A quick update on the stolen SC4.

I bought a replacement last week - a nice one, a 99, and frankly a lot of $$. The cops found mine earlier this week, and I got a call from the detective yesterday, saying I wouldn't be driving it home.

He said it had no steering wheel. No interior at all. Stripped right down to bare metal - wheel, seats, console, carpet, door panels, stereo, airbags, headliner - all gone. Trunk lid, spoiler, bumpers, headlights, taillights and sunroof, gone. So yeah, it's a total loss.

Now the horse trading begins. The adjuster offered to settle for half of what I want, which is what it would take to get another car as nice. I had to spend more to get the new one than I expect to get from them. By quite a bit.

I told the cop I didn't even want to see the thing. Time to move on.

So, one thing we SC owners need to learn from this: the car is becoming Chop Shop Meat.

Enough older cars are available now at pretty low prices, which makes them affordable for younger folks. The cheapest ones will have really high miles and they will show a lot of wear. That kind of situation can drive a black market in hot parts, just like with Civics, Accords, Evos, etc.

I'm not putting any blame on young owners in general here. It's just a fact of life in our economy that many younger folks don't have the finances to maintain, let alone restore, older cars. And, as less experienced drivers, they might be more likely to bend sheet metal from time to time.

Anyway, just know that your SC is apparently becoming a target for thieves - usually meth heads, according to the cop here - who steal cars and sell them to chop shops. A pretty big chop shop full of Acuras was busted not too long ago here in the Seattle area.

So, you SC folks in the Northwest, keep a lookout for Spruce parts! Spruce cars are pretty rare, especially in the kind of condition mine was in. If you spot anything for sale, or if you hear somebody boasting about his upgrades to his spruce SC, PM me! and I will get the info to the SPD detective who's working the case.

I will miss my spruce SC, but this will ease the pain:

 

Damn, did you have any sort of security system on that thing? I got the same color car too so thinking of watching that video of a guy breaking into your car makes me sick. At least you got a new baby...

 

Did this car have an alarm system? How did he get the car started
if alarm was on.? Curious.

 

That really sucks. I think this has finally convinced me to get a removeable steering wheel when I get started on my SC build.

 

oh man, sorry to hear about your misfortune.

you'll love your 99 SC. There are SOOOOO many differences in the newer models that I had to restore mine to its best. have fun man

 

Theres almost no types of criminals that I hate more than car thieves. These guys deserve to be pelted with stones alive. Good Luck

 

Get LoJack if its available in your area. Before I got stationed in Yuma with the Marines, I lived in Austin TX and had my 1994 Accord EX stolen. I reported it stolen before I left for work, took the city bus and before I went to lunch (Home Depot) I was told they found the car and the guy was an illegal without insurance or even a drivers license (No offense to anyone). Its worth it man, No monthly fees or anything.

 

That really blows!! I know how much hard work can (and judging from the pics, obviously did) go in to a car of that caliber. I guess all I can say is sorry, and enjoy the new one!


P.S. - Who are you going to offend? Illegals without insurance or a driver's license?

 

Well I live 5 minutes from Mexico so saying "Illegal" tends to offend anyone in this town whether they are illegal or not. Just used to making sure

 

Sorry bout your lost, eye's out down here around Tacoma and up and down I five

 

Sorry to hear about the SC.

Nothing wrong with saying Illegals or Illegal aliens.
They are illegal after all and your the American in your country. They are the ones who need to assimilate.

 

that sucks! well, good job on the new sc, looks good!