PSA: Classic Holden/HSVs being stolen daily using this cheap eBay tool

[Aussie Falcon]

If you drive a late model Holden or HSV, you need to stop driving immediately and watch this video.
Thieves are targeting some of Australia's most classic machinery with a tool from eBay.
Your car is gone within minutes, but there is something you can do to stop them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxzFCm5gyak

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...heap-ebay-tool

[Fordman1]

I have a steering lock on my car

[prktkljokr]

It sucks that these pieces of $#it get away with this so often, its not just HSV's, its anything they know is worth $$$

Mate just had his GTS stolen a few weeks back, they just gained access to his house and took the key from his bedside table while he was sleeping, the first he knew was when he heard it start and the roller door going up, by then it was too late, he just watched them taking off down the street.

The more you put in their way the more they will do to get it, they will rather pick off the easy ones, but if yours is the one they are looking at they will try anything.

[Fatbob103]

They are lifting anything that is a VF down here in Melbourne....

[smoo]

Insurance policy for my VF2 SSV came up for renewal last month.
Was at AAMI market value for $1550/year. They tried to up this coming year to $2600. Can’t say I’ve had an insurance co try and pull a premium increase like that for anything else I’ve owned.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by prktkljokr

It sucks that these pieces of $#it get away with this so often, its not just HSV's, its anything they know is worth $$$

Mate just had his GTS stolen a few weeks back, they just gained access to his house and took the key from his bedside table while he was sleeping, the first he knew was when he heard it start and the roller door going up, by then it was too late, he just watched them taking off down the street.

The more you put in their way the more they will do to get it, they will rather pick off the easy ones, but if yours is the one they are looking at they will try anything.

My keys are by the front door,

If they want my cars, then take them, I don't want some flog armed with a machete coming into the house ****ed off because they can't find car keys

There's a stripped HSV sitting in the street at work, no engine, no diff, no wheels, just some panels, sitting on its guts, Victoria Police came and put a defective vehicle sticker on it

There's obviously a market for the parts, and the low level thefts they'd be using the cars for organised crime, think Melbourne's tobacco war that's ongoing at the moment

Go drive around Fawkner and Campbellfield, there's stolen and stripped cars dumped everywhere

[whynot]

Car stealing is so bad in Cairns, Townsville, and Mt Isa that in December 22 the previous ALP State Government put aside $10M for the installation of 20,000 engine immobilisers as part of a study trial. One had to be in certain suburbs.

The scheme is now closed.

https://www.police.qld.gov.au/initia...-subsidy-trial

Residents in the trial locations (Cairns, Townsville and Mt Isa) will be able to apply online for a $500 voucher towards the supply and installation of an engine immobiliser. The customers will present the voucher to a service provider who has been registered and approved as part of this trial.

Just for those thinking about fitting an immobiliser, below is the list approved by Qld Police for the trial.

Current approved devices include:

• CODE SAFE keypad engine immobiliser
• RhinoCo Immobiliser with Keypad Model No. IM007
• RhinoCo Car immobiliser with wireless keypad Model No. RAKP (must use wireless keypad not fobs)
• StarterStopper Classic
• StarterStopper Alarm
• Dynamco Cyclops P275PIN
• Trackn RE147 Remote engine immobiliser (Note additional cost for annual subscription)
• Trackn KP – 424 Keypad Immobiliser (Note additional cost for annual subscription)
• Ghost Can bus Imobiliser
• My Buddy Gard Car Tracker (Must use black wire version, with auto setting vehicle immobilisation)
• Netstar ZX40KPW
• Tracktech Model No MK295-419

Surely, part of the (admittily very complex) problem is that the Government itself is allowing open querying of VIN numbers via a rego check. If you don't know the VIN number, it makes it just that little bit harder to get keys cut, resulting in more advanced methods required.

[simon varley]

immobilizer doesn't work if they break in to the house and steal the keys and fob. that's the easy way to nick a car these days.

good old fashioned steering lock with the key kept somewhere separate is the answer, but if they want it bad enough they'll lift it onto a trayback in the street :(

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by simon varley

immobilizer doesn't work if they break in to the house and steal the keys and fob. that's the easy way to nick a car these days.

good old fashioned steering lock with the key kept somewhere separate is the answer, but if they want it bad enough they'll lift it onto a trayback in the street :(

I've got the Ghost 2 in my VF2 Redline, have had it for a few years. Thing wont start, keys or not, without the "code". With this system there is no keypad, but you need to hit a personalised sequence of existing buttons (which I chose) before it will start at all.

