I know of at least one (mine) successful installation of Lo-jack (i.e. the installer was not electrocuted :-) I've not heard of anybody having a Prius stolen, so haven't heard if the Lo-jack can actually operate in a Prius. But I can't think of any plausible reason why it wouldn't (assuming correct installation, of course). My dealer would not install it because the service technician was specifically instructed not to modify any of the electrical system at the Prius class. I still need to get him over that restriction to get the Toyota cruise control installed.<br><br>Robert Snyder<br>NJ-PIKACHU

I too had Lo-jack installed at the time of purchase and there was no problem with the installation. The Lo-jack technician installed the system at my residence.

What is "Lo-jack"? I assume it's some sort of anti-theft device. Is it really needed on the Prius, given the built-in alarm system and the engine immobilizer system? I'm speaking naievely, perhaps, since the area I live in doesn't get many auto thefts. Another thing in the Prius' favor is that I've read it's the really common cars (like Accords, Corollas, etc.)that are the targets of organized car thieves, since they are harder to spot while being stolen, and the parts are easier to fence.<br><br>Just curious.<br><br>-DanC

Lo/Jack is a vehicle recovery system. A device is hidden somewhere in your car. Should it ever be stolen, you file a police report and the police send a signal to activate it. The system then sends out a radio 'homing beacon' - soft of like the collars they put on wild animals to track them. Many police cars are equipped with a tracking receiver - it looks like a tiny radar screen and they drive around and follow the blip until they find your car. Many cars are recovered within 30 minutes of being reported stolen. An interesting side benefit: there are been stories here in Mass that when a cop found the car, it was in a garage (chop shop) with other non-Lo/Jack equiped that were also 'saved' by the system. The system costs about $600 and you need to have it's batteries serviced every few years. In Mass insurance companies discount the Fire/Theft/collision portion of the premium 35% if you have one installed.

Lo-Jack was developed and first made available in Massachusetts 10-15 years ago. It is not available everywhere, if for no other reason than because police cars have to be outfitted with the homing devices. Lo-Jack probably has a web site showing locations where it's available. I don't know of any in Canada, though Toronto and Montr?al would probably be good bets. As for the cars theives prefer, that seems to depend a great deal on location and local preference. I recall seeing charts for various North American cities and the differences were astonishing. Prius wasn't on the list because it hadn't come out yet. It would seem to me that there's not a lot in a Prius a chop shop could use, so they would focus on cars they can truly "chop" or move easily intact. As you said, Prii are just too unusual (I hope).

The only way a Prius will be stolen is by stealing the keys or lifting it onto a flatbed truck. If you tend to be careless with your keys, or are concerned that your Prius will be lifted onto a flatbed truck (it IS possible), then by all means, get Lo-Jack.<br>Sam

My concern is for the group of crimes, commonly referred to as "car-jacking". The flatbed thefts are obviously done by "professionals", and I doubt they would be able to sell Prius parts yet. However, I intend to own my car for awhile and their is no way to tell what will happen over the next year or two. For all we know Toyota could be selling all hybrid vehicles in 3 or 4 years.<br><br>Tone