Catalytic Converter Stolen

[pdq]

Paul F. wrote:
[quote=pdq]
This is so stupid.

They really need to...I dunno...stamp the VIN into every catalytic converter, and make it illegal to sell or buy one where the VIN has been defaced.

They're not SELLING the Cat... they're tearing it apart and salvaging the platinum in it. So, the VIN won't do any good.
So, make buying or selling the beads (or whatever) inside illegal unless you're licensed. I doubt these low-lifes are chemically extracting the platinum and selling it on the bulk metals market.

Like I said, I dunno. I just feel like there hasn't been enough effort put in against this practice, which is not only illegal (obviously) but wildly asymmetric in the cost to the victim and the profit to the thief.

[mikebw]

Having my Prius parked in front of my house has been the source of some concern, however it does have full insurance which would provide for a replacement, I've already asked.

I have thought it would be fairly easy to fasten a few bricks/blocks to the road beneath the car exactly where the cat is located. They would occupy the entire space between the car and the road, and thus would make it impossible to access the cat without moving the car. Of course, if the car is gone then the blocks become a road hazard.

Maybe park it spanning a speed bump?

[jdc]

Thought about this a few times, although less now that I live in a safer hood.

Ive seen the covers for $200 or so, but thinking there has to be a less expensive way?

[chopper]

Exhaust shops here won't make a replacement pipe to go in place of the cat as the EPA fine is $400k if caught they say. This is suck.

[Rick-o]

Definitely a suck situation.

Move to a better neighborhood!

[GGD]

mikebw wrote:
however it does have full insurance which would provide for a replacement, I've already asked.

That's the part I've been wondering about, would this fall under "comprehensive coverage".

And if it's the insurance companies that have been paying out for all of this I would think they would be pushing for some sort of solution to deter this and eliminate the recycling value.

[graylocks]

i'm contemplating relocating to the SF Bay Area for a year. I'd probably take my Honda Element instead of my Volt and I began to speculate about the cat problem. sure enough, Elements are prime targets. i'll probably look into getting a cage or something installed before i go. And keeping comprehensive I guess.

[mikebw]

GGD wrote:
[quote=mikebw]
however it does have full insurance which would provide for a replacement, I've already asked.

That's the part I've been wondering about, would this fall under "comprehensive coverage".

And if it's the insurance companies that have been paying out for all of this I would think they would be pushing for some sort of solution to deter this and eliminate the recycling value.
Along those lines- I also asked if they had any sort of rebate or incentive program for me to have a cage installed, which makes a TON of sense to me, but they said no. I guess they have calculated that cages are no effective enough for them to endorse using?

[jdc]

graylocks wrote:
i'm contemplating relocating to the SF Bay Area for a year. I'd probably take my Honda Element instead of my Volt and I began to speculate about the cat problem. sure enough, Elements are prime targets. i'll probably look into getting a cage or something installed before i go. And keeping comprehensive I guess.

Well, "SF bay area" is kinda broad, its the size of Delaware.

Lots of places I would assume are pretty safe, others, no way.

[Article Accelerator]

chopper wrote:
Someone cut the cat off my sweet beater van--1994 Dodge

That's your fault for upgrading from your 1971 station wagon, chopper. Never upgrade!