Stolen Catalytic converter

Wow read the whole thread. Lots of info.

Anyway, ironically eventually getting rid of this Prius will cause me to buy a gas car for other purposes. Mainly off roading, so either a Nissan truck 4x4, Subaru Outback or forester. Thanks you thieves! Turn lemons into lemonade. Prius and Tesla serve too many similar purposes.

 

I think rather than the Nissan 4x4 I would go for a Tacoma. So far my experience with Toyota products has been really good. Good design and good quality of build.
Nissan, well, I am less favorably impressed. It seemed like I was forever finding things under built: undersized bolts, self tapping screws where an actual tapped bolt would have been more appropriate, electrical connectors that just barely do the job and eventually over heat etc. Just a lot of extra small headaches.
However, your mileage may vary. There is a strong firmware hacking community out there for the Nissan and Mazda machines if you are into that. Or at least so I am told...

I have heard a number of field biologists and ecologists I work with say good things about the Outback and Forrester though I have no direct personal experience.

I am curious how you find getting parts for the Tesla? I have heard that is an issue since for a long time they could barely keep up with the demand for new cars. So setting parts aside for repairs was apparently not happening. Need a new fender? wait for weeks or months!

Pinback

 

Subaru's have both engine and CVT transmission problems that are exceptionally expensive to repair due to their closely placed and difficult to access parts that need to be serviced.

Nissan CVT's are likewise known to be problematic.

I'd stick to Toyota products.

 

I’d probably go Subaru Outback in the end. A truck is attractive but SoCal gas isn’t fun I still want to use this as my second car to absorb work miles. Tacoma jeeeeeez. Everyone holds on to them with good reason and the resell is $$$ for even an 8 yr old car. Heck look for 15yr old trd Tacoma and they’re still money. I prefer my second car to be under 10k and paid with cash. No way can I find a Tacoma for under 10k.


On the Tesla I have had my car seat motor and steering wheel worked on and parts weren’t the issue. It seems to have been sorted out.

 

Yeah, Those Taco trucks are a hot commodity for sure. The pandemic seems to have upped the prices too. Glad to hear parts are less of a problem with the Tesla cars now. That and cost were my reasons for hesitating. Well, there are other factors too that are more transitory. And the Prius is such a practical car all the way around. It is almost a small truck with all the space (but no towing capacity).

 

Tacomas may be overrated. They're the only Toyota vehicle I've seen that gets more of an average rating with Consumer Reports. I read somewhere in Consumer Reports that Ford trucks tend to last longer, not because they're more reliable, but because they're much cheaper to repair. I think there are reasons the F-150 is there most popular pickup (and I'm not a Ford fan).

But yes, I'd go for the Subaru too. They have a lot going for them. Some of their wagons get great safety reviews (IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus, perfect 5 start NHTSA rating and very low death rate history statistics), better than truck fuel mileage, still have SUV like capabilities and space and have the handling of a sedan.

 

You might want to get estimate on how much extra comprehensive adds to your monthly payment. You might be suprised how cheap it is.

Just called Progressive and was shocked that Comprehensive only added $6 extra for $100 deductible and $3 extra for $500 deductible

This above my liability but with Collision too it jumped $47 $45 respectively of course I have 200K 2004 Prius

The liability covers up to $25K Collision damage from non-insured driver or hit and run

 

Ever since I downgraded with USAA from comprehensive to minimum required under state law they keep changing/messing with the prices and I've yet to pay the $37 a month they quoted. So maybe you're right. But at this point I'm about to go into my 7th customer service call for the monthly price being wrong again so I'm a bit reluctant to create more problems rather than solve existing ones.

 

I hate USAA who I had years ago for banking and insurance. Nothing but problems especially auto insurance claim. Very difficult to work with their claims department. I remember numerous customer service calls as well.

 

so California will not allow a CARB approved cat as a replacement on a Prius?

 

When it comes to Prius there are no CARB approved cats other than OEM.

 

shows how much I know

Seems a must to have comprehensive coverage in CARB states so a cat theft is covered..or just skip it and get something other than a Prius

 

Nope, unfortunately. Not looking forward to getting a replacement beater but what ever.

 

Yah I know lol kicking myself on the foot for this one. My car was bought for 3k so I didn't see a need for one, but lesson learned. Living in a nice area in a nice neighbourhood is no protection. WOn't make that mistake again with my next car.

 

Others are getting hit too, just not at the same rate at the moment. Just wait until there aren't any more good Prius cats to take.

Before Prius, they were taking cats from high clearance vehicles, the ones they didn't need to jack up for access.

 

So far at least two people that I know of passed inspection with a cheap aftermarket $130 cat in California...

 

If uncovered, the smog inspection station risks losing their license in California. They might even risk prosecution.

 

I'll have to look into just comprehensive. For some reason I was getting quotes with both collision and comprehensive.

Of course here where I live dear damage is far more common than stolen catalytic converters.

On the other hand there's been people who had comprehensive and the car ended up being "totaled" from the catalytic converter theft. In other words the insurance agency hands you a few thousand dollars and takes your car. Or they give you less, you keep the car, but now you have to fix it and it's now got a salvage title.

Catalytic Convertor Stolen Even with Cat Shield | PriusChat

 

Lol... That may be true, but seeing as what state you're saying that from, there's no shortage of irony.

 

I had a friend who did smog inspections when I lived in California. I knew how difficult it was for him to get the license to do them and how expensive the machine was. He was exceptionally careful in doing the inspections and always feared of an identified state agent posing as a regular customer who might catch him in wrong doing. Every inspection was connected to the computer server in Sacramento

How many persons do you know, camper, who have done California smog inspections?