car stolen.Are you afraid to see your car vanish some day? What about anti-theft system factory installed? All the cars stolen that night were thow on a platform. Meaning: None of the cars had a alarm system that detect movement...What do you think?

[ColonelPanic]

Yikes... That's odd, whoever's idea that was, it sounds like it was very well organized. I guess someone needed a bunch of Toyota parts. Everybody is always praising the Vibe because it's got all that Toyota junk underneath, but in this case, I think it's quite a bad thing - just giving people a reason to steal Vibes since the big items they can take out of 'em would work in Toyota vehicles (engines/etc...) I'm sure the thugs can make a killing off these stolen vehicles. Scary.

[ArcsVibe]

Wow that is scary that sad part is that I grew up in Montreal North. Used to be a great area and to some it still is (my parents still live there) The problem with Montreal North is that they are too close to the chop shops in Laval......The first ever mod I did was to buy a very good alarm system (Clifford) I never believed in the factory installed systems and when my friends' Jetta got stolen (he had a factory system) I believed it even more.Just remember though that a pro theif will usually defeat any alarm system I hope the cops catch the MOFO's that stole those and any other cars!

[Cougar Vibe]

While I'm fairly happy with my car, if I were to risk prison time and the loving relationships that go along with it, I wouldn't boost a Vibe or Matrix.Maybe a M3. Maybe a Ford GT. Maybe any Porsche. But I'll be damned if I'll go to jail with a Vibe tattoo on my back...

[Bobtronique]

Yes it is scarying!When I got that news from my friend I became sad. His son likes so much his Matrix. What can be more frustrating than losing what you share the most in your life...What ever if it comes from an deliberate action or by the action of a fire...Stealers are not using full platform, but they used a set of wheels that is very rapid to install under the car they want. They took an average of 8 to 10 seconds to make their action...After some reflexion, I decided to get more infos about my anti-theft system. In that particular case, having something that could discourage these kind of action could be more than a must.I got info about ENFORCER 300L. It is sold for $400.00CAN, parts and labor included. I don't know about the price yet.I was wondering to find a system that could add some caracteristics to my actual system like movement detection, glass breaks detection and a better anti-start engine device. But, it is not existing yet for Pontiac/GM vehicules apparently.This is meaning that I have no choice to buy a new alarm system. I will see about the Clifford system. There is also an other consideration: time the system will last after installation, 1, 2 or even more years of reliability over years.

[Mavrik]

Quebec has always been pretty bad for car theft... where I worked before when I lived in ontario, I had a few customers who's jobs took them to quebec. One of them got 3 full size fully loaded ford company trucks stolen in 5 months. So on he new vehicles, we installed that Cobra security system that can even track stolen cars in steel containers. Not saying that security system solved it but he didn't have any stolen after that.

[Bobtronique]

Yes it is! Thefts are not rare around here. I've been lucky until now. But, the equation could change a little bit right now since my new car is very popular.He! Mavrik, where have you been relocated...Somewhere around Mojave Desert???

[vibe-04]

Sorry to hear of your friend's stolen Matrix: that really sucks. I bet it's kids and that's crappy cause they will abuse the car.Unless you have a very expensive lojack GPS or Boomerang cell phone system, car alarm might only deter the inexperience joy rider. Most pro's immobilize and tow or can bypass in minutes.I'm not familiar with the Vibe/Matirx being "easy" to joyride but I'm sure it's do-able. They don't use a frequency matched key system so it must be strickly a mechanical system. I would like to add an immoblizer system like I have on my Ford-very simple and effective. I use a switch to "open" the the fuel cutoff circuit and you can try till the cows come home and it won't start. Does the Vibe have a similar easily accessible circuit? All you need is a simple switch hidden inthe glove box area. Thieves never think of the obvious.Best suggestions it park (or get) in the garage and park in well lit areas when not at home. Also comfirm your insurance policy.....may all of you stay accident and theft free...

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by Bobtronique »Yes it is! Thefts are not rare around here. I've been lucky until now. But, the equation could change a little bit right now since my new car is very popular.He! Mavrik, where have you been relocated...Somewhere around Mojave Desert??? no I relocated to Alaska...

[AKLGT]

guess i take it for granted here. pretty much can leave the car with windows down or what not. the only place people have had much problems with car break ins, not car theft, has been one of the larger movie theaters in town. glad i don't live in areas where i have to be paranoid my car will be missing!

[binary]

CP was looking for good replacement parts for his car in Canada... it just took that many tries to find them.

[ColonelPanic]

Shizzle, I've been found out! What can I say, I'm a very demanding person, I expect high quality.

[ColonelPanic]

Before the cops come banging on the door, uh, that was a joke. Just look at the plastic stuff around my driver's side fender and front bumper, it's still duct taped, no stolen parts there. lol