from what i was told, the newer generation ones sold today do. you don't have to call anymore. when the alarm goes off, it contacts a call center (kinda like ADT), and a GPS pinpoints and tracks the car. the call center calls the cops and tells them exactly where the car is, or the general vicinity.

heard this from a friend who is a lojack (and other alarm systems) installer/dealer.

 

Thats true Tommy3rd, there are newer versions of lojack that are much more similar to OnStar. But instead of using a cellphone, they use the twoway pager network.

However, I was sort of intentionally vague about them. I think I made my distinction between the two my calling the 'normal' lojack that most everyone has as the 'consumer' version. The version they have that uses GPS is much more expensive and is targeted to 'commercial' customers. Such as delivery trucks, Fleet services, Limo's, and even Police Departments.

Its actually sort of a middle ground between 'stolen car recovery' and 'Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)' i.e. it only reports in its location when its requested, not at regular intervals. In my mind its a pretty good marketting strategy that gives them a product between normal lojack (about $ 350) and full blown AVL (about $2000)

Mike

 

I purchased the newest type of LoJack called LoJack Early Warning Recovery System (along with the older standard LoJack):

http://www.lojack.com/foryou/early_warning.htm

You get a small box on your key ring. If the car is started without that little box (ie. you didn't start it with your keys) LoJack is notified and you are notified by email, phone, fax, etc. You can have up to 5 of these types of contacts. This way, you will be notified that you car has been started before you ever noticed that it was gone.

I paid $695 for both LoJack and the EWRS. The EWRS was free ($300 value) as a monthly special (or so they told me.)

I also use a steering wheel club but that is just for a visible warning. Most pros can cut the wheel to remove the club.

My feeling is that a "pro" will get my car no matter what I do but I am protecting my car from joy riders and non-pro theft.

 

If they tow it then they are "pros" most likely. I still have the old LoJack also, so I would hope to see the car stolen soon enough to call the police and ask LoJack to activate the transmitter.

I have to believe that most stolen cars are not towed. Besides, what thief isn't going to want to drive my WRX right away?