Hi Everyone,

I purchased my first jeep last week and I pick it up tomorrow. I'm very excited to get the new toy, but after reading non-stop on these and other forums, I'm finding myself a little concerned about my softtop.

I live in Kanata, Ontario (essentially Ottawa), I'm wondering if I should be overly concerned with someone breaking in to my softtop? Should I be leaving the jeep unlocked all the time? Should I buy an alarm system? I plan on putting a starter in it, so getting one with an alarm isnt that much more on top of the price. I really want to be able to enjoy the softtop lifestyle of a jeep, suddenly I'm finding myself very concerned. Am I over reacting? Does everyone with a softtop get their windows cut at some point? lol...

Sorry for the flurry of questions, I'm hoping someone has some advice for a jeep noob :)

Cheers

P.S. I should note, I have been investigating getting a hard top, dealer wants 5k for one... so, im looking for other options.

 

Hi,I think you can answer part of your own question,
Are people in your area getting their cars broken into?
Do you live in a high crime area?
If the answer is no,then don't go overboard,put in an anti start system,and make extra sure you do not leave any valuables or anything you wouldn't want to get stolen in plain sight or better yet don't leave it in the Jeep.
I've never been broken into,but there's always a first time.I just don't leave anything inside worth stealing.
I'm surprised that you didn't get the hard top included in the deal.
Living in a winter climate makes having a hard top ideal.Get a used one if you can find it.

 

I picked up a 2011 clearout model, so I didn't have the same options I would have had, had I bought a 2012. I couldn't get the two top package. The dealer actually has a hardtop on hold for me right now, they are offering it to me for 2k because it has some paint scratched off the top rear edge.. I checked it out today, there is a chunk of paint missing, about the size of a loonie. Im not sure how I feel about buying this one.

My area is quite good, so hopefully I am just reading to much in to things. I do see A LOT of soft tops cruising around the streets. I notice jeeps a lot more now that I have one :)

 

Ha,that's all your gonna see from now on...Jeeps everywhere!!! don't forget to wave.
2 grand seems like a good price,but try getting them down to 1800 and jump on that deal if they agree.
you can always paint that chipped spot-or go to a body shop and get a quote,you'd be surprised how little it can cost if you shop around-I mean we're not talking a full blown paint job here,just a little touch up.
Good luck and keep us posted :)

 

The problem with the dealer is they will put taxes on it, so it will be about $2300, plus the kit for the defrost etc, and i guess labour if i have them do it. I'll see if i can get them down to a better price since I'll be paying stupid taxes on it. Otherwise, i may hold out until a used one pops up somewhere.

So, I'm really supposed to wave eh? The dealer told me that too, I wasnt sure if he was just trying to make me look like an *** :P

 

yeah,stupid government always taking it's cut!!!!
I would scour the classifieds until I found one,cuz I'm a cheap bastard lol.

 

ive been browsing the classifieds for a week or so and havent found anything yet!! GL

 

Ive seen a couple pop up, but they have been for the 2-door models. There seems to be some in the GTA so I may cave and just drive down there some weekend.

 

Back to your original question, unless you live in a high crime area, I doubt you'll have break in problems.
Like beserkur says, don't leave anything in view to tempt the kiddies. In my neighbourhood half the time I don't even bother putting the top back up if there's no rain forecast for over night, just lock the glovebox and console and pull the satellite reciever off it's mount. Took a trip to Maine this summer (starting in southwestern Ontario) and ran all the way to upstate New Hampshire with only the bikini on overnight. Parked under the lights in the motel parking lots (close to the entrance) using the same precautions and never had any problems. Only put the full softtop up when forecast called for rain the next couple of days.
Everybody worried about everything that could happen to them everyday, they'd never get out'a bed!

 

just leave everything unlocked and don't keep anthing thing of value in the Jeep.

I leave mine in the driveway with no doors or roof most of the summer. I always leave a little change in the tray so anyone looking to steal something gets their reward. The change has gone missing but nothing else.

Unless something has change since 07 to 09 the jeep can't be started with any other key( our keys have chips), and if started by any other means it will shut down after I think it's 20 or 30 secs



cheers