i ve been reading some horror stories of the 2nd Gen TL's.. Basically they were saying its not safe parking their cars in NY. Im curious if the 04's have this problem with theft as well. Thanks.

 

Have you seen the threads on how hard it is to remove these lights? I'm guessing they're not too attractice to thieves as stealing the lights would require the removal of the entire front bumper. I suppose it wouldn't take that long if you don't care about f'ing up the front of the car but I have to think that is somewhat of a deterrent.

 

Some have said that the design of the 04 ballasts make it a lot harder to steal. Without knowing the technical details, I'm not sure what the real answer is.

 

Hard to take them out. Generally, there are two ways...

1. Remove bumper and take them out properly and slowly.

2. Smash your hood and bumper severely and take them out quickly.

 

When I get one, anybody who touches them will be fingerless!!!! Hands will be on the ground!!! Knives will be present!!!

carcar

 

i think its not a problem right now yet because the 3rd gen is new and there are not alot of technical data for the theives. but when more details about the layout of the headlights are more widely available then they might start to steal. also besides who would want to spend so much time stealing a 3rd gen headlight when a second gen can be stolen so much easier.

 

the 2nd gen and 3rd gen are set up totally different... There are like 10 bolts holding the headlights on the 3rd gen.. There are only 5 on the 2nd gen.. Also the way thieves pop them out so quickly is because they take a crobar to the corner where the hood, fender and headlight meet. Its really hard to use a crobar since you cant get it in between the light and fender. You can get it between the hood and light but the hood will bend faster than the fender...

i think 3rd safe for the time being...

 

if anyone knows it's mr since he does all those clear headlights.

 

when hid becomes standard for all cars.......

 

From Miami Herald.com
HIALEAH

Two front headlights were stolen from Ariel De Jesus Hernandez's silver 2005 Acura TL. They were taken from the 900 block of West 56th Street between 4 and 4:03 a.m. Dec. 1.

more info...

--------
Stolen in 3 minutes or just a typo?

 

don't know much about HID except for they are nice and bright...are they expensive?

 

they are over $1000 each

 

yep, they tried to get my wife's '02 that exact way - never got the lights, but killed my 1/4 panel, light housing, and a little hood.

 

I think the 3G's are safe for now. I don't see them being easily taken out.

 

Yeah, I saw that. Either its a typo OR the guy was unknowingly being tailed by the thieves and when he "turned his back" (for 3 minutes) they were gone.

 

I saw a 3G TL with one of the lights missing and the corner near the grill bent back. I'm sure they stole one and thought it was too hard to steal the other one.

My Dad has a `04 G35 and his have been stolen four times. The plastic inside the lense is cracked from the fifth time someone tried to steal them. so far its been over a year since the last time they got stolen. My car was in the driveway when that happend and they didn't touch my car.

 

Mine were stolen off of my 06 TL before I could even take delivery - bastards did a smash and grab at the dealership overnight !!

Good thing the dealer found a replacement car for me

 

HOLYSHIT!!!!!!!!!

I live in Hialeah and right near fucking by. Too bad I sold my TL.