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Catalytic Converter cut, but not stolen - question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Acehigh1, Apr 22, 2022.

  1. Acehigh1

    Acehigh1 Junior Member

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    My 2007 Prius with 170,000 with original Cat was cut in a botched heist. I am on the east coast and my son - who is doing a physician residency in Vegas and was using the car - thought the Cat was stolen b/c of the typical sound. I had it towed to Toyota dealer who said the front was cut off but they could not get the rear bolts out (rusty) so they stripped the heads and ran. Spoke to Toyota dealer who said a new OEM is $3650 and a new anti-theft Cat Cover is an addn'l $565. Way too much money for a car that old and with those miles...but then he told me that the Cat is still there - but they cannot work with "refittings". He said the Cats look fine but the pipe in front is cut, O2 sensor cut out and rear flange w/bolts needs replacing b/c of the extensive rust. Can this not be retrofitted at a muffler shop for substantially le$$? I would like to have the original salvaged and a sleeve welded to the front and new rear blots and bracket installed, along with new O2 sensor. Is there something I should be aware of that might make this solution not a viable one? Also, if anyone knows of any good shops in Vegas (son is in South Summerlin area) where the "fix" could be accomplished, I would greatly assist. Being 2800 miles away I cannot be there to assist. Thanks.
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    When a stealership says they can't work with "refittings" what they're really saying is boss won't allow them to be helpful and save the customer money because they're in the business of ripping people off as much as possible.

    This is like a $100 job at any Muffler shop... Just weld a coupling onto the pipe where it was cut and replace the bolts. And if you have a friend who does welding it'll be even cheaper, like 6 pack of beer cheap, as it only takes 10 minutes of work once you get the car up in the air.
     
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  3. ColoradoCrow

    ColoradoCrow Active Member

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    Yes. A muffler shop should be able to do that no problem. And invest in a good Cat shield for the future. Congratulations on his residency. My daughter hope to be an Orthopedic surgeon so I’m in for a similar trip and a lot of college bills. LOL.
     
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  4. alftoy

    alftoy Senior Member

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    Maybe Asian Imports
    10177 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135, United States
     
  5. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    Try a muffler shop.

    It's hard to say for sure what is, or is not needed.
    Without pictures, it's just guessing.

    He should also get a cat shield.
    Imho, MillerCat is the one that I suggest.


    Good Luck!
     
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  6. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Forget the cat shield, instead sell that cat and replace with an oem version (first check if allowed in State where car is registered). You'll likely net yourself $1000.Search this forum for aftermarket cat - there are plenty threads that detail such a replacement. Make sure to get an oem O2 sensor.
     
  7. Acehigh1

    Acehigh1 Junior Member

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    Well, my insurance opted to pay the Toyota dealer $3400 and I pay the $250 deductible for a brand new Cat assembly. I ordered the MillerCAT SS Cat Shield Kit (comes with the deadbolt) for $360 and they shipped it to the dealer and they will put it on for 1 hr's labor rate, so I figure it will cost me around $500-525 for the MillerCat installed. I am 2800 miles away, so I would have had that into a muffler shop so fast with the cat converter still dangling, by distance dictates. My son had no time to diddle with it, as he starts surgery at 4am and works to 12 noon and then on call until 8pm from Mon-Sat, so impossible to be directly involved. I bought the Prius brand new and always took care of it and flipped it to my son last year, so hopefully it will last for his 3-yr residency now in Houston Texas in Neurology. I would have rather put the $4000 toward a new car, but that buys little these days, so the Prius will hopefully be good for 3 more years. Thx for all of your feedback. Cheers.
     
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  8. Acehigh1

    Acehigh1 Junior Member

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    Roger, I asked the Toyota dealer to put the old Cat in the car and when I go out in 7 weeks to help him move from Vegas to Houston, I would like to sell it somewhere to recoup the $810 I had to pay for the deductible and MillerCAT. I have police report, and all sorts of info to show it was vandalized, so they can't look at me as the thief. Any suggestions as to where these Cats are being sold to - salvage wise?
     
  9. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Acehigh1, in my opinion if you're replacing with an aftermarket cat, no point in spending a dime on a cat shield. If it was me, I'd cancel if still possible. If you find a way to DM me or post your email, I'll send you some info on where I sold mine.
     
  10. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    Huh?
    Aftermarket catalytic converters also get stolen. Especially if it's a CARB certified cat.
    Code:
    https://www.reddit.com/r/Cartalk/comments/rsirw0/aftermarket_catalytic_converter_stolen/
    Aftermarket catalytic converters may not be "worth as much", but that does not mean "worthless".
    Many thieves "ain't the sharpest tool in the shed".
    Can you tell an aftermarket CARB certified cat from the cheaper cats, within a few seconds, in the dark, while rushing to not get caught?

    Imho, for the cost, a cat shield is good insurance.
     
