I am looking to come back to the fold, is cat theft worth passing Prius by?

Catnapping isn't really a thing for the G5 yet, and if you live on free soil it's only about a $200-300 liability.
That's not much of a consideration for a $35,000 eco-hatch.

If you live where crime is that rampant then I'd investigate the replacement cost for a rear window, since there's a much greater chance that you'll be replacing one of those....especially if you live in Texasass.
Handguns are much easier to sell that a freshly sawed-off cat.

Good Luck!

 

CAT theft is not a problem ONLY with Prius models.

 

Consider buying a pretty inexpensive Chevy Bolt. It has no cat!

.

 

My understanding is that the catalytic converter is higher up in the engine where it's harder to get to and it's not as easy as lifting the car (no one is squeezing under the 2023 prius) and taking a sawzall to it.

 

And they can fit under a G3?
In about 5-6 years the G5s will be a target for some catnappers as long as there are states that insist on a $1200 part when a $300 aftermarket part will work just as well.

Where there is a profit margin people with battery operated (or HAND operated) tools will get the parts they need - ESPECIALLY in places where there is no cash bail and where you get a parking ticket for 'minor theft.'

 

I assume Toyota has addressed the cat issue as best possible. Your other decision is that almost all Toyota's have a hybrid option.
We (would have gone with Prius v but they stopped selling it here) went with 2020 RAV4HV which has not seemed to show up on the popular cars for cat theft lists.

 

The cost of purchasing a CAT SHIELD (sold by Toyota as "Miller Cat") which costs approximately $250 plus the cost of installation, may be more of a "peace of mind" purchase. Especially if you do live in a large urban area. Looking back at news coverage of a few years ago, these types of thefts were rampant up and down California, particularly in the SF region.

Toyota cars such as the Tacoma, or any of their other lines that sit higher up off the ground could also be targets.

As ETC(SS) noted, because of the low ground clearance of a Prius, a thief could not possibly roll under the car and saw off the CAT. But what they have been known to do is to have a flat truck nearby and while you park your car in the lot and go inside, they will drive the flat truck up and hookup the Prius. Then they will drive to a chop shop and demolish the entire car for parts.

I live in the Atlanta area and according to FBI and local statistics for 20-21, Prius thefts (not necessarily GEN 5) do occur but not as frequently as they do for other kinds of cars.

Just sayin'...

 

I didn't see any response asking where you park your car at night..... If you park it on the street, there is obviously a higher percentage chance of something negative happening to it. We have quite a bit of cat theft where I live, but I park it in my garage so no issues.

 

Local news last night mentioned figures showing that cat theft in my state has declined 77%, and in a couple other (nearby?) states by better than 70%. This is believed in due in part to greater restrictions on scrap metal buyers, and in part on lower prices on the precious metals in cats.

A few weeks ago, I noted:

 

Yes that is one reason I have not added the cat shield as of yet but I eventually will. Probably when I get the first oil change.

 

cat theft is down - that's true .... yet last year was highest of all years -

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2023/08/16/catalytic-converter-theft-down/70579555007/#:~:text=California%20and%20Texas%20are%20the,)%20and%20Illinois%20(1%2C354.

so idk how reassuring it is that thefts are down comparred to the highest ever recorded theft year. sometimes perhaps we just have to call it a win

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I live in a somewhat rural area and my Gen 2 cat was stolen. Some people have had them stolen mid day. Have you seen videos of how it’s done? Super easy to get under a Prius. They just jack one side up and are done within minutes. I still worry it’s going to happen again. I had the dealership order the shield for the 2023 that was coming in but I was on the fence. Didn’t buy that particular Prius. Waiting on the next one and still thinking of getting shield for a temporary false sense of security. : }

 

In Texas it’s legal to shoot people for theft and trespassing. No parking tickets or get out of jail free for anything theft related.

That said, a friend had her gen2 parked next to her son’s police car in front of his house while the cop was home. The cat was removed in two minutes with a harbor freight jack and sawzall. The video showed a car with carmax paper plates. Five other cats were removed from the area that night.

So give me a break about lax state laws causing anything. Easy money and addiction is more like it.

 

I asked the dealer when i got my car. They said no need for cat shield on the prime only non prime.

 

Only seems to be a problem in blue states

 

... including Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Indiana, ...

 

He means because the people in red states are typically less scientifically sound and tend not to believe in things like global warming so they typically run catless systems and as the local governments are as uneducated as the populace they tend to have no enforcement. No cats, nothing to steal, less of a problem I guess

Before anyone has a hissy, I have lived in both florida and ohio, and know how they roll from real experience.

 

Most lawful gun owners will not shoot people for property crimes.
At most, they will drill some holes in the ground or the sky and make enough noise to scare away the perp.

This isn't about catnapping or guns.
It's about civil authority.

If you're going to fire warning shots btw, I advocate that you do NOT, unless you're forewarned and acknowledge ALL of possibilities!
If you 'fire shots into the air' then - you haven't been!

 

Most lawful gun owners will not shoot people for property crimes.
At most, they will drill some holes in the ground or the sky and make enough noise to scare away the perp.

This isn't about catnapping or guns.
It's about civil authority.

If you're going to fire warning shots btw, I advocate that you do NOT, unless you're forewarned and acknowledge ALL of possibilities!
If you 'fire shots into the air' then you haven't been.