Do Car Thieves seek high valued cars, or car that just look nice?

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I showed my dad a picture of the Kia Soul Burner, a car I'm liking the look of. It is pretty much a pre-made Ricer version of a stock Soul, stuffed with a TON of accessories such as Alloys, spoiler, decal, etc.

Kia%20Soul%20burner.jpg


It's not as high valued as just about any Lexus or Infiniti's you see in dealership, and it's also by a company most people don't know, like or care about. My dad was liking the styling, but eventually decided to state that this car's likely to be broken into. I tried to justify that this won't likely be broken into because it's by a non-so well known brand and that it's not something of great value versus a Lexus or BMW. He claims that it is likely to be broken into, to be driven around for fun, but not stolen, because it looks like a car that's fun to drive.

If that's the case, then shouldn't most tiny box cars (opinionated) have been broken into already? Mini Coopers, anyone?

What factors do you think affect the likeliness of a car being stolen? Value? Looks? any other factors did not mention?
 
They could just break in and just steal the radio.
No matter where you are or what make/model it is.
 
Parts. Parts parts parts. The most stolen/broken-into cars are Accords, Camrys, Civics, etc., because of the market for parts.
 
I would say something like that Soul would be more likely to be broken into, or stolen, since thieves know that many cars done up similarly have fancy stereo systems and other parts that could be sold off. It's the same with Jeeps, the ones that are done up with larger lifts and fancy wheels are more likely to be stolen since thieves can get good money for the aftermarket parts.
 
Depends really, if it's a car stolen to order, then they'll definitely go for the higher value ones. I suppose if it's for personal gain, probably one they like the look of.

Or, as is the case often in the UK, many youths will steal old cars such as the Ford Escort or Rover 200, hardly good looking or high value cars.

escort1.8i-16vfront34.jpg
AETV24539086_1b.jpg

But just because;
a) They're that desperate for a motor
b) They're easy to break into

Coincidentally enough, my parents have owned both of those cars I just put above.
 
Some people steal cars just because they're easy to steal. I seem to recall that third-gen Camaros and Firebirds are notoriously easy to break into, and with them being desirable at the time, yeah... It happens.

The thing is, with any car, you have to be defensive about how you're leaving it, regardless of what it is. Park it in a well-lit area, or in a spot where a lot of people will be near. Don't leave anything out that is of value, it is a signal flare for people looking for the right car. You could have one hella-nasty Oldsmobile Cutlass Wagon sitting anywhere, and if you've got a bag of nice clothes or some DVDs out on the seat, chances are that someone who is looking for the opportunity to get something will take it.
 
Never discount the jealously factor, nor the fact that any sort of attention grabbing looks (whether they be pricey mods or not) will likely draw the wrong kind of attention out of a bunch of everyday, perhaps even pricer cars.

It's a shame really that when you have nice things you become a bigger target, but that's just life I guess.
 
You said: Never discount the jealously factor, nor the fact that any sort of attention grabbing looks (whether they be pricey mods or not) will likely draw the wrong kind of attention out of a bunch of everyday, perhaps even pricer cars.

It's a shame really that when you have nice things you become a bigger target, but that's just life I guess.

I say: I guess that's why I never take my prized possessions outside the house unless I know where it's going is safe.

that really sucks. There's some stereo accessory where red lights will glow around the speakers on the door with your music. I saw it in the ad, looks very pretty. i don't suppose they'll be able to steal those if they're a part of the car and not aftermarket? All of this is stuff from Kia, not aftermarket, so how is it possible for them to sell it as aftermarket if its the original parts?

If I was 5 years older with a job and can afford this car, i suppose i'll get only alloy wheels, eyeliner, dragon decal and red interior. That'll should probably lower its level of attractiveness enough that there isn't much to take, right? because all they can really take is the rims, but with wheel locks it's probably not going to go anywhere, right? everything else is graphics.

maybe the soul will be another one of those cars on the To be stolen list. Kia even mentions its got "50+" Accessories.

That red ring speaker thing I was speaking about:

 
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but with wheel locks it's probably not going to go anywhere, right?
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Hmm, guess again. Wheel locks may prevent many thieves from taking your wheels, but I believe most wheel locks from the same brand use the same key, so it would be a simple matter of getting a "replacement" key. There's also the option of hammering on a socket and wrenching it off.
 
