An Automobile That's A Real Steal

By Barbara Kiviat

It's a dubious honor: the 1995 Saturn SL is the car most likely to be stolen, according to a survey released last week by insurance-industry tracker CCC Information Services. Coming in at No. 2 is the 1998 Acura Integra, while the 1994 Saturn SL ranks third. Others in the top 20: Mitsubishi Montero, Honda Civic and Accord, Acura Legend, Toyota Camry and Chevrolet Tahoe. The most commonly filched cars were all made in the 1990s. Why? Ed Sparkman of the National Insurance Crime Bureau thinks newer autos are less attractive to thieves since carmakers now include better antitheft devices. Consumers looking for postfactory theft prevention have a variety of choices, including steering-column collars and tracking devices.

--By Barbara Kiviat