nichop

ok, I admit, all this talk of car jacking is scaring me. In fact sufficiently that I might get rid of the scoob. I love my scoob to bits and it angers me that these crims should influence me in this way. 'No' I hear you say, 'don't let them'. I agree with you but i'm also concerned for the welfare of my family. If driving around in this car attracts this sort of attention, maybe it just isn't worth it.

So, what are you all thinking ? Anyone considering doing the same ? Is the risk actually pretty low and its just that we hear about it loads ?

Disco Boy

Is Surrey/Woking a high risk area for car-jacking?

MOUSEMAN

i wouldnt get rid of mine just because theres some brainless *****
about rather drive along with them hanging out the door doin 0-100
times.but at the end of the day its not worth gettin hurt for the cars insured and its only a car.

nichop

Don't think Woking is high risk but I travel a lot eg Nottingham, Birmingham where I believe it is more prevelant.

jods

Nicho P
It's fashionable for the media to boost something to make it appear like it's a major problem.

Example.

Near Misses of Aircraft
Doctors going Bad / Mad
Gun Toting Nutters
Drug Shootings
Gang Warface
Race Riots
Kiddle Fiddling Teachers/Pop Stars/God Botherers
Car Jackings
Food Spiking in Supermarkets
Date Raping Drugs
Yadda Yadda Yadda

The list must be far far longer than that.

Lifes too short to run scared.

I'll bet that most on the BBS will not have experienced that much trauma. And even if you have - You get over it in time.
That's the Human nature - Otherwise what's the point getting out of bed in the morning ??

MarkWRX

It is worrying but it does need to be put into perspective.

There is a lot of carjacking and housebreaking for car keys these days, but it is not just for subaru's, any 'decent' car is at risk.

If you look at some of the tracking companies stats there are far more BMW/Mercs etc stolen/recovered than scoobs/evos etc (Though addmittedly there are more BMW/Mercs on the road).

The press seem to highlight when Scoobs are jumped more than any other car at the moment.

If you take sensible precautions (see other thread) the risks can be minimised.

We should not let these ba$ta%rd$ stop us from enjoying our hard earned pride and joys.

jods

Well said Mark.

Hang some sense into these toerags !

MonkeyJismTea

This may make some of you feel better nad others not

According to police statistics, the theft of the classic Scoobies has fallen, mainly because of the release of the fugly model, Evo's are getting nicked more now, but the main market for car jacking is BMW Merc, Porsche etc. The people who take Scoobies and Evo's are normally after them as get away cars as most police cars can't get near them. There is a gang of aarmed robbers in Birmingham doing over petrol station in an EVO 6.

My advice is live for today, get your enjoyment out of YOUR car, if someone steals it don't be a hero phone the police and your insurance company.

MJT

"Enjoy yourself as much as you can, cuz your a long time dead"

DanTheMan

Hey Disco Boy, where are you in Woking ?

nichop

Guys, all very reassuring, thanks. I wonder just how many on Scoobynet have experienced this kind of thing compared to the number of members. That's the only down side to a forum like this - you get to hear the occasional bit of bad news and easy to get out of perspective.

Dan the Man, i'm in Woking. Are you going to the next area meet ? Never been before and would be great to know someone. If not, fancy meeting sometime ? How about u Disco Boy ?

Riftzone

dont get hung up on this car jackin lark. lets face it, there's more attractive cars out there than scoobs and it's pretty damned rare compared to car theft (which i've never suffered in 15 years of drivin). guess all we're sayin is be vigilent and take a few simple precautions, just in case....

the scoob stays. full stop.

ProperCharlie

If I was living in Miami or LA I might be worried about getting jacked, but as it is in the UK these incidents are still incredibly rare compared to the number of people driving about every day. However, reading about it did make me a bit less complacent as up until now I have never locked the doors whilst driving.

The only experience I had was about 12 years ago, I was driving a Bedford HA van (like an escort but smaller and slower). Some yoofs pursued me and as I had no chance of getting away I stopped. They surrounded my vehicle and one of them threatened to pull me out via the window and kick sh*t out of me. After a bit of grovelling from me they got bored and went away... I never liked Acton much after that.

AndyC_772

iTrader: (2)

Nichop,

Although there have been a few stories of aggravated theft or car-jacking over the last couple of years, it's worth pointing out that Scoobynet has over 15,000 members, and that news spreads fast. Whilst my deepest sympathies extend to those whose pride and joy has been taken forcibly, the actual number of incidents is mercifully low.

If you're worried, then by all means fit a tracker or anti-hijack device, then you can always hand over the keys without hesitation if challenged. Keep your keys out of reach of a fishing rod poked through the door, and at least you won't lose the car to someone who isn't prepared to come in the house for them. If someone wants it that badly, they won't be fishing for keys first anyway.

I'm sure we've all shared your concerns at some time, but I for one didn't want to miss out on all the fun. What else would you buy instead?

Andy.

Tiggs

"I wonder just how many on Scoobynet have experienced this kind of thing "

not as many as will drop dead from lung cancer but i dont see any non smoking posts.

T

ps- not anti smoke post just a pro persective one !

adamm

I've heard nothing in the press recently so it may just have been blown up by the media (as mentioned earlier in the post).

Before my scooby I had a £46k merc CLK, and this was when mercs where been targeted in London (mercs are very, very hard to nick without the keys)

I must say, I didn't feel "at risk", but if someone wanted to jack it - I'd tell them to enjoy it - then take the train home...

Only place that made me paranoid was driving round jo'burg!! say no more

nichop

Guess i'm a bit more nervous having already been a victim once ! Admittedly I was trying to sell the car at the time (prospective buyer turned nasty), but i've had my fill of jumping out of a car at speed at knife point :-( At least statistics are now in my favour :-)
Anyway, I just picked up my scoob from service during which I had a 1.6 new scoob. What a joy to get back in. Decision made - keeping it :-)

By the way, how do you get these smilies to appear in the message ?

Mojo

With this having happened to me so recently I must confess to having the thought of getting rid of my Scooby going through my head all the time. It's hard to shake.
I love it to bits and it still makes me smile everytime I drive it.
The problem is, what to change to anyway, I know I'd miss the power and the fun and anything that comes close will probably be just as nickable.
Right now I don't know what I'm going to do or whether I can afford to even change anyway (finance agreement etc).
Even though I got away with it this time, it's hard to stop thinking would I be so lucky next time?

Mojo

nichop

Mojo, my only thought was to get something downright boring for everyday transport and then get myself something really fun for the track.