All,

I understand the Lexus IS200 SE comes with a standard fitted [u][i]Thatcham[/i] category one[/u] alarm and immobiliser.

With my wife being pregnant I will shortly need to bring the car (and leave it all day) outside my work place, and feel uneasy at the prospect of the vehicle being left in public view with '[i]just[/i]' the standard alarm / immobiliser.

Has anyone heard of security problems with the standard Lexus alarm / immobiliser? It's not a thieves best friend is it? '[i]Standard[/i]' alarms soon become unsafe because they are installed on every vehicle... and get cracked very quickly by thieves. Tell me that's not the case with the Lexus please!!

Cheers for anything... and of course any advertising for security products is more than welcome (if allowed by mods!).

Have a look [url="http://www.lexus.co.uk/news.php?page=archive&newstype=archive&navextra=on&id=news_security"]here[/url] it may put your mind at rest.

Yep, they don't come much more secure than a Lexus.

If you're still uneasy, what about removing one of the fuses so that it's [i]impossible[/i] to start the car? Bit of a hassle, but might give you that extra peace of mind.

My father lost the keys to his old car (Vauxhall Carlton)

called an professional auto locksmith.

Guy turned up in a van [b]full[/b] of equipment.

Got a keyring with two keys on it - tried one -didn't work.

Tried the other - door opened.


Had to ask him - how long would it take you to get into my IS.

He said he could do it - but it would take him a good while, and it wouldn't be pretty.


I was happy with that.

I don't believe the IS200 comes with a Thatcham 1 approved alarm, although it is a good one. Don't go telling your insurance company it has got one if it hasn't.

It has got dead locks and internal sensores too .... so just be careful and don't leave anything on display inside.

If they want it - they'll get in!

Get a Devil Dog and leave it in your car!

i was worried about the same thing after i got my audio install done and put the alloys on, so i went and purchased the Clifford Concept 600...

[quote]I don't believe the IS200 comes with a Thatcham 1 approved alarm, although it is a good one. Don't go telling your insurance company it has got one if it hasn't.[/quote]

it is CAT1 approved, so its all your really going to need and as far as i know, it has won some award (whatcar i think) for its security

parthiban ..... where does it say it's Thatcham approved? Very interested to see.

i dunno, thats wot the dealer said when i bought the car. i suppose he could have been lying

[quote name='Steve ( West Mids )' date='Jun 26 2003, 07:12 PM']parthiban ..... where does it say it's Thatcham approved? Very interested to see.[/quote]
As some of you know, I've been fitting audio and alarms(cat 1) for over 18 years now.
The Lexus IS200 alarm/immobiliser IS a cat 1, and is listed as such, in my 2003 Thatcham evaluation catalogue.
I could fit any alarm to my car, virtually for nothing, but am quite happy with the protection the Lexus alarm gives.
Hope this gives you piece of mind.....

You can't get better than that now can you?

Believe me, Duncan knows what he's talking about and I'd back him up on it anytime.

Cheers for that Duncan, I wasn't doubting anybody it's just I had been told it wasn't approved. A phone call to my insurance I guess

Gee Guy's............ THANKS
Steve, Your insurance company will already know it has a cat 1 on it. When they ask you for the make and model of the car, their computer tells them there's one fitted as standard.

Is it still the case that if Lexus (or alarm supplier) don't pay to renew their subs
for an alarm / immobiliser, Thatcham delete it from their 'approved' list ..

Then half the insurers won't touch you 'til you get a different one ?

When i used to do installs, Thatcham / VSIB was all a big con ...
About 100quid per pad of a dozen or so 'VSIB installed' forms

I'm sure someone got (or is getting) very rich from that bunch of racketeering

[quote name='TonyGoose' date='Jun 26 2003, 09:45 PM']Is it still the case that if Lexus (or alarm supplier) don't pay to renew their subs
for an alarm / immobiliser, Thatcham delete it from their 'approved' list ..

Then half the insurers won't touch you 'til you get a different one ?

When i used to do installs, Thatcham / VSIB was all a big con ...
About 100quid per pad of a dozen or so 'VSIB installed' forms

I'm sure someone got (or is getting) very rich from that bunch of racketeering [/quote]
Thatcham can't delete an alarm/immobiliser system if it's factory fitted. They can however delete a model of alarm if it's an aftermarket fit. ie: if you go out tomorrow and buy yourself an all singing, all dancing alarm, that is Thatcham CAT 1 approved, and have it fitted to your car, two things could happen.
Your insurance company may not "recognise" it as one of their listed systems(they can pick and choose any CAT 1 system they like, even if you have one on already, they might tell you to change it)
The other thing is that Thatcham can delete it from their evaluation catalogue, and no longer give it recognision.

