I think there is generally a difference between a carjacker and a professional car thief. The carjacker is just taking the car for a joy ride or some other ridiculous reason. A thief is generally looking to cash in on the vehicle parts, and carjacking is presents a much bigger risk.

Certainly, I am leary of carjackings now that I have 24" wheels on, but I try to overlook that fear and just keep on rolling. If something is going to happen, it is going to happen.

 

I share your perspective. I would love to hear what everyone else has to say? Is this only a southern california concern?

 

A co-workers father-in-law was the victim of an attempted car jacking in San Diego. 70 years old and retired, he was in his new Mercedes when somebody stuck a gun in his face and told him to get out. He got out all right with a knife about a foot long and opened up the gunman from crotch to neck. The guys guts hit the road and the car jacking attempt was terminated forthwith. The owner told the cops that he'd worked all his life for the car and he wasn't going to give it to some thug.

 

Have you upgraded the security system ? With rims you should also invest in a tracking system..

 

I think that most of the thieves that steal these cars are professionals that actually make a living out of doing it and wouldnt risk getting busted for attempted murder as opposed to a slap on the hand for grand theft. When my EXT got jacked 2 months ago there was very minimal damage. It was a clean job the guy knew exactly what he was doing. I was fortunate enough to recover it before it got stripped down. I live in West Covina, and I work in a real bad area of Compton. Im still a little paranoid when I drive to work and you can never be too catious. I always figured that if it ever got stolen it would be by my work, but it was actually stolen at the mall by my house. I always had a friend of my wifes telling me that my car was going to get stolen, and she was right, but 1 month after my car was stolen her husband got car jacked at gunpoint right in front of USC in broad daylight for a 97 Accord so I guess you really never know. I think car jackers that use weapons are mostly petty thieves that are desperate, or losser gang bangers looking for a joy ride to commit a crime. I guess you really never know so just continue to watch you rear views fellas, and be careful out there. We work too hard for these rides for some losser to just come and take it from us that easily.