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08 February 2001, 01:42 PM
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My name's Nick Trott, I'm a freelance writer currently researching a feature on behalf of BBC Top Gear Magazine. I have spoken to a few police officers who've told me that Subaru's are being stolen and used as getaway cars.
I need your opinions on this, and any links/e-mail addresses to anyone who knows someone who's stolen Scooby was used in a robbery. Contact me on 07767 700041 or nick.trott@virgin.net. Many thanks. (PS. I'm a typical journo, which means I need this info yesterday...)
I need your opinions on this, and any links/e-mail addresses to anyone who knows someone who's stolen Scooby was used in a robbery. Contact me on 07767 700041 or nick.trott@virgin.net. Many thanks. (PS. I'm a typical journo, which means I need this info yesterday...)
08 February 2001, 02:08 PM
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Nick,
I have been reliably informed that this practice has stopped entirely, and that the thieves are now stealing all manner of Cosworths for their getaway cars. Apparently this is because Scoob's are slower and less reliable than Ford's. I'm sure the boys on the RS owners board will validate this.
p.s. Can you tell the insurance companies this as well....
I have been reliably informed that this practice has stopped entirely, and that the thieves are now stealing all manner of Cosworths for their getaway cars. Apparently this is because Scoob's are slower and less reliable than Ford's. I'm sure the boys on the RS owners board will validate this.
p.s. Can you tell the insurance companies this as well....
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08 February 2001, 02:33 PM
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Err Lads, sorry to rain on your parade, but I got some bad news in the post on my return from skiing.
I got a letter from the West Yorkshire Police saying that there have been a
growing number of thefts of high-powered high value cars like "Subaru Impreza" within the Leeds North area. They also say these stolen vehicles are then used to commit further offences.
They also asked me to pass the warning on.
I got a letter from the West Yorkshire Police saying that there have been a
growing number of thefts of high-powered high value cars like "Subaru Impreza" within the Leeds North area. They also say these stolen vehicles are then used to commit further offences.
They also asked me to pass the warning on.
08 February 2001, 02:59 PM
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Not any more there not.
Too conspicuous i`d say. Everyone is wise to the fact now and if I was a getaway driver sat outside a bank waiting for a job to go down I wouldn`t want to be in a scoob which just shouts... I`M A BANK ROBBER
Too conspicuous i`d say. Everyone is wise to the fact now and if I was a getaway driver sat outside a bank waiting for a job to go down I wouldn`t want to be in a scoob which just shouts... I`M A BANK ROBBER
08 February 2001, 05:18 PM
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Think Stef's comment says it all really.
I have emailed the guy, pointing out that he *might* get a few emails from pissed off scooby owners, and that it's basically damn irresponsible to even consider writing such an article, as it's not exactly going to have anything really informative to say.
Also, where was that little application that I had that could send around a thousand emails a minute? might come in handy
not that I'd ever consider doing anything like that at all 
(THIS IS A JOKE! in case the bleeding heart liberals start whinging)
I have emailed the guy, pointing out that he *might* get a few emails from pissed off scooby owners, and that it's basically damn irresponsible to even consider writing such an article, as it's not exactly going to have anything really informative to say.
Also, where was that little application that I had that could send around a thousand emails a minute? might come in handy
not that I'd ever consider doing anything like that at all (THIS IS A JOKE! in case the bleeding heart liberals start whinging)
08 February 2001, 07:11 PM
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Try to get something right Nick !!
"Over" means "I've stopped transmitting and am awaiting a reply"
"Out" means "I have finished transmitting and am signing off" - ie not awaiting a reply
You can't have "Over AND out" !!
Still - when have inaccuracies got in the way of a good story ?
Stan
"Over" means "I've stopped transmitting and am awaiting a reply"
"Out" means "I have finished transmitting and am signing off" - ie not awaiting a reply
You can't have "Over AND out" !!
Still - when have inaccuracies got in the way of a good story ?
Stan
08 February 2001, 08:28 PM
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okay you guys... exactly what did you take offense to here... the guy yeah maybe he asked what you thought was a dump question.. maybe his approach was somewhat ... strange... but at the end of the day... your answers did not justify the approach...
There was an attempt on my car back in the summer thankfully they didn't get it... and two weeks later the building next door was ramraided and yes they used a scoob not mine I hasten to add... and my car was broken into on the same day that 4 cars in that same area were attempted to be stolen...
You don't have to speak to people like they don't have a clue... your responses all of them were rude ....
Nick I apologise... but at the end of the day this is not the place to 'news hound'... sorry but you left yourself wide open for that one....
There was an attempt on my car back in the summer thankfully they didn't get it... and two weeks later the building next door was ramraided and yes they used a scoob not mine I hasten to add... and my car was broken into on the same day that 4 cars in that same area were attempted to be stolen...