Thanks for all the reassurance everyone. Parking the vehicle and leaving it on display for 5 days a week does leave me a bit worried... but at least it should still be there when I get back... in what condition I don't know but it'll still be there.

I cannot find any specifications on the alarm design. I am after answers to questions such as... Will the alarm go off...?[list]
[*]if a window is smashed?
[*]if the car is lifted level onto the back of a transporter?
[*]if the front end is lifted (for towing)?
[*]if the wheels are tampered with?
[/list]I realise that if someone is going to take your car then they'll take it... I just want to stop the casual theif from taking a fancy to it.

I also went to Halfords and bought two "[i]This car is alarmed and immobilised[/i]" stickers... and have a very neat flashing L.E.D. (home built) alarm-looking air-freshener as visual deterrants.

Would anyone suggest a steering-wheel lock, or is that over-the-top?

[quote name='PHickman' date='Jun 27 2003, 12:46 PM']I cannot find any specifications on the alarm design.  I am after answers to questions such as...  Will the alarm go off...?[list]
[*]if a window is smashed?
[*]if the car is lifted level onto the back of a transporter?
[*]if the front end is lifted (for towing)?
[*]if the wheels are tampered with?
[/list][/quote]
The IS has deadlocks and interior sensors, so if a window is smashed, then alarm will go off, and the theif will be unable to unlock the door from the inside.
Also, if they manage to unlock the bonnet, then the alarm will go off.

As for being towed, I cannot comment, hopefully someone with more knowledge will be able to help you.

I do not think that the alarm will sound if the alloys are tampered with, and it will be worth investing in locking wheel nuts, if they are not already fitted.

[quote]Would anyone suggest a steering-wheel lock, or is that over-the-top?[/quote]

I would reccomend whatever makes you feel better, a steering lock is a good visable deterrent, and as such, may stop an oportunist thief 'having a go' at getting in your car.

[quote name='PHickman' date='Jun 27 2003, 11:46 AM'][*]if the car is lifted level onto the back of a transporter?
[*]if the front end is lifted (for towing)?[/quote]
don't know about the alarm.

but if your car has tracker fitted, then rasing the vehicle will trigger the tracker device.


I had it installed before delivery.

Tracker Monitor - if the device is activated, they ring me up, and ask if I know the car is in motion.


I [b]guarantee[/b] it will be triggered when towed, as my first IS was written off from an accident, and I got a call within minutes of the towing company turning up to take it away.


Next car will have the new version (which they brought out just after I bought my car ), whereby if the tracker is triggered, they ask you, alert the police and track the car using GPS.

[quote name='Matthew_McNally' date='Jun 27 2003, 12:23 PM']Next car will have the new version (which they brought out just after I bought my car ), whereby if the tracker is triggered, they ask you, alert the police and track the car using GPS.[/quote]
I was thinking about getting a tracking device fitted. Is it true you have to pay a monthly subscription (on top of the price of installation) to enable the GPS tracking / police call..?

I'm just wondering if some petty thief can come along, cut the hand-brake cable, and push my car away without anyone even batting an eyelid because the alarm isn't going off..? They'd have to get into the car and smash the steering column though if they wanted to turn it... so I'd be more likely to find it in a straight line pushed into a brick-wall probably. Grrrrr

I always park in gear, so that it cannot happen..

[quote name='Fidgits' date='Jun 27 2003, 03:30 PM']I always park in gear, so that it cannot happen..[/quote]
Heh... what a bloody good idea. Cheers mate!

[quote name='PHickman' date='Jun 27 2003, 03:28 PM']I was thinking about getting a tracking device fitted. Is it true you have to pay a monthly subscription (on top of the price of installation) to enable the GPS tracking / police call..?[/quote]
there is an annual subscription - no monthly subscription

[quote]Next car will have the new version (which they brought out just after I bought my car  ), whereby if the tracker is triggered, they ask you, alert the police and track the car using GPS.[/quote]

That would be the "Tracker Horizon" Matthew,
I have one on my car.
You can pay a "one off " payment (which is worth it if your gonna keep the car a while), or you can pay a yearly subscription.

So very quick question .. My last cars alarm was bypassed by shorting the two wires to one of the side repeaters.. Was a Meta alarm , not sure which one one but possubly a piece a rubbish .. Obviously so actually .. Shorted then smashed window and i think the alarm died with all the fuses that blew !! Anyway , after some older type cars getting some attention from the local scum I'm worried about something similar happening again .. I honestly don't think these fools have the know how to take my new car ,, but not even being a week old it is actually keeping me awake ... HATE THESE WA ERS WITH A PASSION.

