Theft of Hardtop - What's Next?

[★ revlimiter ★]

I could easily print up a bunch of stickers. My vinyl printer is begging for more jobs to run through it. That's a pretty good idea. I'll throw it on the front burner!

And your strategy is exactly my own. I've got 3 types of tamper proof fasteners holding my Beatrush latches in place. I sell the square nuts. Another is a pretty common security fastener. And I won't sell the last because it's just for me.

[NCGreasemonkey]

That is why multi layer.

What you sell deters. The T-40T G-star sells deters. But you have to have that one thing no one knows of to keep your top yours!

Thanks for tossing that idea to the front! I'll be in for them and your fasteners at the same time if my roof isn't over-budget for the home.

If it ain't one thing it's three others.

I also need to hit you up for a set of center medallions for the Hypergrams I got. The center emblem looks to be about 30mm rather than the 25-ish on the Dial-ins. Send you measurements soon.

[mx54life]

Just wondering if we could plant in the HT the same chips they use in our puppies so we can track down these low lifers.

I know I will be paranoid when I start using my HT.

[NCGreasemonkey]

Just wondering if we could plant in the HT the same chips they use in our puppies so we can track down these low lifers.

I know I will be paranoid when I start using my HT.

I'm going to the vet this week-end. They are doing a free Chip-event. My top will be chipped! LOL

[mx54life]

I'm going to the vet this week-end. They are doing a free Chip-event. My top will be chipped! LOL

Lol maybe cheaper than a lojack.

We need to track these HT's they are being recycled in the stolen market. They are being sold the same way they were stolen I heard.

[—tsingson—]

The downside is that you can still unbolt the whole Beatrush latch from the HT, even with a lock through the hole. You need some security hardware to attach the latch to both the top and body.

I had thought about rounding the bolts off on it. But staying out of CA helps out a lot.

[— freedomgli —]

We need to track these HT's they are being recycled in the stolen market. They are being sold the same way they were stolen I heard.

In the UK violent crime is much lower but they seem to have much higher instances of petty crimes including theft. Everything from motorcycles to wheels to cars are at risk even with a garage and high-security locking hardware on doors, tie down posts, etc.

One thing that is popular there is to apply microdot security labels to everything of value. The police there know to look for them with UV light when they recover stolen property. It's the only real way (short of engraving) to confirm ownership of recovered property.

http://www.micro-tag.com/products_microdot.asp

[lazykuma]

One way to reduce the theft in the U.S. Is to lower the cost. You can purchase a used hard top in Japan for $300. The prices in the UK are also a lot cheaper than the U.S.. High price item is a target to be stolen.

[—tsingson—]

Shipping would be pretty bad and then you risk damage as well. Most people would just front the money for one from here.

[lazykuma]

You missed my point. If we lower the cost in the U.S. then the hardtop would not be a target. In my opinion, the prices we ask for a hardtop is waaaaay too high. Check the prices of other cars in the U.S.. You can buy a Porsche hardtop for less money than a Miata.

[—tsingson—]

I have seen the S2000 hardtops go for over 2k. Z4 hardtops go for at least $1500 used. And I am trying to find where the Porsche hardtops are less than the Miatas. OEM mind you. It's all about supply and demand. As long as someone is willing to pay the money for it, it will go for that price. You think that if people start asking for $300 for a hardtop, it won't get stolen. The bids will go up. This guy will give you $400 for it. Then this guy will give you $600. OEM hardtops for Miatas are quality pieces and they will always get that premium. Is it expensive? Yes. Will someone buy it for that price? Yes. I understand what you are trying to say but that won't stop them from getting stolen.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Lived in SOCAL and hardtop thefts there are pretty common. RFID chips, engravings, security hardware, locks are all a few ideas that are suggested. Garage Star is in Sacramento and can help you out. If you talk to Jon B, tell him I said hello!

Other than that, letting the local Miata FB pages know your top was stolen is key. As for insurance, I made sure my coverage included the hardtop, and I think it carries a separate rider on the coverage so if it was stolen, the car wouldn't be totaled, but the money would be provided to help me replace it. IIRC, I told them the value of the top was about $2k.

I use spec miata brackets to secure my top. Thieves don't want to spend anymore time in the car than they have to. The OEM brackets make it possible to steal the top in about a minute or two. Brackets and nolts, they will need at least 10-15 minutes to get it off, if they even know the bolt size or have the special wrench.

[— Phatmiata —]

Kenjo from GarageStar can sell you some security fasteners

[roadsternut]

Jass does inexpensive brackets; install with standard Torx bolts

[snake520]

Just to say, my HT was stolen with those "security" torx bits so you need to be better than that