You don't have to speak to people like they don't have a clue... your responses all of them were rude ....
Nick I apologise... but at the end of the day this is not the place to 'news hound'... sorry but you left yourself wide open for that one....
08 February 2001, 10:08 PM
#21
hmmm...
What a shame we would have such a negative attitude to all this.
At the end of the day chaps, things happen in the world. We love to read the dirt on everybody else.
I'm not sure that insulting and alienating someone who is just about to write an article in one of the most prominent motoring magazines about a serious aspect of our cars is / was such a good idea.
On behalf of scoobynet, I would like to apologise to Nick for the lack of respect shown to him.
I personally hate the fact that our cars may be portrayed as a thief's best friend and that people may be put off them, but I would rather work with you to make sure it's fair...
at least that way we can all tell you that "Yes, I am sure they will be used as a get-away car from time to time. The reason for this is that they are one of the most capable, rapid and easy to drive a-b cars on the planet." If I was a bank robber, I'm sure I would want something like that also!
Coments like that MIGHT be better than just hearing the negative side.
I sincerely hope Nick has not lost all faith in us.
Kind regards
Simon
What a shame we would have such a negative attitude to all this.
At the end of the day chaps, things happen in the world. We love to read the dirt on everybody else.
I'm not sure that insulting and alienating someone who is just about to write an article in one of the most prominent motoring magazines about a serious aspect of our cars is / was such a good idea.
On behalf of scoobynet, I would like to apologise to Nick for the lack of respect shown to him.
I personally hate the fact that our cars may be portrayed as a thief's best friend and that people may be put off them, but I would rather work with you to make sure it's fair...
at least that way we can all tell you that "Yes, I am sure they will be used as a get-away car from time to time. The reason for this is that they are one of the most capable, rapid and easy to drive a-b cars on the planet." If I was a bank robber, I'm sure I would want something like that also!
Coments like that MIGHT be better than just hearing the negative side.
I sincerely hope Nick has not lost all faith in us.
Kind regards
Simon
09 February 2001, 12:00 AM
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In the recently government published list of stolen cars (someone posted the URL here a month or so ago) wasn't the Impreza classed as a medium risk car (Less than 4 cars stolen out of every 1000 each year). In fact I remember showing it to a guy here at work who was surprised to see his car (Ford Escort Si) was a much higher risk.
Anybody care to find this document and forward it to this guy??
Anybody care to find this document and forward it to this guy??
09 February 2001, 10:07 AM
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Webby,
This might be a good time to bin the rose tinted spectacles. IMHO journo's will write/publish what makes a good story, not what a few owners want them to publish. Any good story on this topic is going to sensationalise scooby theft. I can't imagine any way that this story can benefit owners. I can imagine a very large number of ways where it will hurt us. I am surprised that you think you can make the article fair. (Ask our muppet god MR B. Dog about fairness and magazine articles in the same sentence, then stand well back.) I would personally prefer not to see any article which places the scoob as the tool of choice for theiving scumbags.
This might be a good time to bin the rose tinted spectacles. IMHO journo's will write/publish what makes a good story, not what a few owners want them to publish. Any good story on this topic is going to sensationalise scooby theft. I can't imagine any way that this story can benefit owners. I can imagine a very large number of ways where it will hurt us. I am surprised that you think you can make the article fair. (Ask our muppet god MR B. Dog about fairness and magazine articles in the same sentence, then stand well back.) I would personally prefer not to see any article which places the scoob as the tool of choice for theiving scumbags.
09 February 2001, 10:46 AM
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fastbloke,
I think what webbie is referring to is that the article is going to be written no matter what, being offensive isnt going to stop it.
If positive comments had of been made, we may have got our point across, as it is now, we have probably lost the opportunity.
If si agrees to remove the specs, which are only lightly tinted, maybe you should remove the blinkers which are narrowing your vision somewhat
robski
I think what webbie is referring to is that the article is going to be written no matter what, being offensive isnt going to stop it.
If positive comments had of been made, we may have got our point across, as it is now, we have probably lost the opportunity.
If si agrees to remove the specs, which are only lightly tinted, maybe you should remove the blinkers which are narrowing your vision somewhat
robski
09 February 2001, 10:49 AM
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I'm afraid that, as a freelance for the nationals, I really ought to point out a few unpleasant facts.
Unfortunately the old addage of 'why let the truth get in the way of a good story' is as true now as it ever was. These people are not particularly clever, but very good manipulation and 'spin'.
Whilst I would agree with most of the above replies, I would point out that the guy's going to write the story with or without our help. All that our attitude will acheive is to imply that the problem is of even more concern than it is, and that why we are reluctant to discuss it. So it's actually very counter-productive.