Well when my mother's BMW 325i was stolen we all immediately thought that it was going to be stripped for parts, sold for loot, or just used as a daily driver. Luckily it was used as the third option when police found it a year later with aftermarket wheels, exhaust pipe and interior. So I guess they aim for good looking cars. Yet almost everyone I talk to that owns a 90's model of an Civic, Integra, Legend, Accord,etc. says that its been stolen.
So thieves aim for anything that has working parts.
 
Oh dear, the Soul Burner... I drove past one of those coming out of a junction yesterday and almost had to pull over to stop myself laughing.

I'd imagine that it's about as at-risk as any other car to be honest. Don't forget that the traditional 'break in and steal' method pretty much died with early '90s cars. If thieves want something now, they just nick the keys.
 
Sage
Parts. Parts parts parts. The most stolen/broken-into cars are Accords, Camrys, Civics, etc., because of the market for parts.
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Have to agree with Sage. If'n you google up the top ten most stolen cars, you'll find that Kia's aren't on the list...yet.

As Kia becomes a more acknowledged brand...Well, we'll see.
But Kia has the enviable position of now having some pretty cute cars, that have damn near no aftermarket support.

So you can do an intake, catback exhaust, fancy wheels, and stereo.
Pretty much the crap that will likely get stolen are stereo components and fancy wheels.
 
Basically, it boils down to what is easy to sell or easy to sell in parts. Neither of which points to the Soul.
 
They steal doors hoods anything they can make money on.Also it come's down to what type of car also.
 
They steal what people drive. What you're looking at is merely an illustration of the differences in tastes between the two markets.
 
Funny because I dont live in either. haha

Yeah I thought that wheel lock thing too, about replacement parts. Shouldn't the dealership ask to for hard proof that you own a certain car before they sell you wheel locks? If not It'd be smart to get 4 different brand wheel locks and assemble them to all wheels. That's irremovable for sure :lol:

Nah Im not a big stereo in the car, kind of guy. If I got a car, whatever was in stock is more than enough for me.

@Pitracer, wow the police were able to identify a car a year later with a bunch of swapped parts? That's amazing.
 
There's also the joyriding. People will steal a car and thrash it around like mad without worrying about any damage done to it. That's the reaosn high-end cars tend to be stolen around here. Also, sedans are stolen (around here) to rob banks.
 
Tom Servo
There's also the joyriding. People will steal a car and thrash it around like mad without worrying about any damage done to it. That's the reaosn high-end cars tend to be stolen around here. Also, sedans are stolen (around here) to rob banks.
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Around here, I hear that they try to burn the inside but luckily my cigarette lighter didn't work or they had something else in mind.
 
Pitracer100
Its amazing how the lists are nothing alike.
Americans steal ricers and trucks and British steal hatchbacks and sedans.
Crazy world to live in...
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Well I don't think it's a list of the most attractive cars to thieves (save for perhaps the Escort, which are usually stolen the second you park it outside), but simply a list based on the number stolen in a year. So naturally, the fact that there are eleventy-billion Vectras on the roads mean that the stats will be slightly skewed. Every single Subaru Impreza in Britain could be stolen in a year and it still probably wouldn't make that list, simply on the basis that there are more Transit vans stolen than Imprezas sold.


a Trico Pro
Funny because I dont live in either. haha

Yeah I thought that wheel lock thing too, about replacement parts. Shouldn't the dealership ask to for hard proof that you own a certain car before they sell you wheel locks? If not It'd be smart to get 4 different brand wheel locks and assemble them to all wheels. That's irremovable for sure :lol:
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Well bear in mind that most people (myself included) just leave them in the glovebox. Which sounds ridiculous, but you'll want to kill yourself if you get a flat on the hard shoulder of the motorway and they're locked away in a cupboard somewhere.
 
a Trico Pro
@Pitracer, wow the police were able to identify a car a year later with a bunch of swapped parts? That's amazing.
Click to expand...

Well in the US they check your car's ID number if it seems stolen.
Most the time stolen cars are pulled over for reckless driving and broken lights.
So it seems near impossible, but it can be done.
 
