How to Secure Your Stolen Ride: Getting Cars into Your Garage in GTA
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So, you’ve just pulled off the perfect heist, snagging a sweet ride off the streets of Los Santos or Blaine County, and now you’re wondering, “How do I make this baby mine?” The key to keeping your newly acquired vehicle in Grand Theft Auto V, be it in Story Mode or Online, lies in understanding the garage mechanics and the need for insurance and trackers in GTA Online. This article will guide you through the process, ensuring your prized stolen possessions don’t vanish into thin air.
The short answer is that in both GTA 5 Story Mode and Online, to store a stolen car you simply need to drive it into your garage. This acts as its storage point, saving the vehicle, ensuring it is available for your character the next time you want it. However, in GTA Online, merely parking a stolen car in your garage isn’t enough to truly claim it as yours. You need to follow that up by visiting Los Santos Customs. We’ll break all that down in more detail.
Securing Your Stolen Car: A Step-by-Step Guide
Story Mode
In Story Mode, putting a stolen car in your garage is a relatively straightforward process.
- Find your target: Any car you spot on the streets is fair game. Simply jack the car, and it’s yours for now.
- Drive to Your Garage: Head back to the garage associated with your current character (Franklin, Michael, or Trevor).
- Park and Save: Park the stolen car inside the garage. Once it’s in, the game will automatically save its position there. This effectively saves the vehicle for future use. The car will remain available for you, unless it is destroyed, in which case it will be gone permanently.
GTA Online: Claiming Ownership
GTA Online adds an extra layer of complexity to claiming a stolen car. Here’s what you need to do:
- Steal Your Ride: Find the car of your dreams (or your immediate needs) and steal it.
- Drive to Your Garage: Head over to your personal garage.
- Park Inside: Drive the vehicle into an empty spot within your garage. This will save the car.
- Visit Los Santos Customs: This is a crucial step. Take the car you just saved to Los Santos Customs.
- Purchase a Tracker: Inside Los Santos Customs, find the option to install a tracker. This is what truly ties the car to your account. It usually costs a moderate amount depending on the vehicle you have stolen.
- Buy Insurance: Lastly, purchase insurance for your newly acquired car. This will ensure you don’t permanently lose the car if it gets destroyed.
- Enjoy your Car: With both tracker and insurance installed, the car is now legally yours. You can modify it, upgrade it, and use it as much as you like.
Important Considerations
- Garage Space: Each character in Story Mode and each player in GTA Online has a limited number of garage slots. Plan accordingly to keep all your stolen cars.
- Insurance in Story Mode: Cars in Story Mode do not have insurance, so if they get destroyed they are gone. They will not return to your garage.
- Impound: In GTA V, if you lose a car on the street for whatever reason, it might turn up at the police impound. It will cost you some money to reclaim the vehicle. In GTA Online, if your car is impounded, you can steal it back at the cost of a 2 star wanted level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I sell stolen cars?
Yes, you can sell stolen cars, but only at Los Santos Customs. They are the only place that will buy stolen vehicles. Remember, the sale value is significantly lower than the cost of buying a car. Some cars, however, like the Sandking and Dominator have higher value once modified and are good for quick cash.
2. What happens if I just leave my stolen car somewhere in GTA 5 Story Mode?
In Story Mode, the car will remain where you left it unless it gets destroyed. There is no insurance, and vehicles do not automatically return to your garage, except when a new vehicle is brought out and the original is teleported back.
3. What kind of cars can I steal and keep in GTA 5?
Most cars can be stolen and kept, but some are more valuable than others. The Sultan, F620, and Felon/Felon GT are good examples. Pre-modified cars like the Dominator, Sandking, and Sabre Turbo are also highly sought after.
4. Can I store a tank in my garage?
No, tanks cannot be stored in regular garages. Tanks must be stored in hangars.
5. Is there a limit to how many cars I can store in my garage?
Yes, there is. In Story Mode, each character has their own garage with limited space, and this also applies in GTA Online. You can, however, purchase additional properties that come with garage space in GTA Online.
6. Can I get my stolen car back if it is impounded?
Yes, in Story Mode you can pay an impound fee to get your impounded vehicles back. In GTA Online you can steal the vehicle back for the cost of a 2 star wanted level.
7. Do stolen cars disappear from my garage if I don’t use them?
No, as long as a stolen car is saved in your garage, whether in Story Mode or Online it will remain there indefinitely, unless destroyed.
8. Why did my car disappear from my garage in GTA 5?
Usually, cars don’t disappear from your garage in Story Mode, except if they get destroyed or if you overwrite them with another car. In GTA Online, if the car was stolen and not insured, then if it is destroyed it is gone. Ensure your vehicles are insured in GTA Online.
9. Can I customize stolen cars?
Yes, once a stolen car is secured in your garage (and tracked and insured in GTA Online), you can take it to Los Santos Customs to customize it with modifications, paint jobs, etc.
10. What is the fastest car to steal in GTA 5 Online?
While there is no specific car that is faster to steal, many players opt for high-value cars like the Lampadati Felon GT for quick cash. For the fastest car in game currently, the BF Weevil Custom is the fastest car with a top speed of 137.5 mph.
11. Is there a difference between storing a car in my house garage vs. a bought garage?
No, in both Story Mode and Online, the function is the same: to securely store vehicles.
12. Can Trevor store cars at the Vanilla Unicorn?
Yes, but with limitations. On the side of the Vanilla Unicorn building where Trevor’s Bodhi spawns, you’ll find 5 parking spaces. You can store 2 cars here and nothing more. Any more than that will simply disappear.
13. Can I store a stolen police car in my garage?
Yes, you can store a stolen police car in your garage, just like any other stolen vehicle, although they cannot be customised, or sold.
14. Are there any money cheats for GTA 5 Online to get rich quick and not have to steal cars?
Unfortunately, there are no money cheats in GTA Online. Players must earn their in-game money, or purchase it with real-world money.
15. What is the best car to steal for quick cash in GTA 5?
While many cars can provide some cash, the Lampadati Felon GT is a good option for quick cash (around $9,500), and pre-modified cars like the Dominator and Sandking can be sold for more after upgrading.
By following these steps and understanding these nuances, you’ll be well on your way to building an enviable collection of stolen cars in Grand Theft Auto V. Happy stealing!