[disbelief]

This was surprising to me! I always figured my Zipcar wasn't much of a target for thieves because: It has a big Zipcar logo emblazoned on it (slows down turnaround of the car if you're trying to sell it), it has the custom Zipcard locking mechanism, which is tied into the car's alarm system, and each car has GPS in it, which you'd think would lead the cops right to them.

Wondering what use these cars are to thieves? Is it just a quick way to grab a ride somewhere (maybe out of town)? Are they actually selling these cars intact to people to be repainted/refitted and sold? Or are they sold for scrap/parts?

(edit: formatting)

[Nicholas_C]

I would guess they take it to a chop shop and sell it for parts, but I'm not sure how plausible that is since they have GPS (or maybe they all get caught). Perhaps the thieves know the cars have GPS and can disable it in some way before they get to the chop shop.

[disbelief]

Maybe a chop-shop with a drive-in faraday cage?

[gavazzy]

Maybe they wrap the whole car in chainmail on the side of the road