If they want it for parts then the most popular cars. If they want it to sell in foriegn countries that have a big demand for luxury cars like. Russia, China and former Russian territories. Then its MB, Lexus, Rang Rovers, BMW and what ever they fancy in there local markets. For kids that what to just steal for joy rides it's what is ever that is easy to break into and get started usaully older cars without anti theft.
 
People would much rather steal my $850 head unit rather than just the car itself. Like, my car may be worth more but the head unit is easier to steal.
 
Pitracer100
Its amazing how the lists are nothing alike.
Americans steal ricers and trucks and British steal hatchbacks and sedans.
Crazy world to live in...
Click to expand...
Actually, American thieves go for cars that are the closest to stock. They have no intention on stealing body kits or large spoilers because they're ridiculously hard to sell. Stock parts however, are easy as can.

Radio units & wheels are stolen because they are usually universal & can't fit any car & can be sold for large amounts.
 
a Trico Pro
Do Car Thieves seek high valued cars, or car that just look nice?
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Yes.

It depends on the region and the thief.
* If the thief is just after a car to spack about in (joyrider), they'll pick whatever is easiest to get into - usually something older and without immobilisers/alarms to beat (this is why a sticker saying you have an alarm is a deterrent even if you don't have an alarm - also invest in a flashing red LED. Write "Clifford" on it in Tippex/whiteout if you're feeling cheeky). Steering wheel locks are also a deterrent, even a crap one. If you own a car that's easy to break into, parking it next to another one which doesn't have an alarm sticker and steering wheel lock means they probably won't bother with yours.
* If the thief is after a car to get them somewhere, they'll go for whatever's common and easy to take. The cops will notice an orange Pagani Zonda. They probably won't notice a silver Ford Focus (or local equivalent). The ANPR/PNC will still pull up a record on the car, but if no-one's noticed it has gone missing yet, it'll just show up as legal and look clean through it.
* If the thief is after a specific car, he'll take that car. This is a professional thief, stealing to order. All bets are off.
* If the thief is after parts, he'll again take whatever's common or whatever the dealer he's stealing for has requested. This is where microdot tech comes in - a sticker saying your parts are microdotted means the dealer won't touch them and the thief knows this. It doesn't take much to trace a microdotted part to the dealer that handled it (say your silver Ford Focus is nicked but microdotted - you tell the police and the company with whom your microdots are registered and suddenly every silver Focus in the area will be stopped and checked for recent work and microdotted parts).
* If the thief's a ramraider, he'll take a 4x4 estate or SUV. Impreza owners know this already.
* If the thief is just after an evening of dicking about and goading the police, he'll steal a tarted-up hot hatch, so he can drive like a bell end with his mates egging him on. Plus they know, as we do, that people who tart up hot hatches spend loads on aesthetics and powder-coated parts and nothing at all on alarm systems. See the first bulletpoint again.
* If they're nicking for cash, they'll take cars with expensive stereo systems, alloy wheels, stuff on the seats clearly visible from the outside or, amusingly, catalytic convertors. Again, locking wheel nuts and microdots are good signs to a thief he should jog on, though almost everyone puts the locking nut key in the glovebox/under the passenger seat/in the boot with the spare.


The summary is that all cars are at risk from thieves, and the better the security - and the better it is advertised - the less risk you are at compared to someone else who owns the same car. There's still little to protect you if you have a prestige car - stolen to order by professional car thieves - or someone hi-abbing (non-Brits: hoist) your car away. A truly determined thief will not be deterred by anything you have - but the casual thief will walk on to a less-well-protected car. If you park in a public car park, advertising your security (locking nuts, steering wheel lock [DiskLok etc.), alarm system stickers/LEDs, microdot stickers, etched glass) might mean you avoid two break-in attempts per day - 700 break-in attempts per year, for the cost of £300 or so.

You can also help by parking next to cheaper cars or cars with no visible signs of security, in well-lit car parks, sites in plain sight (top of a multistorey/parking structure, where the surrounding buildings can see your car, rather than inside one where visibility is really poor) or car parks with CCTV cameras. And for crying out loud, put all your junk in the trunk - even a jacket which is visible makes your car a target, since it might contain a wallet or cellphone. An opportunist thief will think nothing of putting your window through just to see - 10 seconds' work for a potential cellphone is a no-brainer.
 

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