Any of you use car alarms, steering wheel locks, etc?

Short of a kill switch, you can also pop out the fuse for the fuel injector system every time you leave the car. And for leaving the center storage box open, make sure you also disable the trunk release switch. This way, you can keep stuff in the trunk out of sight and relatively difficult to get to.

and make it easier for the thief to steal the contents of your trunk.

It's best to think of a Miata like a bicycle. Don't leave anything in it or on it. And don't leave it too long.

There is a very simple mod you should do to your car to disable the trunk release mechanism. It is a 10 minute job. Locking your center console is a complete waste of time, any thief can open it in ten seconds flat. ...Colin

When I leased my car in 96 (and bought it 3 years later of course), the dealer wanted to sale me an alarm system. I told him since I was leasing the car it was not mine but his, and if he wanted it not to be stolen, well, that was his problem and he should pay for the alarm. We came to an agreement and I got a Lojack system with alarm for half price. It's just a basic alarm on the doors and trunk coupled with a kill switch and a tracking device. I never had to use it so I cannot tell how efficient those tracking devices are, but maybe that's the goal. As a general rule, I never lock the door (your insurance will never reimburse you the price of a brand new top), never lock the center console and glove box (a screw driver opens them, damaging the lock), and never keep anything of value in the car. I am personally not crazy about motion sensor alarms since they have a tendency to go off every 2 minutes especially if your car is park in a busy street, and you are more inclined to have your car vandalized by angry neighbors trying to sleep. I don't think any type of alarms will stop a professional but a cheap sounding one with a kill switch might stop kids from going for a joy ride. And a tracking device (if coverage exists in your area) should help you get your car back before a professional has time to damage it.

Stephan Guillou 96 Montego Blue

Do you not have full coverage on your car? I can assure you that my insurance company will pay for a new top if someone vandalizes the car. They'll subtract the deductible, of course, but if it's bona fide vandalism, it's covered.

My first '99 Miata mod, done the weekend after I got it: Disconnect center trunk release.

When I filed a claim for my slashed top, they paid the claim based on the depreciated value of the roof. IIRC, they caculated it based on a 6-year life for a top.

Convertible tops are considered 'consumable' items (like batteries and tires) that have to be replace periodically.

Doors are not.

File a claim and see. Or just ask an adjuster.

Damn. I've got to change insurance companies...