2006 Prius, 160K miles, catalytic converter stolen. What to do?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jamcyu, Feb 2, 2017.

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  1. jamcyu

    jamcyu New Member

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    Hey everyone,

    It's been a rough few months on my 2006 Prius, which I bought from my cousin for 2.5K in early 2016. Shortly after driving it down from Portland to Los Angeles, where I recently located, the triangle of death appeared. I paid 2K to fix the air compressor and some wiring. The mechanic who checked over my vehicle said everything looked in tip-top shape, and the car drove like a charm for a few weeks before...

    the catalytic converter was stolen (didn't realize it was a problem in LA until after mine was stolen). Apparently the wiring was torn up, too. Because CA has laws against the installation of non-oem/non-dealer catalytic converters, repairs range from $1500 upwards. I've been looking around for gray ways of sourcing repairs, which may bring the cost of it under $1000, but I know as a non-local with no great connections to auto mechanics who might be able to find an off-the-books solutions, it could be expensive to repair.

    For some reason my cousin told me the car is salvage, but there are no brands on my title, and I just ran a Carfax and the report came up clean.

    What do you recommend? What is the break point with regard to replacing the catalytic converter? I am wondering if I'm better of trying to sell this car "as is" on Craigslist, or if it's worth paying repairs, then selling it.

    Thanks much in advance for any and all advice here.
     
    #1 jamcyu, Feb 2, 2017
  2. 'LectroFuel

    'LectroFuel Senior Member

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    How many miles on the car?
     
    #2 'LectroFuel, Feb 2, 2017
  3. jamcyu

    jamcyu New Member

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    #3 jamcyu, Feb 2, 2017
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Insurance claim isn't feasible?
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Feb 3, 2017
  5. jamcyu

    jamcyu New Member

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    Liability only :\
     
    #5 jamcyu, Feb 3, 2017
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  6. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Usually thieves don't bother stealing cats from anything other than trucks and SUVs for the simple fact that its faster than jacking a car up and cutting it out from under a car that rides low to the ground. You could always part the expensive parts of the car out before junking it, and use the proceeds from the parts sales to fund another Prius.
     
    #6 CooCooCaChoo, Feb 3, 2017
  7. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Couldn’t you just buy used exhaust if aftermarket parts are illegal? Or maybe just replace catalytic converter with peace of pipe and drive it until next inspection time comes?
     
    #7 valde3, Feb 3, 2017
  8. DrRoboto

    DrRoboto Junior Member

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    Can't you drive it to the next state over and see what a muffler shop can do for you?
     
    #8 DrRoboto, Feb 3, 2017
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  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #9 JimboPalmer, Feb 3, 2017
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  10. PriusAndKeepingItCountry

    PriusAndKeepingItCountry New Member

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    So when my Prius cad was stolen i went to the junk yard and got a ford 460 motor for it and with little modification it mounted rate up.
     
    #10 PriusAndKeepingItCountry, Feb 3, 2017
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Any more details? Better find out what this'll cost too.

    Very frustrating situation!
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Feb 3, 2017
  12. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Probably just wiring to the rear oxygen sensor. Wiring is the part of oxygen sensor so if the oxygen sensor was stolen too then just replacing the sensor is all that’s needed. If the sensor is still there and wiring just take some damage damaged can be repaired or the sensor just replaced.
     
    #12 valde3, Feb 3, 2017
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  13. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    I bought the magnaflo cat system, had it shipped to a friend in Texas than he sent it to me in California. It's designed to cut and install yourself. My code was gone and the smog place never looked under the car. Basically 400 to do myself. Not the bend over California cost of 16-1700.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #13 audiodave, Feb 3, 2017
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  14. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #14 JimboPalmer, Feb 3, 2017
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  15. jamcyu

    jamcyu New Member

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    Hello everyone!

    Thank you for all the good advice. I'm still on the fence about repairing or selling the vehicle. I may have a cat shipped to me via a friend, or might try and sell as-is.
     
    #15 jamcyu, Feb 3, 2017
  16. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    Shouldn't be too hard to find a junkyard with 2nd gen Prii, just call and ask if they have 2005-2009s. If you can grab a cat off one that has less than 100k and was obviously totaled from an accident, it shouldn't be clogged up or have problems - would just need a jack, jack stands, a hacksaw, and maybe a basic set of socket wrenches to pull it. Then you could install it yourself, or have a muffler shop install it. Grab an O2 sensor or wire harness, etc. while at the junkyard too as needed.

    I won't address where you might have it installed for legality reasons.
     
    #16 Kevin_Denver, Feb 3, 2017
  17. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Can also just unbolt it from the muffler area and buy the entire piece. No cutting needed, just bolt back up.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #17 audiodave, Feb 4, 2017
  18. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Crazy considering it's running clean. Magnaflo has it built to California's legalities too. They just haven't approved it so people can keep bending over.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #18 audiodave, Feb 4, 2017
  19. jamcyu

    jamcyu New Member

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    Hey guys, quick update. I met with a friendly Prius chat member who looked over the car and gave me some solid advice as to what to do. At first I almost sold it to him as scrap / project, but after some talking with another friend, I've decided to buy an aftermarket cat and get a shop to make the installation.

    The plan is to let my roommate drive it around for a few months, then take it back up to the state it's registered in. I feel like I'm doing myself a disservice by taking the loss/quick money and not using this as a learning opportunity. As someone who has always inherited cars / been rather clueless about them, this has been an education. Anyway, thanks for all your help.
     
    #19 jamcyu, Feb 6, 2017
  20. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    In California it might be tuff finding a shop to do it. Cash no paperwork maybe.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #20 audiodave, Feb 6, 2017
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