Why are you kidding? I've lived in NYC for 30 years. It's true. The reason I feel safe with my Passat parked on a South Bronx street in a not so nice area is because the bolt pattern on the wheels won't fit a Maxima or an Accord.
A few years ago in Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island:: all the Maximas were getting headlights ripped out in plain daylight. Infinitis, Acuras and Nissans would be found in the morning on milk crates with the sport wheels gone.
There are still a lot of "chop shops" around even after the crackdown in the mid 2000s. They are legitimate businesses (body shops) with a "backend illegal business."
I can drive 3 miles from here and get any part I need at rock bottom prices from "parts dealers." It's still quite prevalent.
In addition to my TDI (daily driver), I also own a 2015 Ford F150, supercrew. The new style, aluminum. About 4 months ago, I walked out of the house one morning to discover that someone had stolen the hood and the left front quarterpanel (light assembly). They did this between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., sitting in my driveway, with me at home.
The parts were less than $1,000, but labor (mostly paint matching) drove the total cost to $2,300 (insurance paid). The amazing thing to me, two people (minimum) risked their lives for parts that are less than $1,000. I am a gun owner, and a very good shot. And yes, I would have shot them dead on the spot. And they risked their lives for less than $1,000 ????
