Just bought my first PRIUS and catalytic converter got stolen first night.

This happens all over Los Angeles and to get this at the Dealer, it would be $2500+

Maybe you can report it to insurance? But then your worry would be it'll get stolen again

 

welcome!
battery will be next. ask your insurance agent what cars have the least crime problems.

 

Did they take everything from the muffler up to the header? Or leave the muffler?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Yeah what's your insurance coverage? Excuse the pun, but this would be a cut-and-dried case.

 

Just replace the one missing.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

So I assume no vandalism/theft insurance?

Regarding option number 3: I think I heard it's illegal to use a salvage CAT?

 

There's no real protection from people stealing cats, they cut them off with power tools in 30 seconds

 

In California, yes. Not sure if that is true in any other state, certainly not a problem in most states.

 

Now you guys tell us! How long has this been going on with Prius cars? This is the first I've heard about it. And the HV battery too. I'm an old guy, I don't need these worries in retirement.

WTH? That Corolla is looking better and better.

 

So what do they do with these stolen cats!? Do they sell them at salvage shops because I am pretty sure they ain't stealing it to put them in their prius.if they are being sold to salvage shops then why not try buying it from there!!!

 

I found an old story doing a Google search. Apparently, they sell it at a scrap metal place. Pickup trucks were also getting hit. They are also stealing some kind of metal from home AC units and selling it. And also stealing air bags, and reselling those.... but hell, they are all defective.

 

That's just such a huge Shame,i mean to make couple of bucks these animals would screw you big. You work you butt off and then you get some bum doing this to you is kinda horrible!

 

Being a gen 4 owner, you have some time. The California battery/cats thefts are occurring on older gen's from a combination of factors: failures of those parts, tough state regs, and owners who are more likely to buy used parts.

I remember as a kid of hearing about t-top thefts on corvettes becoming rampant. Story was since they were too costly and that already high insurance rates would skyrocket if a claim was made, a blackmarket theft economy was born that (sadly) created its own demand.

 

Sorry to hear your loss. I never thought catalytic converter is that valuable that someone steal just that. Grand theft auto, yeah you maybe able to prevent or at least deter it by using some anti-theft devices, but to protect catalytic converter from a chop-shop job, IDK how, other than moving away from such a high crime area of LaLa Land.

 

I agree, older Prius, like mine, run just fine (43mpg 497000miles)with the check engine light on, but you need a cat, every two years to pass the test. That is creating a market for cheap California Catalytic Converters. I recall a smog shop back in the 80’s employed some youths “recycling “ cats; The smog shop would cut yours out, the kids would cut it open, remove the clogged element and replace it with one cut down from say a failed Cadillac (that had a huge very expensive block of honey comb titanium in it) then weld it back together. When the smog shop re installed it and put the sniffer up the tailpipe all was good.
Much legislation since then and now we have to get OEM parts in CA. because Modification,is a crime called tampering ($25,000/ offense and license suspension) only the handy ex-convicted, and home mechanics have the know how and insolence to attempt it. I’ll bet if you talk to a few neighbors you’ll learn which smog shop in the “neighborhood” you need to go pay protection to. Be sure you report it and ask about donating to the law enforcement fund Home - Los Angeles Police Foundation be sure to put the sticker you get near the license plate. So it won’t happen again.
PS Welcome to LA


iPhone ?

 

Taller vehicles were the first major targets, as it was easier to slide under them to reach and cut off the cats.

 

is the platinum worth much?

 

Matter of fact it's more expensive than gold!!!