follow up on that leaky top issue.

That sure makes it easier to find the leak! Sorry, hope they catch the jerk who did that....

yup.

I've always thought that locking the doors on a convertable is A Bad Idea(tm).

Anybody with a pocket-knife (or even a pointy stick) can get into a convertible if they want to. Locking the doors is just forcing them to do so in a manner that's going to cost the car's owner $600-$800.

My practice is: don't leave anything worth stealing in the car and never lock the doors. That said, sometimes roofs get slashed anyway (mine did once -- the doors weren't locked and there was nothing stolen).

The one time somebody did want to steal from my car, they got a got their handfull of change and a few CDs, but the top was unharmed.

AFAICT nobody steals car stereos anymore (at least here in the US), and for various reasons nobody steals Miatas either.

It just doesn't feel right to leave the car unlocked :)

there is a saying, something like: opportunity made the thief

punk didn't steal the whole unit, just that "removable" front mask (control unit, dunno what's it called)

Faceplate.

Regardless, it's foolish to lock a convertible. Make it easy for them to see there's nothing of value inside. Junkies and other professional thieves won't waste time on an empty car.

There's not much you can do about vandals, alas, unless you have a silent alarm so you can catch them in the act and let them know personally how disappointed you are at their behavior. Perhaps with the help of a baseball bat.

Why?

When my top was slashed they paid the claim without asking whether the doors were locked or not.

I live in Texas. A baseball bat isn't of much use against a gun.

Silly boy. First you take his gun away using your gun. Then you break his legs with the baseball bat. Arms, too, if he actually damaged the car.

Someone got into a friend's old Hyundai, parked in the basement garage of an apartment building. He took a hammer to the ignition and then gave up. (Maybe saw too many movies, was expecting to find two wires, you rub them together and the car starts.)

He took about $3 in change and a wrench that was under the passenger seat. Did not touch the stereo or a coat that was in the back seat.

There is nothing about this car that makes it stand out. Sometimes your number comes up.

it wasn't insured against theft and that sorta things. just traffic accidents, etc.

Ouch!

Hey Pat, that's your kinda Shat, eh? lol (pun intended) cd

But I'm thinking most people's 'full coverage' would have a what, $250 or $500 deductable, wouldn't it?

cd