Sorry to hear, I've had about four business trips since I got my TL. It has always stayed at home with my wife, I leave her 8 yr old CRV at the airport.

 

smart idea

 

true, but having all these security measures will usually be on a fancy car, such as the TL. so although it will take longer, it will be well worth it.

Would a thief pick the lock of a Geo Metro or decode the unlock code for an LS460 and take 15 minutes longer. that would be like making 80 grand in fifteen minutes.

 

A determined "professional" car thief will go after whatever vehicle is both advantages and profitable for him to steal. He can get by just about any deterrent fixtures in the car, such as clubs, wheel locks, alarms, etc., in order to satisfy his specific needs at the time. TLs are now rather plentiful across the country and if your TL is parked in a lot with one or two deterrent devices visible, and there is another TL close by without anything, guess which one the thief is most likely going to go after?

However, if yours is the only one around and a TL is one his shopping, there is not a lot you can do to keep him from getting into and most likely stealing your car... unless you or a police officer catch him in the act, which is a fat chance.

Best thing to do is if you are planning to take your car somewhere that you know is dangerous, scout the area for parking spots and use your head. Or rent a car and leave your TL at home.

There's never an easy answer to this one.

 

7 day update::

It's been a week since my beloved TL disappeared. The Sac County Sheriff/Airport division have no additional information beyond what we already know... My car was last seen at 12:30am during the routine camera sweep through the parking lot (when each car's license plate is photo'd and digitized), and 3:00am when the back gate for the parking shuttle was reported as broken. Once the gate was reported broken, a guard was posted until it was fixed. So the TL was taken sometime between 12:30am and 3:00am.

My insurance company so far has been great to work with. Paperwork has been moving forward to declare the TL as a total loss. We'll see how the valuation process goes. I spoke to the Used Car Manager at my local Acura dealer. He was extremely knowledgeable on the process and offered me a few great tips at ensuring I get fair replacement value. When asked for his thoughts on how the TL was stolen, he said that he would put his money on a flat-bed. He said that Acuras are *very* difficult to start without the key. A recent car-theft ring was broken up here in northern CA and they were hauling Acuras away on flat-bed trailers.

A sign that the healing process has begun, we visited the Acura dealership last night to look at new Acuras. The new TL-S is very impressive! My wife had her eye on an RL. Fancy gadgets on the RL's inside and I like the Bose stereo better, but you can't beat the sporty looks and performance of the TL. We did not have time to test drive the TL-S but we took the RL out for a spin. Heavy car, very solid ride, and I can feel the AWD/suspension differences. For a big engine, accleration was a little on the mushy side.

Anyway... no new purchases until I get payment on the previous TL!

~ Steve

 

16 day update::

My insurance company gave me the payout number on my stolen 2006 TL. I paid $32700 before T&L for the 06 Auto Navi in March of 2006. It had about 13,000 miles on it. The insurance company calculated the payout to me at $32200 plus sales tax!

I nearly hit the floor in disbelief! I was expecting a negotiation nightmare not unlike the traditional car purchase, haggling back and forth while both sides fight for their position. That was their first offer. The adjuster told me that Acura TLs hold their value unlike anything she has ever seen. Their process to set a price involves reviewing similar cars for sale, taking the average of up to ten cars for sale within a 50 mile radius. They bounce those numbers off "internal data" for consistency... whatever that means. Anyway, they have given me a killer price for the car.

Hats off to Mercury Insurance! They have been nothing but professional, courteous, and helpful in getting this claim processed. If you are ever shopping for car insurance, I would recommend giving Mercury a look-see. They have earned my business for life!

The next apple of my eye?
2008 TL-S/Navi/CarbonBronzePearl/Ebony/upgraded wheels... and LoJack!



A-shopping we will go! A-shopping we will go! Heigh ho merry-o! A-shopping we will go!


~Steve

 

Glad everything worked out.

Wait... don't get the LoJack-- you might make a profit next time if the new one gets stolen in 2 years.

 

Not bad at all. Hope the old car has been disassembled (sp?) and distributed all over the country. How long do you have to wait for the check?

 

Wow that is a super nice payout for you. I'm happy for you but also really surprised at the same time. Now go get that new car!!!!

 

Hi fellow Sacramenten! glad to find out that you got a fantastic deal on your insurance check. im sure by now you have almost forgotten about it with that kinda deal. as seen on many times in the local news, im sure you know, sacramento has one of the highest auto theft rates in the nation! my mom's camry was taken but recovered a couple days later.

 

Glad to read the happy ending! Kudos to you!

 

I am glad that something that started off in despair ended in such a great fashion! Make sure to keep some money left over for a 2nd junk car for those airport trips

 

How did they steal it with the engine mobilizer key and all? I'm sure there is a way, but anyone have an idea how this works?

 

Usually takes at least three days. First the insurance company sends him some papers to sign and send them back along with any keys he has and the title(maybe not in his case since his car hasn't been found).


I had a total loss on my 2004 TSX which I bought certified used for $21,994 few months ago and they are paying me $22,151 + sales tax and license fee. . The insurance covering it is Farmers so its not just Mercury that gives you a good value for your TL. The money i'm getting back i'm getting an '05-06 TL.

 

All I can think of is that they swap out the emmobilizer unit and the key cylinder or the emmoblizer unit and pick the cylinder with a resistor that is preprogramed to the emmoblizer. Also there are certain patterns that manufacuters use to make keys, if the theif is skilled and knowledgeable with the right connections, they can get their hands on special portable key cutters that shave the key to an approximation and will work in the ignition, this is what some repo people do (only the key)