    #10 prius16, Apr 22, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2022
  11. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    To each their own. I didn't say aftermarket cats don't occasionally get stolen - we've discussed that before in other threads. However, I'm willing to take the risk with a $130 cat. Mark it as NOT OEM with bright paint if possible. Mine has the aftermarket clamp which is another indication that it's not original.

    Try get rid of an aftermarket Cat at a scrap yard - you'll find out they are pretty much worthless.
     
    #11 rogerthat, Apr 22, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2022
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  12. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    If he is going to Houston, he will be in the "car theft capital of the world." I know from having lived there.
     
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  13. rogerthat

    rogerthat Active Member

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    Hmm, well in that case maybe it's worth it. I'd probably still roll the dice, but it is your son, after all!
     
  14. Classic Car Guy

    Classic Car Guy Active Member

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    I have a question. If you put this in your insurance, doesn't you premium get affected or like go up?
    I had my catalytic, oxygen sensor replaced and install a guard. Total I spent parts and labor no more than $400.00. If youre interested I can give you all the compete items and where to get it.
     
  15. prius16

    prius16 Active Member

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    What is a legal cat replacement, also depends on where the car is registered. Since, the car has to pass the emission laws of that State.
    I assume that the car is registered in NH. Like other States, NH may allow for out of State testing, under certain circumstances (like in the Military).

    I checked, NH is the only New England State that has not adopted the CARB standards.
    Code:
    https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/states-adopt-california-car-rules-amid-national-standards-debate
    That's kinda surprising.
    LIVE FREE OR DIE!
    (The NH State Motto, btw :))
    State_quarter_for_New_Hampshire.jpg




    Actually, I'm more surprised that Maine, with it's 35 full time State Residents ;), and 4 Trillion square acres of land, is a CARB State.
    Honestly people, if you travel to Maine, the only full-time residents are the Governor, One State Trooper, and 33 snow plow operators. :D
    Btw, Acadia National Park in Maine: awesome trails, good hiking.
    Imho, for hiking, I'll still take the White Mountains in NH, over anywhere else. (y)
     
  16. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Good move. I’m amazed the insurance company let you keep it.
     
  17. Another

    Another Senior Member

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  18. Another

    Another Senior Member

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  19. Acehigh1

    Acehigh1 Junior Member

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    The Prius has the NH Plates on b/c my son's training was temporary status in Las Vegas (PGY1) after graduating med school in Boston and going to Houston for 3-yr residency in Neuro this June. I gave him the Prius b/c I thought no one would bother it, as it is a 2007. First indication that something was odd was he was paged by hospital security to come with them and they showed him the car up on two jacks - right in the hospital parking lot in mid-afternoon about a month ago. Security came out and the bandits ran. So he started parking right outside the Emergency entrance and no problem. He lives 8 miles from the hospital in a gated apartment complex, and the attempted swipe happened right in front of his apartment inside the gated community in Summerlin. He never spent the time crawling under and knew by the sound it was most likely swiped. The ins co - in Maine - said they hadn't had claims in Vegas for this by any NH residents, so were letting me decide where I wanted it taken to, so I asked that it be towed to the Toyota dealer. If for no other reason, they could assess any other damage possibly.

    The dealer finished taking off the full cat assembly and took pics of the car and all it would need, with an asterick for "possibly more items after full diagnostic is done". That cost was $3600 and my insurance called me and told me it was approved, with the caveat that additional charges may still come in. I was so stunned I literally said, "wow, your sure you want to do this?" as it crossed my mind "give me half ($1800) and I'll go get a generic one on", but that is just my Yankee pragmatic attitude. She said it was either satisfying the claim, or not, so take it or leave it and not file the claim. With the weekly rental car they supplied, as well, it is easily around $4000, and that is why I thought they were going to total it, and scrap out the car to get their money back. It was ony after lengthy discussion that I found out the old full cat assembly was still there! That is when I asked the SA to put it in the car, and he agreed. The plan was that I fly out to Vegas in 7 weeks and drive the car to Houston, as my son only has 3 days between one training segment and starting the next. At least I will be able to check it out well. It has 170,000 miles but I took care of it and had it garaged for most of its life. Should have 50K more miles in it I am hoping.

    Thanks to all those with great feedback. At least this cat-cut-crap isn't happening here in NH - yet. Good luck thieves, as this is the Live Free or Die State. Any state that puts death in its license plate doesn't mess around. Keeping the Peace...with an adequate Piece at the ready at all times. Cheers. [​IMG]
     
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  20. ColoradoCrow

    ColoradoCrow Active Member

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    Yup. I agree. I have green tip in a mag on a Supressed SBR ready. Mine parks in the driveway under 2 NV security cameras. And I framed the cameras to catch enough of the side of the car when they try to Jack it up. Colorado has a straight shot to Mexico so Cat theives. Cut 25 out a night and drive south all night to sell in Mexico the next morning.