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My Gen 3 Prius catalytic converter was stolen in October of 2022

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Frankeenfurter, Mar 11, 2023.

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  1. Frankeenfurter

    Frankeenfurter New Member

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    Hi all,

    I was just wondering, my Gen 3 Prius cat was stolen in October of 2022. The Toyota dealer tells me it could be another 2 or 6 months wait for the part. I mean, it has already been 6 months!!! Is this normal? He did go on to tell me that they have over 250 cars (mostly Prius) waiting for the same thing. I mean, this has completely devastated me as I was using my car for work. I'm also curious if I should invest in a cat cage or hire a welder to weld some bars over it? Out of curiosity I did ask the dealer how much they would buy it off of me. 5500 was the offer. It is a 2011 Prius 2 with about 112k miles on it.

    I'm on the fence as I do like this car, but I'm just hearing about 2nd and 3rd time thefts. Absolutely ridiculous that this is happening to everyone and almost everywhere. I am in LA. Should I sell it? Is 5500 a good deal?

    Thanks
     
    #1 Frankeenfurter, Mar 11, 2023
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  2. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    If the car is otherwise good shape you may be able to get a MagnaFlow catalytic converter sooner and a little cheaper (they are CARB certified for use in CA), and keep the car for a long time. If you opt to sell it then I think you can get least 50% more than what the dealer offered in a private sale. If you keep it I would definitely get a stainless steel shield for it. I just had one installed myself and feel a lot better.
     
    #2 mikey_t, Mar 11, 2023
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  3. Frankeenfurter

    Frankeenfurter New Member

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    Did you buy one from this link? Did you also install it? I checked Magnaflow and the price of the direct fit is more than what the dealer is going to charge me. I'm looking to be compliant as I do need a smog.
     
    #3 Frankeenfurter, Mar 11, 2023
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    If you got friends outside California you can order a replacement cat that aren't allowed to be sold in California for a little more than $100 and it only takes an hour or two to install and then you can wait to get an OEM or MagnaFlow for when you have to get your vehicle inspection.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Mar 11, 2023
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  5. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    Magnaflow is NOT cheaper than OEM.
    You MAY be able to get it sooner...
     
    #5 AzusaPrius, Mar 11, 2023
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  6. mikey_t

    mikey_t Active Member

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    I purchased from and had my cat shield installed by HybridPit in Buena Park. They do good work there. Though I'm sure any local mechanic will install it for you for a reasonable price.
     
    #6 mikey_t, Mar 11, 2023
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  7. Frankeenfurter

    Frankeenfurter New Member

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    My tags expired in January. I need a smog to get current registration so it has to be a CA certified cat. Thanks the thoughtful input though.
     
    #7 Frankeenfurter, Mar 11, 2023
  8. zamboni2354

    zamboni2354 Member

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    Any chance you could let me know the dealer you went too? I was about to list my Prius when the converter was stolen. I'd rather not wait 6 plus months to get it fixed before selling it when I'd be more than happy to take a reduced amount and pocket the insurance money for the converter.

    thanks
    jeff in long beach.
     
    #8 zamboni2354, Jun 1, 2023
  9. black_jmyntrn

    black_jmyntrn Senior Member

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    #9 black_jmyntrn, Jun 8, 2023
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  10. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Try Art's Automotive. He has them in stock as of May 18.
    What can we do about catalytic converter theft?

    The Magnaflow one will look like this:

    Magnaflow Gen 3 carb boxed.jpeg

    If you can get one, it will only work, if the thief did not damage the exhaust preheater, and you car looks similar to this one, where the cat was cut off.

    219339_2015priuscatjack.jpeg
     
    #10 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 8, 2023
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2023
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  11. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Wow... That sure is alot shorter in length than Gen2... It's a huge hassle when your aftermarket cat is even just a tiny bit shorter than it needs to be.
     
    #11 PriusCamper, Jun 8, 2023
  12. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    This is what a Gen 3 prius cat looks like when stolen acn cut out of the car by a thief.

    Gen3 Prius 2.jpg
     
    #12 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 8, 2023
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