Now that I have a bunch of upgrades, I've been thinking about installing Lojack in my car. Anyone have any input or stories? Thanks!

 

I had LoJack installed in my car the day it arrived in the US. The install was very tidy and the service very professional. I highly recommend this (no affiliation, naturally).

 

There is also a thread on the 996 board discussing Lojack....

 

well, I had lojack in my former Z3 Roadster...

It was my first and last experience with LoJack..

Yes, the install was done very well.. BUT why I'll never spend that money again????


1) you have to pay a $40 service fee for resetting Lo-Jack whenever the battery is disconnected for ANY reason! (and usually also have to replace the lojack backup battery in the process...)

2) LoJack is useless in many MANY areas... take a look at all the 'dead' zones.. NOT very reassuring

3) Every 2 years is required maintenance to look it over (minimim $40 fee) and every 4 to 5 years requires a battery replacment.


4) You have too keep renewing the 'membership' status along with maintenance



...in the end, it all seemed like a big money making scam to me...


but that could just me my personal viewpoint!

BTW: Their gaurantee... look VERY closely.. they only pay your insurance deductable up to $1500.. DOH!!!!

 

That is a very interesting story, no one has ever asked me to renew anything nor do any maintenance fee. The dealer put it all in...maybe they were scamming me...???

 

Lo Jack

You may want to give Lo Jack a call, Kary and others. Personally, I believe an OnStar type of system (The OEM for OnStar sells a unit) may be a better solution with its connection to a GPS, with a secret cell phone installed, as well as the ability to program in an "electronic fence", and remote disabling of the vehicle, with the cops talking to the On Star people. La Jolla Audio in San Diego was selling such a system. The info below is Q&A from Lojack:
__________________________________________

How do I know if my LoJack is working?
Your LoJack is tested and certified at the time of installation. We then recommend an inspection of your LoJack every two years. Inspections cost $69* and can be arranged by calling 1-800-4-LOJACK (1-800-456-5225).

*Pricing is subject to change without notice.

What do I do if I believe my LoJack requires service?
Call us at 1-800-4-LOJACK (1-800-456-5225) to schedule an inspection of your LoJack - or to talk to a Customer Service Representative who can answer any questions you may have. For faster assistance, please make sure you have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) at the time of the call. Your VIN number is located on your LoJack I.D. card or your vehicle registration.

Does my car need to be running for LoJack to work?
No. The LoJack unit constantly draws a very small amount of power from your vehicle's battery. Should your battery be disconnected, LoJack's back up battery will provide power.

 

Not really worth it to me anymore since I rarely drive it on the street and when I do I do not leave it much (of ocurse it does not take long to steal one), but hey, we all take risks!

Insurance company's give you money off if you have lojack, but they never check to see if they are working....that will be the next thing for insurance company's!!!

 

Thank you all for your input.. still lots to consider since they now have a early warning system in which they will notify you when the car has been moved.

Martin,
My GMC Envoy I bought last year came with the OnStar and I also purchased the full subscription including map, direction reservation, cell phone, etc feature. I must tell you, soley based on my experience, that it's a total POS and total waste of money! Half the time, the GPS didn't work and when it did, it often took over 5 minutes to connect to their operator..that's IF I can connect...and no, I was not in some canyon. They found multiple problems with my unit, it took them 6 attempts to fix it and still worked like a POS. So, IMHO, it's a POS as well as their service... but that's just my sole opinion. =)

 

I found this out is a chat I had with La Jolla Audio today. They sell a system called Global Guard. It has an electronic fence...if your car goes 1 foot out of the miles allowed, the monitoring station is notified. These miles can be as low as 10 feet...let's say someone eases your car on to a flatbed. The flatbed drives away, and you car's position is tracked by GPS reported to the On Guard Monitoring Station. You can also track your car from a PC over the internet. Let's say your girfriend borrows your car to impress her other boyfriend in a town nearby...oh lordy, do I want to know this? < Just another feeble attempt at humor, sorry I couldn't help myself.

Global Guard also allows you to disable the starter remotely...this type of protection is not cheap, about $1,300 with all the bells and whistles. For some, and the peace of mind, it is worth the cost. If you want more info La Jolla Audio is in San Diego @858 581 6545. Tell them you read about them on Rennlist.

Lo Jack also has some new features, one being a key fob that the owner must have with them when the car is started. No key fob, the Lo Jack starts alarming. This is much better than the old Lo Jack where it would not go off until you called the Police.

I had better be OUT, time to get ready for the weekend, blowing out early!"

 

I had Lojack installed on my car but never activated it. I kept thinking that I might not want to find my car if some thieves got hold of it. The old expression "drive it like you stole it" might apply here.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ceboyd
[B]well, I had lojack in my former Z3 Roadster...


1) you have to pay a $40 service fee for resetting Lo-Jack whenever the battery is disconnected for ANY reason! (and usually also have to replace the lojack backup battery in the process...)

Are you sure of this? I never heard this before, I had my battery disc. so I am concerned.

Tom

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tom97c4s
[B]I bought mine directly from a LoJack dealer/rep at the dealer..

They told me it needs to be specifically re-checked and re-set if the battery is disconnected....

Why not call LoJack's 800 number and see what they tell you?

 

Thanks! I'll give them a call to be sure.

 

Let us know what Lo Jack has to say, please!

 

I called Lojack this morning & the CSR said with little confidence that when your car battery is replaced you do not need service.

I read the manuel and it states "an inspection is required,..if you expierence battery or electrical system problems with your vehicle". I told this to the CSR and he stillsaid it is not nessesary.

So who knows for sure?

They want $69 + parts for a service.