Although I'm normally one for advocating against increasing penalties for crimes, I think automotive theft is one that has been unfortunately overlooked. It's all too easily dismissed, while other theft charges bring much more severe consequences.
Of course, judges aren't often in the business of buying and modifying Skylines, and if they were, would most certainly insure them. But that's why there's a significant lack of sympathy in the Courts, to them it's just a car that's been stolen - nothing more. No sentimentality, no association with existing solely for your car, nothing. And as far as they're concerned, if you have a $50k car without insurance and are not intellectually disabled, you've understood the risk that you face.