Honda S2000 theft rate

I have an old Honda and want to get a 2005 Honda S2000. My husband is giving me grief about:

1. insurance rates going up (can't argue that one)
2. impractical (don't care)
3. the worst thing he is concerned over is that it has high theft rates
4. he says I will get tickets every 2 weeks (maybe sometimes...)
5. mileage is poor compared to old Honda
6. he thinks I will get tired of it within a short time (NOT)

I need some help here. Even a salesman at one dealership commented on the high theft rates... I would keep it garaged at night and when I am at home not driving it. The salesman mentioned something about a "low jack" that is some kind of tracking system that tracks the car in the event it is stolen. I see a lot of you all drive these cars and you seem to love them. Would you please tell me what you are doing to help avoid this possibility, or if there is even anything extra that can be done?

Also, even with an alarm system, isn't it pretty easy for someone to just take the top off and start making off with parts? I read that even the seats are outrageously expensive on one of the forums.

I am probably considerably older than everyone on this forum. My kids are grown and gone. I have never had a car like this in my life and I really want this very much... The only positives I have been able to come up with are that I love the car, it is so much fun to drive and I have never had anything like this before. It makes me smile just to look at it. I want the yellow one.

If any of you can help me out here, I would sure appreciate it... This will be the 10th Honda we have bought in our family.
Scarlett6

I disagree with the high theft rate. Typically car thiefs try to steal something a little more conspicous (Spelling?) such as a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Something they can easily get a tag for that will run with the correct car description. The S2000 is a bit more rare, stands out on the street, and does not blend in on the road with the other cars... Hence why it is not frequently stolen. Now someone breaking into it is another story, slice the top, reach in and get some stuff out, but being stolen, I don't believe it is that high on the list of stolen cars.


As far as people taking parts from the inside, I don't think by the time you get out of the grocery store they will have been able to take the seats out without being noticed, maybe a radio, but it happens, I'm sure. Owning an S2K is not practical in any sense of the word. It is a selfish car that is a dream to drive if you like going fast on the twisties, winding out RPM's, and appreciate the finer points of autos... or if you like cruising in style ; )

If your husband is all about practicality you will never convince him, just ask him why he doesn't want you to have what you want? Doesn't he want you to be happy and enjoy life after the kids? He is trying to steal your thunder ; )

Good luck and let us know if you get one.

oh yeah, insurance rates suck! I pay more in insurance than I do for the car, but I'm 23 with a spotfull driving record...

Oddly enough, S2000's theft rate is relatively low. As with most sports cars. Contrary to popular belief, an s2000 is less likely to be stolen than your mom's family sedan. Some thieves are even intimidated by the thought of stealing something more "high-tech" than your average car. Likely such an expensive car, an s2000, will have at least some sort of above average anti-theft system.

And sadly still, if someone really wants it, they'll get it.

Haha your husband sounds like my soon to be wife, I was looking into getting an BMW soon and decided that it was either going to be an 2002+M3 or a M roadster ( basically BMW's S2000 excpet alot faster). Well I found a M roadster that I absolutely fell in love with and she freaked out and was like that is not pratical etc. I know what you are going through with your husband LOL. Now I guess I will have to wait until next year and get the M3.

But if you think you can get ot without any problems between you and your husband I say go for it, get what you really want. You will be happy with it I am sure, just don't leave anything of value in plain sight while not in the car.

One site I found on the Internet says that this car is in the top 10 of stolen cars... Yuk...

Also, maybe the yellow then is not such a good idea, if you all think that a car should not stand out...

My husband will let me get the car, there is just a lot of "discussion" over this... He is a nice guy, but just very concerned over the above issues. I would like some input from owners who have driven it, if possible. Do you always keep them in the garage, or have you had special features added to it to help avoid the possiblity of theft?

I cannot find anything anywhere about upgrading the alarm system, which was mentioned on one site. Is there anything else that would help?

Also, there is a dealer in our area who has a new yellow 2004 with the Lo Jack system already installed. I don't think there is a lot of savings on 2004's, but there is some... Any comments on getting one from last year as opposed to a 2005. Good idea or bad? I know nothing at all about this Lo Jack system... I know it is extra to have it put on, but have no idea if you have to pay for it monthly, annually or not at all...

