It’s not that shiny new Lexus that thieves like. It’s that 16-year-old Honda they prefer. That’s according to a list of the most frequently stolen cars compiled by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The non-profit’s spokesman says he’s not surprised that thieves like the Honda Accord most. “It’s a good car,” Frank Scafidi told MSN. “They sold a lot of them and they stay on the road for a long time. The people who own them tend to take care of them, so that creates a demand for parts. That’s why the thieves like them so much — it’s easy to sell their parts.”

The average age of the cars on the list is 12 years. The oldest? A 1991 Toyota Camry. The newest? The 2009 Toyota Corolla. So why are older cars often a good target for crooks? For one, they’re easier to steal, experts say. Manufacturers didn’t include as many theft deterrents as they do now. Also, they’re less likely to  have added features like tracking and disabling devices.

Scafidi told MSN that many drivers tend to drop comprehensive auto insurance when their cars get older, which he says isn’t necessarily a good idea. Comprehensive insurance will give you the value of the car if it’s stolen so if a thief gets it, you’re left with nothing if you don’t have comprehensive insurance. On a positive note, the report says car theft is down. “Most thieves are just people who want to get from one side of town to the other and can’t figure out the bus schedule,” he told MSN. “They’re looking for cars that have the keys left in them, are parked in a dark place or have been left running while the owner ran inside to get a cup of coffee.”

Here’s the NICB’s list of the most stolen vehicles of 2009:

1. 1994 Honda Accord
2. 1995 Honda Civic
3. 1991 Toyota Camry
4. 1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5. 2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6. 2000 Dodge Caravan
7. 1994 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)
8. 1994 Acura Integra
9. 2002 Ford Explorer
10. 2009 Toyota Corolla