Also is two sets lof lock nuts over the top ? How difficult to have a tilt switch added to standard alarm on a 2005 SE ???

***** nothing like dragging up an old thread.

Your prob best speaking to an auto electrition about adding a tilt switch but i dont see why it cant be done.

[quote name='sparkystav' post='539812' date='May 5 2008, 11:58 AM']***** nothing like dragging up an old thread.

Your prob best speaking to an auto electrition about adding a tilt switch but i dont see why it cant be done.[/quote]


Too true .. Endless amount of digging to be done here when all is quiet in work.. Anyone else got a tilt switch .. Reliable? I mean will they cause problems when parked and arming off the flat ??? Will probably talk to someone though.. hate the idea of someone pulling panels off the inside

Dunno about tilt switches etc. Just a few words to all regarding security. From personal experience.

Keep your keys with you at all time. Take them with you when you go to bed. Spare keys should be kept in a lockable cash box well hidden. Mine is in my attic. My friend [i]had[/i] a VR6 Golf. Went on holiday. House was ransacked, spare keys were found. My friend now has a lot more space on her driveway.

Buy a Diskloc. They are ugly. They are clumsy. They do provide a deterrent. I used to own a 5 series BM. Parked it on the street, I never had any fear as it had a decent alarm system. My failing was I gave credit to the kids that tried to steal my car. I thought they would have knew better than to try to steal my motor with a screwdriver. They didn't, they tried, the alarm goes off and I have a damaged door lock. If they see the big yellow lock they leave it alone, there are plenty of easier touches out there. Remember, by the time the alarm has activated the damage has been done.

Don't leave anything in view. Nothing! Put it all into the boot. You can deadbolt the boot with the key in the boot lock. Turn it 1/4 turn anti-clockwise. Means the boot cannot be opened even from the boot release inside the car. With that level of security you have no excuse for having valuables stolen from your car.

Drive with your doors locked. You have central locking. Use it. If someone is gonna take your car they will want it in one piece with the key. You are the weakest link in the security chain.

Be sensible where you park, Dont give thieves time and space to go to work on your car.

Good well thought out points.

[quote name='Lance' post='549520' date='Jun 2 2008, 05:21 PM']Keep your keys with you at all time. Take them with you when you go to bed. Spare keys should be kept in a lockable cash box well hidden. Mine is in my attic. My friend [i]had[/i] a VR6 Golf. Went on holiday. House was ransacked, spare keys were found. My friend now has a lot more space on her driveway.[/quote]
Agree with everything except this one mate - if people have gone so far as to get into my house, I'd prefer that they took the car (at least one of them) and leave happy that they've been successful rather than either turn the house upside down or even worse wait for you to return.

I'd much rather just lose the car, than all the additional problems that could ensue.........

That is a a good point. In that situation if you are gonna leave your car unattended for a while, like for instance going on holidays my best advice is park it somewhere secure, like if your workplace has a secure car park or leave it with on a friend or familys driveway. One guy who did this had his house ransacked when he was away, they took his spare keys but the car was parked elsewhere. He took his car to the dealership and his immobiliser was reprogrammed rendering the chip in the stolen keys useless. (The key could still be used to open the vehicle but not disable the alarm or immobiliser, he needed the ignition, driver/passenger/boot door barrells replaced. All covered under his insurance.)

Car alarms are all a load of rubbish. If they want the car, they'll get the car. If they can't get it nicely, they'll get it un-nicely. The easiest way to stop the opportunists is to leave nothing visible in the car. Trick is to not draw attention to the car.
As for trackers, all well and good, but to be honest, if my car was nicked I'd have no clue what they'd done with it and I wouldn't want it back - it'd never be the same again.

I'd save the cash and do something else with it.

Strongly disagree with the point of sleeping with your keys close to you - leave them where they can get them if they want them that much - no car's woth getting your head kicked in or worse for.

i Havent read all the thread but wasnt the IS200 the 1st car to get 100 out of 100 in security tests when it first came out..

[quote name='dazz32' post='551244' date='Jun 7 2008, 08:56 PM']i Havent read all the thread but wasnt the IS200 the 1st car to get 100 out of 100 in security tests when it first came out.. [/quote]

Not to sure but I know the were quite alot of them being car-jacked when they first came out, presumably because it was the only real way to nick them...