vandalism

I have a 2004 911 C4s cabriolet that I've owned for a little over a year now, and it has been vandalized twice--nothing stolen, just intentional damage. The last time it happened--last night--the vandals cut a two foot gash through the convertible top and the headliner. I'd be curious to know what other owner's experience is with vandalism. I've owned other expensive cars before, but this has never happened. Is there something about a Porsche that attacts this sort of thing--i.e., you own this expensive car that most of the world can't afford and so screw you? As much as I enjoy the car, this makes me think about getting rid of it.

Sorry to hear that. A P-car is an attractive car. Fortunately mine hasn't been vandalized. I have experienced this in other vehicles though. Not sure getting another car will make it go away. Sometimes it is driven by jealousy, other times looking for change or a radio and sometimes just drunk and stupid. Sad thing is if you get rid of the car you lose, and if you fret about owning it you lose, too. Helps if you have indoor parking at work/home, and another car to drive to places where the car isn't as safe.

Sorry to hear that. Hope those bastards get "payback" if you know what i mean.

Quite a few years ago, I lived in an apartment complex with an 8-garage unit for parking. Someone left their garage door unlocked one night and the thieves jumped through the open rafters (the walls only went up to ceiling height; the roof area was open between garages). onto the top of our then fairly new Nissan product. Dented in the roof about 4-5", resulting in several thousand dollars worth of damage before they stole the $300 radio. Talking to the cops, there was a rash of car break-ins in the area at the time. They ended about one month later when some nearby apartment owner caught two guys breaking into his car; he shot and killed one. I think he got off with probation somehow; the jury was probably sympathetic in that redneck neigborhood. Can't say I condone what he did, but I didn't grieve much for the thieves, either.

I'd park in a different place or cover the car to discourage vandal. Do you have enemy? It's either random act or someone who doesn't like you. Softtops attrach attention especially in those towns w lots of teens.

As you can see from my signature I own the same car. That is just beyond words. Do you mind sharing where you live? Also, did this happen in a public garage, or was the car parked in an open lot or on the street. The author that wrote Death Wish did so after seeing his Porsche cabriolet's top slashed, so you can imagine that type of frustration and anger that action illicits. Rob

It happened in Houston, Texas. The first time it happened was in the garage at work; last night it happened in the parking garage in the high rise where I live. Both garages are gated. Last night, 11 other cars in the same garage were also broken into, but they perps took special care to slash the top of my car.

Happened to me about 9 years ago when I had my 911 Targa. I was parked in a locked parking garage and someone slashed my top from end to end. The vandals left visible fingerprints all over the windows. The police wouldn't even show up to investigate...just gave me a police report number to give to the insurance company.

Worst I've had is my wheel caps repeatedly stolen but I think that is primarily driven by the price the fetch on eBay rather than pure maliciousness. In any case, if you ditch the car you let those ******** win. I think vandalism of any car is realtively rare so I'd get the top fixed, hope for the best and keep on driving!

******** deluxe, it's too bad soft tops tend to attract that BS. It's usually petty jealousy that drives this. When I was a resident, some ahole threw a brick through my front windshield parked directly in front of the hospital just for spite, luckily it was only a ford escort, but it was a fortune to fix it at the time.

That sucks. A college roommate used to leave his Alfa Romeo convertible unlocked, so that thieves wouldn't slash the top to break into the car. He had a regular "visitor" that would empty the contents of the glovebox onto the passenger seat while looking for something valuable. He never left anything valuable in the car, so he didn't mind that much. One day he forgot and locked the car, and someone slashed the top to break in. Believe me, he was PO'd! Then again, p-cars are worth a bit more, so this strategy of leaving the car unlocked may not be the best thing.

I have never been violated like that, I can't even imagine. Other than a group break in, I would wonder if you did anything to precipitate such action if a single occurance.

I had an SL 500 parked at a Hilton Inn, in OK City, and they busted the drivers window to get my radar detector. Very frustrating, as it cost me a day to get it fixed so I could continue my trip.

sucks!

You should get a car cover that is plain vanilla (not the Porsche silver one). It'll cut down on vandalism. The garage where you live should also boost security and perhaps fence the place off. Installing CC cameras should also be suggested to parking operator or home owner association. Get your insurance to get a new Porsche top for you. A replacement other than Porsche should not be accepted as factory is still better in fit and mat'l.

Though the K40 has less features but same detection range as the top 3 detectors, I love it for it's stealthfulness. I have a passport 8500 in my SUV that I tend to forget is there(except when I'm parked overnight in an unfamilar place or clubbing) and I worry that the same thing that happened to you will happen to me if I slip up..

So sorry to hear that, especially being a fellow Houstonian. Luckily, my '99 C2 has never been vandalized, and I've taken it to some not-so-desirable neighborhoods. In fact, being a life-long Houston resident, none of my cars has ever been vandalized, except for my very first new car -- CRX Si -- when I attended college in Austin. I know I'm due for one anyday now, hence my increasing paranoia and diligence on where I go, areas I park, how I drive, and even how I park. I guess I'm overcompensating so as to not illicit any potential jealous behaviors from scumbags.

That's whats great about the Passport SRX. Passport Install