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Comment by asveikau | Hacker News Reader

I don't know anything about the trade of stolen vehicles and the people who do it, but i imagine advertising that will let smart thieves and chop shop types know what to look for and quickly remove.

From that perspective it's probably better for people to not know you have lojack, conceal it, and make them work harder to check for it.

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The function of the sticker is to make the thief look for an easier target.

Might work for opportunistic thieves, but not for modern steal-to-order gangs.

>but not for modern steal-to-order gangs

Then get a second hand Shit-Box 2000 like I do. Nobody will ever steal it, as no self respecting thief will want to be seen driving that, and it costs me less to buy and own.

Win-win I'd say.

I'm struggling to understand why people who aren't Bezos wealthy buy expensive cars. The depreciation is insane and you're always anxious someone will steal it or ding it in a parking lot. But then if people weren't frivolous with their money, half of us wouldn't have jobs ;)

Used cars are actually much more likely to be stolen, especially if lack modern features like chip keys, immobilizers, and GPS tracking services. In US cities, the most stolen cars are all 15-20+ year old models. If you buy a new Toyota for instance, you don’t need an AirTag because it comes with location tracking services built in.

https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/most-stolen-cars/

https://wblk.com/most-stolen-vehicles-ny/

Just because most stolen cars are used, that does not necessarily mean that a used car is more likely to be stolen than a new car. You've got to consider the base rate, otherwise, you're committing the base rate fallacy. Since most cars are used, of course it's not surprising or meaningful that most stolen cars are used.

It doesn't take comprehensive statistical analysis to conclude that a brand new car that comes with an electronic immobilizer, alarm system, and remote GPS-based location monitoring is less likely to be stolen than your 1999 Honda Accord, 2001 Subaru Forester, or 2020 Kia Soul that comes with none of those features. The advice to buy a used car to avoid theft is demonstrably stupid.

It ain't about $$$ value. Your shitbox could* be stolen if at any point that platform or it's parts become desirable for any context whatsoever.

for example, the fabled acura integra. While not cheap, it's certainly not going to make a thief rich. At the end of the day it's a vtec honda civic with 2 doors and standard transmission.(I'd argue that a 97 Acura Integra IS your definition of a shitbox.)

Because of that desirable engine, they are still the most GTA vehicle in US.

I suspect people at multiple points on the 'car cost ladder' look at everyone who has perched higher up on it with that same level of bafflement.

I have purchased a couple new cars in my life, but in the sub-$35k range. While, looking at the amount a payment would be on an $80,000 car, I'm aware I could definitely afford it -- especially at that 6-7 year term that is so popular now -- it is wild to me that anyone would derive enough marginal utility to justify the cost. I'll take my car plus a briefcase full of money over a Mercedes, thanks.

It's possible though that the person with that $80k car also thinks they're quite rational and only the person with the $150,000 car is a lunatic.

Or just put the sticker on it but not have the actual thing in there so they can't find it?

Your alignment is 'Chaotic neutral'

"Warning: Small active tracker device hidden somewhere in the car. Good luck!"

thieves spend 3 hours literally tearing the car apart and then give up but your car is ruined anyway

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