New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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.

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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.

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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 :)

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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 :)

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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 ass :P

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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.

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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!

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

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

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

I left our JK in a 10 story Miami Fl. parking lot with the soft top down and all our luggage in the back. The only incident was the "Warming" sticker on the window with everything checked off ...Personal items in plain view, convertible top down, GPS in plain view. The only thing not checked...doors not locked and keys in it !!! LOL (FYI, even if everything got stolen I didn't care, important stuff was in my pocket...passport, money etc.) I guess thieves think it's too easy ?

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

Yes Wave absolutely......I wave always, and the ones that look like asses are the ones that dont.....I have many around here that dont, but its their loss !!!! LOL

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

Ya maybe thought it was a "bait car".

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

I'll keep my eye open for ya, I'm always around the Hammer

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

My soft top thoughts are this.... dont leave anything valuable in the jeep. I always was scared to leave the windows down on the soft top at the mall even. People spit, throw gum in it because they are hater. . . . and they will steal your soft top windows as well.

But, you cant live life scared. You need to enjoy the Jeep and the top off, so play it smart.

As for waving.. My wife always says "look a new friend" while rubbing my leg laughing.... BUT... shes been driving the unlimited lately and been doing the wave :p

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

I'm from Winnipeg, until recently the Auto Theft Capital of Canada. (That's now two things Saskatchewan beats Manitoba at :hah: ). I only have a soft top on my JKXU and almost never lock the doors. None of these punks are looking to score a crappy Garmin Nuvi or bottom of the line Sirius receiver. I have had my change cup stolen a couple of times, but I figure it's easier to replace a simple cup than it is to replace a cup and a roof! I also rigged up a platform for behind the back seats and if I leave anything of value in the vehicle I'll stick it under there and lock the tailgate. It's then out of sight and not tempting.

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

Hubby and I had the same conversation. He says that professional thieves will have it inside a truck in less than 5 minutes so even a high end GPS tracking system is a waste. We mainly worry about the local kids - so consider anything of value to be lost, don't leave your Oakleys on the dash and don't worry too much. We live in Ottawa too and have had a few incidents on Saturday nights - nothing serious, just more annoying than anything (iphone charger, sunglasses, etc). Welcome to the club, and happy waving! :)

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

When running with the soft top, don't bother locking the doors. Hopefully anyone looking to steal anything will just open the doors and not knife the top/sides cuz zippers are too confusing for them..

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I put an alarm in my jeep with the proximity sensor, I figured I might as well since I was putting in a starter anyway. I do lock my doors, I figure, most parking lot thieves are just walking around checking for locked doors and moving on to the next. They arent walking around with box cutters. The ones who do have the box cutters, likely arent even checking the doors. I guess either way, there is a risk involved with running the soft top. I try to be smart about where I part. I pick well lit spots. I don't part at movie theaters, etc.

The most annoying part is not always having my oakleys in the vehicle waiting for me. I think im going to get one of those tuff boxes for under the seat.

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

I look at it this way, hard top or soft top if someone really wants into your Jeep, they will get in.

Obviously if you know how to use velcro and zippers the soft top is a thousands times easier and quieter to break into. I guess it comes with the territory of owning a Jeep. I normally use a cab cover over my Jeep when its parked for a while with the top and doors off... out of sight out of mind thinking I guess. I would suggested getting a hard top though. It sounds like it might make you feel safer, plus you can't go wrong with a hard top ever... I don't think I'd ever think to leave my soft top on over the winter... I hear the rear defroster's don't work too well in them :)

I've seen them on kijiji and craigslist. I will keep my eyes open if I see any selling.

I have both as I bought the Jeep with both, I don't think I'd go without either, and if I had to ditch one it would likely be the soft top!

As a security option while using the soft top you can also look into an under seat security storage I'm looking at getting the tuffy box for this summer.

http://www.northridge4x4.ca/proddeta...prod=TUFFY-247

Re: New Jeep Owner - Soft Top Concerns
 

I think im going to get the under seat storage box as well. I need somewhere for my oakleys :)