quite true. I mistakenly shut my hatch before picking up the keys I dropped while arranging items. After calling road side service, I had a man come over and proceed to unlock my car within moments and the factory alarm NEVER went off. Rather discouraging to know it didn't even make a peep.

 

you probably did not arm the security alarm, since you left the keyfob in the car...

the car was locked but not armed...

 

I don't know about the alarm, but a locksmith was able to get into my 2003 Mercedes with just a thin piece of plastic with a string tied to each end. This set off the alarm. Disconnecting the battery set off yet another alarm. (Go figure, capacitor?). Upon reboot I was able to open the trunk. Yup, thats where I retrieved my keys

 

No no.. I had the key with me. I even made sure to look for my spare because I thought maybe a friend was playing a joke. Anyway, I appreciate the ideas.

Bastids...

 

That's your problem right there.
It's not a factory alarm system, it's a factory keyless entry system.

Don't believe? Try this:
- Sit inside your car.
- Lock it with the remote.
- Unlock it manually and open the door.

Alarm will not go off.

You need to get a "real" alarm system.

 

When I did that after waiting 30 seconds locking it with the remote, my car horn just beeps. I don't even know if I want an alarm unless it pages my cell phone. Anything else cound render itself useless when it comes down to your alarm going off and you actually recieving the indication.

 

i agree that thieves will take something out of your car if they want it, but alarms deter them in a LOT of cases...why don't you get a removable steering wheel and sleep with it at night, it makes me feel a lot better . Least they won't be able to take your car.

 

Removing the steering wheel wont prevent a tow truck or flat bed from stealing your car. The day I picked up my Z back in 2002 i had a aftermarket alarm installed. Someone tried to pry the handle but was unsuccessful. Left minor scratches. You got to be crazy not to have a aftermarket alarm in the Z. The car attracts all kinds of people.

 

Then WTF is that little RED security light on the dash for? All this time I thought when I locked my car with remote, it was secure.

 

Belive it or not they do sell devices that can capture the code of your fob and then be used to program the same code into a universal fob. They can capture your code from up to 300 feet away in fact. Modern keyless entry systems are actually very primitive and easy to get around with the right equipment. That is why the key also has certain security features built into it. They probably used a device like this and that is why there are no signs of forced entry and also why the alarm didn't go off. These devices are pretty cheap and with the right forged documents anyone can get one.

Other devices like the jiffy-jak or a hook tool like locksmiths use will open the car with no signs of forced entry but at the same time will set off the alarm. So if the alarm didn't go off then they must have hacked your fobs code and opened it that way.

 

It is secure to a certain extent but every system has it's limitations! The main feature of the factory one is that once it is locked from the outside it must be unlocked from the outside or else the alarm will go off. So if they smash your window and reach inside to unlock it the alarm will go off and the ignition will be electronicly disabled untill it receives the transponder code from the key.

 

one time this guy/thug asked me at the gas station if "those things really had windows that roll up and down when you open the door".. i thought for a split second and said "nah". i thought he may have heard something on how to break into one so i lied

it was a very weird question wasnt it?

 

At least they didnt leave with the car. I would still feel unsafe with a pager alarm and lojack.

 

i need the James Bond exploding car theft deterent system

 

When you open or close the door watch the window, it moves about 10mm or so. Thats probably what the guy was referring to

 

I never knew about any of this, but ive recently had some things (mostly CD's) stolen out of my Z as well and there was nothing wrong with the car nor signs of forced entry so I had convinced myself that I forgot to lock the car... which i still think I may have... but damn... i cant belive its not hard to break in to.

Is there any way to make them harder to get into outside of shaving the door handles off?

And like others have said... other than an alarm that pages you, what would an aftermarket alarm offer than the factory system doesnt... besides maybe being overly sensitive... i dont want a car that freaks out when people have loud exhaust.

 

^ Yeah, is there a way to add a "brain" to the OEM configuation? From a resale perspective, people always want something that looks and feels like OEM and not aftermarket.

I like the idea of another active alarm to support what I have now but ideally, I would add a proximity and impact sensor to my existing setup.

Holla back, yo!

 

they might get stuff out, but they arent taking the whole thing, with a disabler.unless they tow it?but if it pages you, you'd most likely have enough time to go and insure safety of your ride.

 

You all are talking about how easy it is to break into a Z. You must be talking about the coupes, 'cuz it's much easier to break into a roadster. Aside from keeping the roadster locked in your garage at home...anyone with a knife can get into your Z roadster.

I had an aftermarket alarm installed, that made a loud noise, and my car still got stolen. Noise alarms do nothing if no one cares to check out what's going on. Pager types are the only way to go...just make sure you have a weapon when you confront the thief.

 

Right...and that's why he told the "thug" that they don't. The guy was probably looking for a car that was an easy target to break into.