Depending on the year:
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
I am in the South Mountain area, and see it online in the neighborhood app quite frequently. A good Security Camera if you own/rent a home might help as well, Apartments, it's going to be harder. Also have the VIN of the car engraved on the Catalytic converter. It then becomes worthless to try to sell because it is serialized.
I ordered my cat cover online, then went to darrel’s economy mufflers to get installed! It worked! It’s been a miracle. With my Prius, I know it would have happened again and again if not for this. I think it’s specific for Priuses though. This is the one I got: Cat Security - Catalytic Converter Protection shield, Fits - Toyota Prius 04-09 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D8ZSV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_28DTD6A5AMX7HKMDR7ND
There are other things you could install under your car that are intended to deter thieves without attempting to injure them. If you don't have the equipment to weld it yourself, your local auto body shop might help.
They sell them for the prius which get targeted and thieves just tear them down or cut through, with a reciprocating saw and/or angle grinder it isn't much of a deterrent.
This is just one model, I'm sure some version/brands are better than others but if it worth enough some metal isn't going to stop you.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
Thanks so much for your help, everyone!
Unexpected great news: It only costs $1k to get the cat & oxygen sensor replaced at my ~handy dandy honest local mechanic ~ here in Atlanta, Georgia.
Seems like a really good price... maybe they're using a refurbished cat?
Will buy and install this cat shield: https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
Just a Prius owner who already got jacked. Don't know the answers to you other questions but there is an aftermarket piece for the entire length but it costs significantly more. Another option would be a cat shield as a deterrent. FWIW my understanding is the 2nd gen will not throw a code but subsequent ones will.
all catalytic converters hold value. Prius' are the highest since they are hybrids they have a longer lifespan so the precious metals inside are worth more.
Mazda 3's in my opinion aren't great targets since they are low to the ground and harder to get to but that won't stop someone if they are really looking to taking it. If you're really worried about it you can by protectors for it such this (but obviously a mazda version): https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
I had my cat stolen off my Gen 2 Prius in January. When I got the cat replaced I also had a plate installed to deter thieves. Because I knew they would try again.
Here is the plate I ended up getting: https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8/ref=pd\_rhf\_ee\_s\_rp\_c\_2\_5/137-7896061-4138813?pd\_rd\_w=MBLmJ&pf\_rd\_p=ed7432a7-5bfd-4aea-a57f-bcb3545eb697&pf\_rd\_r=S0BTXK1DMXVXRP94N6Y4&pd\_rd\_...
They offer kits that cover your CC. Not sure how much but if they know they gonna make profit chances are it’s not cheap. Talk to dealership. Found this on Amazon . $200 is better than $2,100 plus damages caused by these A-Holes.
They make a beefier version you can bolt/weld to the underside almost like a skid plate, but for your converter. Those things will definitely deter a thief, but with enough time I'm sure they'd still try. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D8ZSV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_142X5WTG6NJVSQPZ87RZ
Pro tip: Walmart lets you charge your car free while shopping. Fred Meyer too. Perhaps only certain locations but I’ve seen them everywhere in WA except Renton Walmart.
Insurance: No one is paying me to tell you this. Get a cat cover ( https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8 ) to protect your catalytic converter.
PNW Hikes: Anything with a waterfall-go early. *Franklin falls is cool in fall and there’s a nice little train ride you can take (book ahead/take an Uber/have a beer).
*Bridal Veil Falls-pretty legit/easy hike (moderate but easy).
*Wallace Falls has terrible parking situation for anything after 10:00AM but nice little hike (I think it’s easy (there’s probably a rating guide somewhere) but we just did Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon Trail) in Phx/Scottsdale AZ)).
By the way, the Prius fallacy is something to lookup (those engines take a long journey to get to the US and then aren’t recycled). Is it really better for the environment? Debatable. Js.
there are countless aftermarket cages and products you can put around cats to slow down or deter theft. Autoparts stores and even Amazon has entire category called 'Cat Security' https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8 and its not pets.
Sorry to hear that, there are multiple types of cages like the one I've attached that will at least make it more difficult to steal.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
Something that may help: They make these cat shields for most makes/models which cost $100-$200.
May be worth the investment, especially for those who have had this happen at least once.
Our friends were one of the 100 vehicle owners hit in that spree. They sent us a link to a catalytic converter protector to deter thieves:
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
2004 to 2008 or so? This happened in west asheville over the summer.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087D8ZSV8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 will make it tough for them to get to it.
maybe something like this would help.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
Had mine stolen off my Prius last summer. Bought this one: https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
Had the dealership install it after they put my new Cat back on, which took like 3 weeks because of the demand.
I've had success thus far! Parked my car in the same spot - an off-street driveway that's in pretty plain site. Keeping my fingers crossed. Shit was a PAIN and of course I got hosed with Geico because I wasn't paying for the right insurance stuff. If you're legit worried, you can add comprehensive theft coverage if you don't already have it and potentially save yourself like a thousand bucks should this happen to you.
Good luck out there!
How does Google work?
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
Cheapest one I saw was Amazon at $160 free shipping.
Cat Security - Catalytic Converter Protection shield, Fits - Toyota Prius 04-09 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D8ZSV8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_0HVQNT13CB23QWDD356D?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Install a miller cat shield or CCW Cat shield when the new cat is put on.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
https://catshield.com/ - Miller cat shield
Check out the prius subreddit for details.
Make sure you get a cat cage installed. That will help with future thefts. Something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8
I have a 2009 Prius that had its catalytic convertor stole in Janurary. When it got stolen I knew it was a matter of time before it happened again. I ended up getting this:
I won't say it will stop a determined thief but it will at least stop the ones looking for a quick grab.
Get one of these:
Cat Security - Catalytic Converter Protection shield, Fits - Toyota Prius 04-09 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D8ZSV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RDRYRV7MQTW0GBE2M8N9
Not much help for you today, but here’s a link to the cat defender for any other Prius owners
https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Security-Catalytic-Converter-Protection/dp/B087D8ZSV8 is what I had installed. Ours was cleanly removed. No saws or nothing. Car was parked just out of range of the cameras.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D8ZSV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_9RG9JP7GT9XQMZSCY2AG. A protector is a great investment so it doesn't happen again. Sorry that happened to you
If you are one of those insanely rare individuals that has your catalytic converter stolen multiple times a year, you have two options: drive without one (bad option but if you must, just please for fuck's sake throw another muffler on somewhere upstream)... or better option: get a security kit - yes they exist, no I'm not shitting you.
They work much better than nothing, are cheaper than a replacement, and deter all but the most insanely desperate of thieves. A converter theft is a crime of opportunity: quick in and out. Anything you do that makes that in and out less quick makes the "in" part significantly less likely.
Buy it on Amazon, take measurements and return it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087D8ZSV8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2e7fFbT01SXWX