Obviously nothing is fool proof, if they are desperate they could bring a tow truck I suppose but I've done everything I can to keep it safe.. It lives in a garage at all times. Garage has B & D Motor with Auto Lock which when closed slides 2 steel pins into the tracks to even if they disconnect the motor the door wont go up. My house has camera's and an alarm. It doesn't get parked at shopping centres, etc.. that's what my daily is for. When I use it, its to bring to work (where we have 24/7 security and gates) or for a cruise/events/drive through the hinterland where I'm with it.

When push comes to shove, nothing is ever 100% fool proof, I've just made it as hard as possible and, if the worst does happen, I'm well insured with regards to $$$.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

I've got the Ghost 2 in my VF2 Redline, have had it for a few years. Thing wont start, keys or not, without the "code". With this system there is no keypad, but you need to hit a personalised sequence of existing buttons (which I chose) before it will start at all.

Obviously nothing is fool proof, if they are desperate they could bring a tow truck I suppose but I've done everything I can to keep it safe.. It lives in a garage at all times. Garage has B & D Motor with Auto Lock which when closed slides 2 steel pins into the tracks to even if they disconnect the motor the door wont go up. My house has camera's and an alarm. It doesn't get parked at shopping centres, etc.. that's what my daily is for. When I use it, its to bring to work (where we have 24/7 security and gates) or for a cruise/events/drive through the hinterland where I'm with it.

When push comes to shove, nothing is ever 100% fool proof, I've just made it as hard as possible and, if the worst does happen, I'm well insured with regards to $$$.

What do you do if you need to put it into a shop for tyres etc.
Can you disable that so it starts as normal or give them the sequence (and need to change it afterwards if that paranoid?).

[whynot]

Originally Posted by simon varley

immobilizer doesn't work if they break in to the house and steal the keys and fob. that's the easy way to nick a car these days.

good old fashioned steering lock with the key kept somewhere separate is the answer, but if they want it bad enough they'll lift it onto a trayback in the street :(

Agree. Leaving car keys in an open and accessible place doesn't help.

Steering wheel locks have their place. Unfortunately, these days a battery powered cutoff tool makes short work of it. But, on the flip side, a steering wheel lock for the more unsophisticated joy riders or cyber hacking kiddies might be enough to discourage them.

The answer is a customised Defence in Depth approach, and not relying on just one mechanism. Easy enough to say, but hard to do.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by whynot

The answer is a customised Defence in Depth approach, and not relying on just one mechanism. Easy enough to say, but hard to do.

The “answer” is public caning for first offence and cut their hands off for subsequent offences!
No more softly softly, it’s a damn disgrace

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by smoo

What do you do if you need to put it into a shop for tyres etc.
Can you disable that so it starts as normal or give them the sequence (and need to change it afterwards if that paranoid?).

There are ways, but its not been an issue for me thus far. Im lucky enough to have a close friend who owns a workshop franchise that does mechanical and tyres. He does all the work (performance stuff being the exception) for servicing/etc. He knows the "Code" and generally when it needs work he takes my car for the day. He's been a mate for 25 years so I'm not worried about him having the code.

[Falcon SXR8]

We have bad car theft out my way, they don't worry about anything fancy just break into your house and flog the keys, at knife point if need be. I run my own "immobilizer" setup on my vehicles so they won't start even with the keys.

[Falcon SXR8]

Similar video from ross reviews. Insane the amount of crime a person can commit and still be on the streets. The laws in this country are completely stuffed

https://youtu.be/cB2BCAxzSlk?si=LTw6neT3K4kBQcz8

[nibble]

Seems to be a lot of organised crime going on. From drugs, to tobacco to car thefts etc.. Seems to be a losing battle. Are the police complicit?? Are they powerless, undermanned? Is there deep rooted corruption in our system?

[XR Martin]

A manual gearbox is the best prevention.

[Franco Cozzo]

One has to wonder what the issue with is with GM vehicles that this is happening to the VF Commodore,

Does this work on other GM vehicles?

[EBSXR6]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

One has to wonder what the issue with is with GM vehicles that this is happening to the VF Commodore,

Does this work on other GM vehicles?

I would say it would work with other GM vehicles.
I could not see the bean counters at GMH allowing them to develop a proprietary system when they could source something from GM.

I have seen videos from the UK of similar techniques being used to steal newer upmarket Land and Range Rovers which are the most stolen vehicles in the U.K.
It is very hard to get Insurance and if you do get insurance the Premiums are astronomical even if you are classified as the lowest risk.
Some companies will not Insure these models.
In the UK 3rd Party Insurance is a minimum Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you’re covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.
In the UK is Drivers have to be nominated on the Policy.
So if the Old Bill does a traffic stop and the driver is not named on the Policy the driver could be charged with driving an uninsured vehicle.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by EBSXR6

I would say it would work with other GM vehicles.
I could not see the bean counters at GMH allowing them to develop a proprietary system when they could source something from GM.

