| Sports cars are coveted items and it is not | | | | disguisable so as not to encourage theft. It's also |
| surprising thieves too often target these valuable | | | | been found that one can reduce the likelihood of |
| vehicles. There is a steady market for | | | | break-ins by making the interior a little less visible. |
| professional car thieves willing to steal sports cars. | | | | For some sports cars, tinted windows may be |
| Meanwhile, joy riders and other potential car | | | | both a great look and a theft deterrent. A simple |
| thieves seem uniquely attracted to a beautiful | | | | fold-up sunscreen can protect your car from both |
| sports car. There is, of course, no way to | | | | harmful ultraviolet rays and prying eyes. |
| guarantee you will not be victimized by a car | | | | Present Small Challenges |
| thief, but there are measures you can take to | | | | Car thieves work fast because their "career" |
| reduce the risk of having your sports car stolen. | | | | requires it. The longer a thief has to wrangle with |
| These five tips, if followed, should significantly | | | | a vehicle, the more likely he is to bail out of his |
| decrease the likelihood of car theft. | | | | mission. If a thief can ascertain quickly that a job |
| Location, Location, Location | | | | will take more than a few minutes, he is likely to |
| The mantra of "location, location, location" is | | | | pass on by. As such, it is a great idea to take |
| common to the real estate industry. The location | | | | small measures that will make theft less |
| of a piece of real property determines, in large | | | | convenient. |
| measure, its value. Location is also important | | | | If you have the opportunity to parallel park |
| when it comes to car theft. One should take | | | | between two other cars, take it. By making your |
| steps to avoid leaving their sports car unattended | | | | car less capable of a quick getaway, you reduce |
| in locations where a theft is more likely. | | | | the risk of theft. Additionally, being in the |
| For instance, one should strive to use secured | | | | proximity of others will make the act of stealing |
| parking areas. Monitored lots and garages deter | | | | your sports care more visible, which is very |
| car thieves. If a monitored parking area is | | | | unattractive to thieves. |
| unavailable, it is wise to seek out parking locations | | | | Small internal adjustments can also be a nice |
| that are well lit and clearly visible to others. | | | | additional deterrent. If you have tilt steering, you |
| Privacy is the thief's best friend, so parking in that | | | | may want to set the wheel at its lowest point, |
| remote nook or cranny increases the risk of | | | | making quick access to the driver's seat more |
| wrongdoing. | | | | difficult. Setting the parking brake can and turning |
| Key Control | | | | wheels toward the curb in a street-parking |
| Although it is extremely simple and intuitive, taking | | | | situation can also help. Some people have gone so |
| your keys with you when you exit the car is the | | | | far as to pull their seatbelt over the steering |
| best way to reduce theft risk. One should take | | | | wheel after parking, hoping the time required to |
| their keys with them whenever they are leaving | | | | access the driver's seat will be lengthened enough |
| the car-even if it is only for a quick run in and out | | | | to turn a thief off. |
| of somewhere where the car remains in your | | | | Use of items such as "the Club" can also help. |
| sight. | | | | Even if these locking mechanisms are not |
| Most car thefts are, in large measure, crimes of | | | | foolproof, they do add to the time required to |
| opportunity. To a potential thief, nothing screams | | | | steal a sports car. A potential thief, who needs to |
| opportunity like dangling keys in the ignition. Don't | | | | finish the act quickly and quietly, may see |
| tempt the sports car thief; take your keys with | | | | something as simple as a wheel lock as just |
| you. | | | | enough of a time-water to dissuade him from |
| A corollary to this hint is the reminder that one | | | | attacking your sports car. |
| should never leave their car running, even on the | | | | Alarms do Work |
| iciest of days. You may relish returning to a | | | | There is a growing belief that car alarms have |
| toasty car from your quick errand, but a few | | | | become so commonplace that they are no longer |
| seconds of chilliness is surely worth suffering | | | | effective. How many people even look in the |
| through if the alternative is a stolen vehicle. | | | | direction of an alarm these days? It is true that |
| Hide the Goodies | | | | car alarms no longer possess the novelty value |
| Having your entire car stolen and driven away is | | | | they once had, but they still can act as a |
| the ultimate car theft nightmare. Having valuable | | | | deterrent to car theft. |
| objects taken from within the car runs a close | | | | Thieves do not want any attention called to their |
| second. In some cases, a thief's desire to nab | | | | activities. Although many of us ignore the beeps |
| your awesome sound system may even inspire | | | | and sirens of alarms, many people will still look |
| him to "borrow" the car until he can get it to a | | | | when they hear an alarm. Even if an alarm's |
| quiet place to perform the stereo removal. In | | | | effectiveness is less than 100%, it increases the |
| other cases, sports car owners can suffer from | | | | attention drawn to the act of car theft, and that |
| broken windows or damaged locks when a thief | | | | can be enough to discourage break-in. Additionally, |
| has entered a car in search of a visible valuable | | | | disarming the alarm will take time, and as we |
| item. | | | | have noted, speed is key to the sports car thief. |
| When exiting your car, do a quick scan for any | | | | Car alarm installation is still a best bet for sports |
| items that may hold an attraction for a thief and | | | | car protection. |
| get those items out of plain view. Trinkets as | | | | You can never guarantee your sports car will |
| trivial as a cheap watch or a few CDs may | | | | remain safely in your possession at all times. A |
| attract the attention of break-in artists, so don't | | | | gorgeous sports car can seem almost irresistible |
| assume what is of little value to you will be | | | | to a thief, after all. Remembering these five |
| uninteresting for a thief. | | | | pointers, however, can minimize the risk of theft |
| It's a good idea to purchase stereos with | | | | significantly. |
| removable front plates or that are otherwise | | | | |