By Jen Dunnaway

Editor

The other night when I was out walking I was amused to come across an old junk Camry with a Club on the steering wheel. Ah, Seattle. But wait—that Camry owner apparently has the right idea. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's "Hot Wheels 2008" report realeased today, this very ride was in the top ten list of most frequently stolen vehicles, as were a bunch of other 10 and even 20-year-old cars and trucks. So why would theives target, for example, an early-90's Accord or Civic over newer, pricier rides? According to Forbes, it comes down to simple math. Older cars that there are still tons of on the road drive demand for replacement parts, and that's what the cars targeted normally get stolen for. Even better, cars whose parts are interchangeable with other models are even more desirable to theives. Hot spots for vehicle theft include states in the Southwest and West Coast, so if you live in the region and drive an older car, you might consider doing something to protect it. I'd guess that the good old-fashioned kill switch is a heck of a lot more confounding to theives than the obnoxious car alarms that anyone who lives in a populated neighborhood is by now totally immune to. How about you? Any anti-theft measures in place? Check out the list of last year's most-stolen vehicles below the jump.

1. 1995 Honda Civic

2. 1991 Honda Accord

3. 1989 Toyota Camry

4. 1997 Ford F-150

5. 1994 Chevy C/K 1500 Pickup

6. 1994 Acura Integra

7. 2004 Dodge Ram pickup

8. 1994 Nissan Sentra

9. 1988 Toyota pickup

10. 2007 Toyota Corolla

Comments

jas
Jul 10, 2008 1:53:17 PM

in my city my 1993 accord was on the top 10 stolen list at #3 this year,so i have a $300 immonolizer,2 way alarm,sterreing lock. So im preety safe.

Jul 10, 2008 9:14:13 AM

a ford fiesta (festiva? - 1980s version, old old, rare extincted)recently had a window broken right outside my place. little tiny wheels, childish limish green color..I thought attempted thieving right away. How was the owner gonna find a window for this extinct buggy? Anyway, it turned out to be a weed wacker accident, the fish bowl glass couldn't take it. Seriously..someone would be interested in the 45mpg get away, I am certain of it.BTW the car did have replacement glass, and fixed.If an old sube could be so lucky...

kap0w
Jul 10, 2008 8:20:51 AM

I remember the list a few years back. It was almost entirely made up of Integras, Civics, and Camrys. Since there is no new Integra (RSX doesn't count) and the new Civics and Camrys undoubtedly both have immobilizers in the keys, I bet it's far easier to keep stealing the old cars.

Jul 9, 2008 8:20:10 PM

thats a nice looking honda its not overdone and ricey

cknarf
Jul 9, 2008 6:34:22 PM

Try jacking it up and put something under car to keep the drive wheels off the ground so when they try to take off, they just spin. They'll be all like WTF!?

Stewart
Jul 9, 2008 6:16:25 PM

Having had a car stolen, and stripped, I can tell you, it sucks :(
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Now I have anti-theft measures in place.
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I like to use multiple / different types.
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Some visible, and some not visible.
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It's a bit of a PITA at times, but it's worth it to keep one's car.
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If only Trunk Monkeys were real! ;)