I have seen videos from the UK of similar techniques being used to steal newer upmarket Land and Range Rovers which are the most stolen vehicles in the U.K.
It is very hard to get Insurance and if you do get insurance the Premiums are astronomical even if you are classified as the lowest risk.
Some companies will not Insure these models.
In the UK 3rd Party Insurance is a minimum Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you’re covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.
In the UK is Drivers have to be nominated on the Policy.
So if the Old Bill does a traffic stop and the driver is not named on the Policy the driver could be charged with driving an uninsured vehicle.

Silverado would be a decent ram-raid vehicle

[EBSXR6]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Silverado would be a decent ram-raid vehicle

Silverado is in the top 3 stolen vehicles in Uncle Sam.
From what I read the methods sound very similar to what is used to steal the Commodores.

[XR Martin]

I imagine this electronic spoofing is harder on vehicles with a normal key? Our Falcons should be relatively safe in comparison?
(I never liked those transponder keys anyway)

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by Aussie Falcon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxzFCm5gyakhttps://www.carexpert.com.au/car-new...heap-ebay-tool

My brother had his VF SSV redline stolen from the front of the house while he was inside. Occurred day before father's day this year. Still not found. The Richardhead purchased another one.

[Rallye Sport]

Pfft HSV's, the bloke down the road uses a Senator to park in his Lamborghini, the wheels come off and it goes up on jackstands presumably if he's leaving the Lambo for any length of time.
One of the same methods I employ but I've only got an old Corolla to do it with.
Different pay grades I guess

[CyberWasp]

Install the latest CCTV Cameras with AI and Active Deterrence Feature.
You can set up invisible trip wires on your property and turned on / off when needed.
Trip wires can be directional as in it is only triggered from one side to the other.
Example from the street down your driveway.
AI eliminates false alarms example animals, wind moving things.
Active Deterrence activates bright LED and Flashing Red / Blue Lights.
You can play any message or sound or siren at that point.
You are now recording in colour at night.
When set off, the idiots usually look up to see what the hell is going on and bingo, face is staring at Camera. Picks up all their Tats as well if they are that stupid.

Option 2 make the system silent.
System alerts you inside and out you go and introduce them to Mr Baseball Bat.
Just remember to erase footage when you play tee ball with their heads.

Option 3. Wireless Reid Switches from House Alarm System can be placed on your car doors in some circumstances. They would be programmed to be a perimeter zone and armed at night with the House Alarm if parked in range.
Same outcome as option 2 as in a silent alarm inside warns you that someone has opened the door on the car.
Having watched the Big Bash earlier in the evening you go outside and introduce them to Mr Cricket Bat try to hit a Six off a Straight Drive using their heads as Ball.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

System alerts you inside and out you go and introduce them to Mr Baseball Bat.

Go visit your local Magistrates or County Court on a hearing day, and then watch all the ones with the single mother and no father figure, the 'mental health' or the 'poor first gen migrant' cards that get put in play for all these filth and the magistrate/judge take pity on them and let them off to go commit the same crimes again.

The more upstanding or 'normal' you are when you stand in front of magistrates or judges, the worse outcome it will be for you when they make judgements against you, so you don't want to be standing in front of them for beating someone trying to steal your shit because the magistrate/judge is going to take a very dim view of you defending yourself or your property against some third world filth that we let in from some country that used to be an Italian or French colony

If you want to put a stop to all this shit going on, bring back a particular controversial migration policy that ended in the 1970s, or send these people for further education, invest in education facilities to help these people, ones where work sets you free.

[Sprintey]

I was most disturbed at the end of Paul Maric's video when he said that they were even stealing the V6 SIDI VF's. The lows that criminals have stooped to...

[Sprintey]

Practical Joker and Franco & others mentioned that the more you put in to defend something, if they are determined, they'll just amplify the effort to steal it. This is true.

My first job was in a bank and got armed holdup, got taken hostage and my Kinga was the bandit's chosen escape vehicle. In the months that followed, bank greatly ramped up security.

The next armed holdup, lucky for me I got sent to another branch that day, the guys were just way more violent getting past the defences... majorly traumatised my friends on the staff there.

Incidentally, on my day, said Kingswood had magnetic kill switch fitted by previous owner - damn hard to locate on the lower dash. I'm sitting there trying to get it to 'click' so the car will go with a bandit standing next to me pointing a gun at me... One of those days you want the car to start smoothly first go...

[Sprintey]

Oh yeah there was a long time my Dad got laughed at for having the club lock on the steering wheel on his base model VY, those same people aren't laughing so much any more...

[smoo]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

I was most disturbed at the end of Paul Maric's video when he said that they were even stealing the V6 SIDI VF's. The lows that criminals have stooped to...

Just as long as they don’t proceed to another crime worthy of facing a firing squad. Fitting an exhaust to an alloytec.