Golf GTI - Robbers car of choice now?

[pologti18t]

http://www.smh.com.au/national/chaos-across-southern-sydney-after-police-chase-20100111-m0wa.html

[CatonaPC©]

I doubt it. More like a case of most conveniently located car to carjack.

One of the reasons why I have mine set to autolock after moving off.

Would be nice to have some feature like a combination of presses of buttons on the steering wheel that would immobilise a car after a few metres after it is carjacked.

[Maverick]

I doubt it. More like a case of most conveniently located car to carjack.

I get the impression from the poorly written article that the GTI was used throughout the robbery and they car jacked the pulsar. They may have taken the GTI in that manner originally however.

GTI's are very popular in the UK for getaway cars because they handle so well, can carry five criminals in comfort, good headroom if they're wearing masks or beanies and they go like stink. Often the pursuits get called off and they're the top car taken in some of the areas over there.

Criminals here are a bit thicker and take a commodore or falcon and end up oversteering and crashing.

One of the reasons why I have mine set to autolock after moving off.

I've fitted auto locking to all my cars since the mid 90's for that reason, both our cars have it and there is no way I'd drive around without it.

Would be nice to have some feature like a combination of presses of buttons on the steering wheel that would immobilise a car after a few metres after it is carjacked.

Be nice if APR would add that, you could put the car in valet mode if you were quick but there might be other things on your mind but it would be nice to be able to hold down say the two cruise buttons for two seconds and flick the on/off switch to activate a power reduction for say 500m before the engine stops.

[doink]

Article doesn't say that the GTI was car jacked. I didn't think you could start the mkV golf without the correct key and RF ID chip?

[Maverick]

Article doesn't say that the GTI was car jacked. I didn't think you could start the mkV golf without the correct key and RF ID chip?

Home invasion or car jacking are the only ways to obtain the keys for the car. Without them you can't start it.

[flyingcarhands]

Home invasion or car jacking are the only ways to obtain the keys for the car. Without them you can't start it.

How about a big gun?

[gregozedobe]

Home invasion or car jacking are the only ways to obtain the keys for the car. Without them you can't start it.

Or burgle the house when no one is home, find the remote and away you go. Apparantly thats what a lot of UK car thieves do these days, as security is getting too good on modern cars.

It's interesting the way the immobiliser will allow the engine to start, then after 2 seconds it cuts out. I suppose doing it that way allows you to eliminate the immobiliser when trying to diagnose an engine that won't start.

[Nathan_B]

wrx were the cars in the late 90's

[BTJ]

How bout the build quality on the golf but? the crims escaped unscathed!

You should be able to turn your airbags off in panic mode when you are being carjacked!

[Umai Naa!!]

I often wondererd how a mate's B5 Passat got nicked, and dumped upside-down in a dam. Turns out they pick-pocketed the keys and walked around the shopping centre carpark until they found a VW that opened.

Also, I find a lot of customers want the auto-locking turned off. One woman, after I suggested a few reasons as to why she should keep it, kicked up the biggest stink over it, threatening to 'have my job', and write letters to VW...

[G-rig]

Home invasion or car jacking are the only ways to obtain the keys for the car. Without them you can't start it.

Yeah it's impossible to start without the key.

Another reason APR anti-theft is a good feature, even with the key the crims wouldnt be able to drive it.

If you're quick you could arm this before the car get jacked and next time they stop they will be stuck there.

[Maverick]

Also, I find a lot of customers want the auto-locking turned off. One woman, after I suggested a few reasons as to why she should keep it, kicked up the biggest stink over it, threatening to 'have my job', and write letters to VW...

Dumb people, a few weeks back I saw a (possible attempted car jacking but most likely robbery) were an aboriginal ran up to a van stopped to let traffic go and pulled open the door and punched the crap out of the female in the passenger seat. Her husband goes out her door and another aboriginal pulled a knife on him. They were fortunate to be able to drive away.

My Uncles business partner was stopped at the lights near the CBD in Sydney about 7-8 years ago (maybe a bit longer) and an aboriginal opened the passenger door, punched her repeatedly in the face and ran off with her purse.

I know others that have had similar attacks and auto locking is on all my cars and has been since the early 90's.

As for your customer I'd turn it off and wait for her to come back with her face caved in and asking you to turn it back on (and probably sue you because people like that are dumb when it comes to personal safety and accepting responsibility - which is good for the rest of us as they're the easy targets!).

[G-rig]

Dumb people, a few weeks back I saw a (possible attempted car jacking but most likely robbery) were an aboriginal ran up to a van stopped to let traffic go and pulled open the door and punched the crap out of the female in the passenger seat. Her husband goes out her door and another aboriginal pulled a knife on him. They were fortunate to be able to drive away.

That sounds like any given night in fortitude valley.. the auto lock is a good feature so may as well use it!

Ps should tell the customer to get over it and RTFM, she can change it herself on the MFD.

[Umai Naa!!]

I'm hearing you, Mav. I honestly could not see what the problem was. It's not like an inconvenience, or anything.

[triode12]

That sounds like any given night in fortitude valley.. the auto lock is a good feature so may as well use it!

Ps should tell the customer to get over it and RTFM, she can change it herself on the MFD.

Good grief! Has the valley deteriorated so much since 2001?