Also, I saw a large number of these cars for sale for some reason on one website... I don't understand this. One dealer in my area has one on his lot that is 6 months old (2004). I asked why the person had traded it and was told she got tired of shifting... I think that is stupid!!! Can you believe this???

scarlett

Also, maybe the yellow then is not such a good idea, if you all think that a car should not stand out...


Yellow IS a good idea, you DO want it to stand out.

I agree with SiGNAL. If you are interested in the six month old one ask the dealership for the previous owners number so you can call them and ask why they traded it in. If they won't give you the number then i would be suspicious, otherwise jump on it.

I have an S2K and honestly, I don't do anything extra to protect it than my other cars. For instance I just went out shopping with my wife, parked the car, unlocked and top down, left it for an hour. Granted I don't leave anything in the cabin of the car that someone would want to snatch out of it. I garage it every night, and try to park it in the open. My personal belief is that locks only keep honest people out. if someone wants to get your car they will.

here is a link to the NHTSA. For a 2000 S2K 9206 were made and only 5 thefts have been reported to them.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/theft/theftsearch3.cfm

In 2001 23 were stolen out of 9945, Ranking the S2000 the 108th most stolen vehicle.

Granted, the S2000 rates high in sports car thefts, their overall theft rate is very low compared to most vehicles. I believe your worries are unfounded.

Good luck.

LoJack...awesome system. If someone steals your car, the police can activate the LoJack (as opposed to "hijack"...little play on words, I suppose) and (hopefully) find your car before too much/any damage has been done. I've heard of car recoveries done before ANYTHING happened to the car...and I've heard of police finding a frame...so, of course, there isn't anything that's going to work 100% of the time.

As mentioned above, if someone wants in your car or wants to take your car, they will. That's pretty much all there is to it.

Very cool cars...get one...if you know what you're getting into, you'll love it. It is a bit of a...um..."to the point" sports car. It's not real "kind" or "fancy", so I've read. Eg...it's not an ideal daily driver, but it would be alright...the ride isn't great, but it's not bad (and most importantly, the performance is there)...and it is a bit of a unique sports car due to how you have to be quite rough with it to get it to REALLY move. By "quite rough", I mean you have to rev the SHIT out of it...you can't be afraid you're going to break it. They're very good cars with good engines...you won't hurt it...wind it out!

is your husband not a man?? i mean what guy wouldn't want an S2000, seriously...haha

A lot of the Miata guys intentionally leave their doors unlocked and with nothing of value inside the car so that thieves will not cut their tops.

You can also buy a hardtop for an S2000 for $3k. It will be better in cold weather, possibly have a rear
defroster, and offer better security than a soft top.

People often trade in sports cars b/c of boredom and wanting to be the first on their block with the "latest and greatest." I talked to a lady here who said she has to sell here car b/c of her new grandkid - the passenger side airbag in an S2k does not have a shut off switch.

I'd say go for the S2000 if you don't mind the engine noise, shifting, or meager storage b/c besides that there are no downsides price aside. If you have never owned a convertible then this goes double for you.

A lot of the Miata guys intentionally leave their doors unlocked and with nothing of value inside the car so that thieves will not cut their tops.

You can also buy a hardtop for an S2000 for $3k. It will be better in cold weather, possibly have a rear
defroster, and offer better security than a soft top.

People often trade in sports cars b/c of boredom and wanting to be the first on their block with the "latest and greatest." I talked to a lady here who said she has to sell here car b/c of her new grandkid - the passenger side airbag in an S2k does not have a shut off switch.

I'd say go for the S2000 if you don't mind the engine noise, shifting, or meager storage b/c besides that there are no downsides price aside. If you have never owned a convertible then this goes double for you.

Crap. If you want to spend that much money on a car buy something a little more practical. Like a 350z. That should be a good comprimise ( spelling? ) Now i love s2000 but lets face it. They just are not worth the sticker price. If you wanna spend 40,000 on a sports car get the new mustang gt. Good performance and more practical. If you really really want performance go with a vette. Just a practical as a s2k but with more power and style.