5-spd Gate Locks -- are they worth it?

Yea who cares its a 20 year old ferrari. Just like a 1966 250 LM is only a 39 year car.LOL!
Gate locks are good i use one my self, but it is part of my security system. No one item should be the only system in protecting your $40 plus grand 20 year old car, or 39 year old come to think of it.

 

Leave the alarm off. I ripped one out of my car a few months ago, couldn't believe how many miles of wires there were.

 

Insure it and don't sweat the small stuff. The Mondial (and 328 and 308) are not extremely rare cars and could be replaced. I yanked the brains out of the alarm on my car when it kept randomly setting off the siren.

 

In the UK, if theres no alarm and or imobilizer you cant get insurance on a ferrari. Whats it like in the US?

 

Gate locks are a great visual deterrent for an amateur thief and are also handy for keeping the car in gear when you have little kids climbing in and out of the car.

Hill Engineering builds a nice unit that appears to have a high quality tumbler. Mine is from Ultimate pedals.

A good thief can probably pop either one with a ignition puller but would still be a deterrent for a joy rider that doesn't want to spend the time on it.

Ignition and fuel disable systems are the best way to go. I make my own with micro-switches and relays. A hidden master battery cut-off switch would help also.

If someone wants your car bad enough they'll just snag it with a repo truck equipped with "crab claws."

 

All an alarm is basically good for discouraging kids from screwing with your car. If a theif want's it he can get it. As most cars are stolen for parts the good news is there is a very small market for used 84 Mondial parts. Ferrari electrics are fun enough to keep working propoerly without adding to the mess with some aftermarket alarm.

 

I had one for my 348 and quite honestly after using it a few times which put a few scratches on my shiny gate I decided to quit using it...the reason...if a competent car thief wants your car he is going to get it. I would rather not have my car torn up by some imcompetent crook with a crow bar. Loose the gate lock and enjoy the car.

 

So am i to take it that in the US, you dont have to have an alarm or imobilizer to get insured?

 

No alarm necessary in the U.S. or at least in California.

 

Thats interesting, thanks mate.

 

My insurance company gives a discount for cars with an alarm.

 

I think they are an outstanding visual deterrent. A professional thief of course can steal anything: diamonds, precious artwork, social security numbers, and yes, even your Ferrari.


-Daniel

 

I don't remember the name of it, but I have the club for the brake. Better than the one for the wheel. You place it over the brake/clutch and slide it up, so the brake can't be depressed. It's bulletproof/sawproof (like on tv!) and if someoen tried to get rid of it, they are put in a very awkward position with their back exposed and unable to see someone coming.

 

I did a search for one of those brake locks with no luck. Do you remember who makes it? I would love to have a couple.

 

Here's a one:

http://www.wolo-mfg.com/wb.htm

Here's another that locks just the pedals, but not the wheel.

http://www.steadfastautosecurity.com/autolock.htm

 

I *like* using a gate-lock. As Daniel (of Ricambi) said, it's a good visual deterrent, but I don't leave it at that. If I have to have my car outside overnight at a hotel, I use the gate lock, steering wheel lock, and the alarm. Of course, any knowledgeable theif could get through any and all of those, but if you've got 3 or 4 Ferraris parked in the same lot and you're going to steal one, you'd probably go for one without all the extra hassle of those devices (at least that's what I'm hoping).

 

Yep, the second one. That's it.

 

I have a shift gate lock (bought from Italian Car parts) but have never actually used it yet. Seems like a lot of bother unless you are really doing a lot of travelling or in questionable areas of town.

I agree that it is certainly a visual deterrent though...

 

I use the Hill gate lock religiously. There are a few minor marks on the gate itself but they are minimal. I find it very easy to put on and take off, and then I keep it in the driver's door compartment.

As uncommon as 328s may be, I think my 2000 Civic SI is more likely to get stolen than the Ferrari!

 

Forget all that crap. Get a good "agreed value" insurance policy...and make sure it is a good 5 to 7k above what you paid for the car...(won't cost more than an extra $50 per year). Use normal precautions, if it get's stolen, it will all work out.

Most aftermarket alarms cause more headaches, as most have found out, either from poor installation, or the chips crapping out in them. My mechanic says he finds alarms cause tons of starting and electrical glitches in Ferraris...he hates them.

Never had a alarm in my 308GTS or 328 GTS...and yes, I parked it all the time with the top off...had both cars for 2 to 2.5 years each. The 355 has some sort of immobilizer gizmo...it self activates after 2 minutes.

 

I have had one of my cars stolen and even with insurance it is still a b!tch to fix after they destroy the column and console. I would prefer that when they see a visual deterrent they move on, hopefully.

After purchasing a truck that previously had an UNGO alarm in it I will never have an alarm installed in any of my cars. The system was removed when I bought the truck but after experiecing electrical gremlins I started to find the remnants of the system through out the truck. The installers trashed the electrical system during installation with crappy 3M "click taps" and was re-trashed when removed. I am still having problems with shorts.

I used to have a "club" until I saw a demonstration where the thief just cut through the steering wheel with bolt cutters in 15 seconds and removed the Club.

I just ordered the brake pedal lock from Steadfast. The ignition switch cover wouldn't be a bad idea either.