2007 Cat Conv burglarized, 2013 Cat conv at risk?

Hello,

We own 2 Priuses - 1 Gen 2 2007 (picked up used private party 3 years prior), and 1 Gen 3 2013 (bought 6 years ago). We garage our 2013, but park our 2007 on the street in San Diego. On Tuesday this last week a thief (or group of thieves) vandalized/stole the converter of the 2007. The 2 bolts/ springs I found discarded after moving my new Harley (I mean Prius). Quoted $2800 off the cuff estimate (without looking at it) from a service center; I have a $2000 comprehensive deductible - so I'm in for $2000 likely. We are currently parking our Gen 3 outside (in a different location during travel) - have been told its (2013) cat conv much less likely to be vandalized/stolen. Is this true?

Has anyone purchased a CAT shield, with thieves STILL attempting to steal the catalytic converter? Wondering if purchasing a Gen2 and Gen3 shield is worthwhile or just Gen2 following repair.

My 2007 has 87000 miles and is in fair condition otherwise - KBB gives it a value of around $2300-3300. Is the 2007 Prius repair worth the outlay given its age? Alternatively an option could be to attempt to see if a dealer is willing to take on a turn-in for small trade-in value minus repair cost for a less targeted used conventional car (ie Yaris/Corolla hatchback) - I know this would cost alot more up front but worried this could be a recurring headache.

Unfortunately we only have one garage space.

Thanks,

 

Muffler shop tech....stated they see about 10 Gen 2s for every Gen 3. I'm still thinking to put the shield on both cars.

 

Yeah, thinking about that too - also thinking about repairing and trading in for a lesser targeted car for a 2nd car. Its alot more expensive though overall. Cockroaches.

 

Good points - this is a difficult decision - luckily (or unluckily for the car) for us, we are allowed telework, which means the cars are being used about 1/3 - to 1/4 as much this year. Age of the car does matter. Here's another question, is it worth to repair and try to trade in (or resell) or just salvage. KBB has trade in at $2800 and private party at $4000. Originally bought the car from a friends dad for $4500. Has 87000 miles on it (11,000 put on). On the other hand with a $2000 deductible, there won't be a good $2000 conventional car available. If I claim my deductible, my insurance will likely rise. My original plan was to keep the 07 Prius for about 5 years and then unload if/when it incurred a large repair. I had bought in Feb 2018 - and then this very ugly event. So it made it a little over half-way. I wouldn't think Corolla cat converters are stolen at the same clip at all. I like the Corolla hatchbacks but a newer used one with low mileage is still running $15,000 from a dealership. A neighbor down the street had same thing happen to his 08 but it had 220,000 miles on it - he salvaged and went to 1 car.

 

Has anyone installed a CAT Shield on Gen 3 themselves? We have access to a garage with an autolift (via military) and tool-set. Its been awhile since I've worked on cars - how long did it take you and any gotha's? We're looking at the CCM shields.

Muffler shops wont take the shield we bought for installation beforehand (want us to buy the unit and service together). Local shop quoted $350. The CCM shield was $160.