Frankly, his post should just have been ignored. If anything, he now has a better angle than before.
Josh
Unfortunately the old addage of 'why let the truth get in the way of a good story' is as true now as it ever was. These people are not particularly clever, but very good manipulation and 'spin'.
Whilst I would agree with most of the above replies, I would point out that the guy's going to write the story with or without our help. All that our attitude will acheive is to imply that the problem is of even more concern than it is, and that why we are reluctant to discuss it. So it's actually very counter-productive.
Frankly, his post should just have been ignored. If anything, he now has a better angle than before.
Josh
09 February 2001, 11:06 AM
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Robski,
I don't believe that I have been offensive at any stage. Neither do I belive that I have taken a narrow minded perspective. If you can give me a story outline which casts this subject is a positive manner then I will gladly apologies to Nick, Webby and yourself for the above comments. At this point, I still cant envisage the story. I await your reply with baited breath......
I don't believe that I have been offensive at any stage. Neither do I belive that I have taken a narrow minded perspective. If you can give me a story outline which casts this subject is a positive manner then I will gladly apologies to Nick, Webby and yourself for the above comments. At this point, I still cant envisage the story. I await your reply with baited breath......
09 February 2001, 11:17 AM
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Of course there is no need to be rude, but dim crims read Top Gear as well as old gits.
And an article which publicizes the excellent qualities of the Impreza as a getaway car is not something I consider desirable.
Sorry Nick - but I am sure that you probably have a pretty thick skin if you're a journo.
JD
PS - wasn't there a magazine a little while back with a front cover consisting of an impreza with blokes with black head masks and guns hanging out of the windows?
And an article which publicizes the excellent qualities of the Impreza as a getaway car is not something I consider desirable.
Sorry Nick - but I am sure that you probably have a pretty thick skin if you're a journo.
JD
PS - wasn't there a magazine a little while back with a front cover consisting of an impreza with blokes with black head masks and guns hanging out of the windows?
09 February 2001, 11:26 AM
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Fast bloke,
firstly an appology. I didnt mean that you had been offensive, but was referring to the previous posts, and the fact that si (sir!) had referred to them. I should have been clearer.
But, the point that he has come here, and people have been offensive back hasnt helped. Maybe if we had said we dont know of any that have been used, but we know of loads of ATTEMPTED but failed attempts to steal imprezas, we may have influenced the article in a slightly positive way. The responses in general on this thread sound like weve got something to hide!
at the end of the day we were never going to stop the article being published were we!?
robski
firstly an appology. I didnt mean that you had been offensive, but was referring to the previous posts, and the fact that si (sir!) had referred to them. I should have been clearer.
But, the point that he has come here, and people have been offensive back hasnt helped. Maybe if we had said we dont know of any that have been used, but we know of loads of ATTEMPTED but failed attempts to steal imprezas, we may have influenced the article in a slightly positive way. The responses in general on this thread sound like weve got something to hide!
at the end of the day we were never going to stop the article being published were we!?
robski
09 February 2001, 11:36 AM
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Robski,
You are right. I hate the fact that people have been offensive. This is completely destructive and serves no puprose other than to alienate the journo.
That said, I can't see him penning a story which say loads of men in standard bankrobber uniforms have been spotted being unable to steal scoobs because of the security awareness of the owners? Josh has hit the proverbial nail. The thread should have been ignored. 20/20 hindsight is an excellent tool
You are right. I hate the fact that people have been offensive. This is completely destructive and serves no puprose other than to alienate the journo.
That said, I can't see him penning a story which say loads of men in standard bankrobber uniforms have been spotted being unable to steal scoobs because of the security awareness of the owners? Josh has hit the proverbial nail. The thread should have been ignored. 20/20 hindsight is an excellent tool
09 February 2001, 11:45 AM
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REVS magazine ran a cover story last year - cover pic featured the aforementioned balclava'd gang with shotguns hanging out of the windows of a black WRX.
The mag compared the WRX, 16v Golf GTI, Saxo and an M3.
Incidentally, the Scoob didn't win as 'Best Getaway Car' because it was judged to be too obvious a choice. It would stand out too much with the engine running outside a bank (!)
Both the mag and the Police (acting in an advisory capacity) reckoned that a good driver in the Golf would be more subtle and just as able to lose 'the fuzz' through a town, as the Scoob.
Lock up your VeeDubs!!
The mag compared the WRX, 16v Golf GTI, Saxo and an M3.
Incidentally, the Scoob didn't win as 'Best Getaway Car' because it was judged to be too obvious a choice. It would stand out too much with the engine running outside a bank (!)
Both the mag and the Police (acting in an advisory capacity) reckoned that a good driver in the Golf would be more subtle and just as able to lose 'the fuzz' through a town, as the Scoob.
Lock up your VeeDubs!!