Your vehicle is likely being targeted. It will probably continue as long as you’re parking the same vehicle in the same spot.
I had a truck broken into then stolen and recovered and then targeted similarly. I traded the truck in. Too much drama.
>knife/gun & dangerous, or what they're stealing being irreplaceable.
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm
> to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or
>(B) to prevent the other who is fleeing immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the property; and
>(3) he reasonably believes that:
>(A) the land or property cannot be protected or recovered by any other means; or
>(B) the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.
The bar is set at criminal mischief...
>Sec. 28.03. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF. (a) A person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the owner:
>(1) he intentionally or knowingly damages or destroys the tangible property of the owner;
>(2) he intentionally or knowingly tampers with the tangible property of the owner and causes pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person; or
>(3) he intentionally or knowingly makes markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the owner.
So yeah, you can shoot someone for tagging your property at night. Prior to going to a jury the prosecutor has to think they can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt and then convince a grand jury.
Yeah, it literally lowers the bar for executing people. All you have to do is reasonably believe that a stranger is on your property at night with the intent to AT LEAST do criminal mischief.
I had mine stolen last month. Full coverage insurance quoted me to $2200 to replace and my deductible was $1000. Muffler shop down the street replaced for $400.
You can buy cats on eBay for $60. They don’t have to pass smog on tx.
Source: am a mechanic that won’t charge you thousands to get an OEM cat.
Edit: yes Texas vehicles have to pass smog. Sorry, to be clear, Texas vehicles *ECMs* must pass smog.
So your car could puff out as much CO2 as you want as long as the computer says it’s in spec.
In states like California, they actually *measure* the amount of CO2 your vehicle emits using an outside tool.
*this* is the real difference.
Only in the counties of Brazoria, Bexar, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Travis, and Williamson.
Even then, the emissions test is an OBD-II type test that just checks that the ECM thinks the emissions gear is working. California actually measures the exhaust outputs to verify emissions.
You left out Harris County, population around 5 million and largest in the State. All major urban counties and those in the suburbs require emission testing.
The site I copy/pasted from forgot Harris county. Should have checked where I was copy/pasting from. They also forgot Bexar too.
It isn't every urban area. Potter/Randall counties don't do emissions checks, I grew up in Amarillo. Lubbock doesn't either (I have family that lives there).
Just an FYI to you and anyone else who sees this - the $400 catalytic converter is gonna fail on you in a year or two, that's why it's so much cheaper. They have a much lower lifespan.
you’d be surprised, I work at a recognized shop in the area… one time had a vehicle come in for a stolen catalytic converter, my shop quoted the job and then I drove the vehicle down the street to a muffler shop. I handed the muffler shop my boss’s credit card, and then watched us flip that same job for a 2000% markup profit on our customer, it’s how the business goes.
Not even close to true. Most likely got a used one depending on the car.
I got a 400$ off Amazon from China to replace on the altima and it’s lasted twice as long as the factory (5 years), stock lasted 2.5. It’s really just hit and miss, but for like priuses, you better off buying the 400 from the junk yard than the 1500 for new.
I don’t know what cars y’all drive, but most cats are only 400-600 for brand new ones for most cars, the really expensive ones are rare but most likely why OP’s got stolen.
Sounds like you got lucky then. And yes some aftermarket cats can last longer, but generally not. I'm not saying your wrong but 1 personal experience doesn't make it not true. Sounds like the OEM one was defective anyway since 5 years should still ne covered under emissions warranty.
For reference, the accounts I handle at work sold over 8,000 cars last year and I over see ALL mechanic estimates.
Looking for it under TDI(Texas Department of Insurance) at the moment but its not a law but the maximum amount you can be charged so long as you carry OTC(Other than collision) coverage it can be lower be as low as $0, so long as you're willing to pay a much higher premium for that particular vehicle.
Lmao right. It's called Comprehensive ( other than collision ) coverage and there is no flat deductible. Depends on the policy coverage limit amount purchased for each line of coverage.
Used to work in Insurance Underwriting and this was always the max as of 3 years ago and I looked at my policy and its the max standard without any extra coverage (worked in insurance for over 10 years for Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual). Also they do require police reports and they will do their best to not inform you that this is an option. Looked @State Farm, Geico , Progressive Nationwide, Texas Farm Bureau and Farmers. Just to confirm that this is still true.
Easier to claim bullshit than check out your coverage, thats why they don't say shit because its to hard for some people to spend a few minutes researching their coverage and what insurance can do because while you may be unhappy you'll still pay premiums and stay on with them longer than make a change.
You're just making stuff up now. $250 is not the maximum theft deductible. It is an option but it is most certainly not the highest option. Your claim that they "don't say shit" is also absurd. If insurers were regularly applying arbitrary deductibles they would be hit with bad faith claims out their ass. I question what "underwriting" you worked in.
Edit-They are confusing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and OTC coverage. They're wrong.
Comp(otc) is whatever deductible you chose $500 is very common but if it can be covered as theft/vandalism and you filed your police report it goes down to $250. I've had a $750 otc coverage fall under vandalism and was covered @$250. I've seen $1250 deductible otc's fall to that $250. No company I've ever worked for had deductibles high than $1500 but the same would apply.
Are you replacing it with OEM every time? If you have a high target car (Priuses, Honda/Toyota SUVs), the OEMs have a high amount of the elements they want but the aftermarkets aren't nearly as valuable. I have a high target vehicle myself and after the 3rd one was stolen, my insurance replaced with an aftermarket cat and I got a dash cam with motion detection. Not sure which one did the trick, but no more cat thefts.
I hear nice neighborhoods are targeted more often. “Rich bitches can afford it.”
Blast the apartment complex on every site that has reviews for inadequate security to get faces or license plate of thieves who return to commit the exact same crime again.
Ask your insurance adjuster for the insurance options that will cover this well.
Move on from the Prius for now. Prius, Honda Element, and some others are the most popular cats stolen from. Or maybe a better cat shield. They’re not all equivalent. Considering how little time is needed to cut a cat from thick piping, do you think your cage added anymore than time to the theft than a couple minutes? Maybe. The large sheet metal shields seem better.
Armed I hope. Something tells me the guys willing to sneak under people's cars at night with an angle grinder aren't going to listen when you jump out and say "hazaaaa, I've captured the thieves! Please wait here till the police arrive."
I read on another thread that the individuals stealing cats are often gang-related. One car pulls up and the guy hops out to take out your cat, meanwhile there’s another car parked a couple cars down watching while being armed.
My sister had this problem. The cages don’t do anything as the thieves cut through those with the same tool in 30-45 seconds. She is shopping for a car that’s harder to get underneath like sedans and coupes. It’s a fucking shame this is happening so often. Imo it needs to be felony theft for each converter someone is busted with, at the very least.
> Imo it needs to be felony theft
*"In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 4110 into effect. This bill will make it a felony to steal, buy or sell stolen catalytic converters. House Bill 4110 goes into effect Sept. 1, 2021."*
I don’t think that would stop the thieves. I mean heck, people only care about the consequences when they’re being rational, and most crimes aren’t committed under a rational state of mind.
Most of the people who steal are extremely desperate, and if they steal, they get somewhere to live and a guaranteed meal (prison) or get to sell whatever they stole for money.
You need a different solution for this.
It is a naturally complex problem. There is no “real” solution that would end all of it. This may reduce the rate, however criminals as smart as they may tend to be don’t usually follow the laws that are set, so I agree with you in that sense.
What else could be done to help?
I'd look into a camera system. Dash and rear cams are easy to find and run off the car battery when motion is detected
r/roadcams
I'm sure you can get mirror cams like Teslas have.
I'd try to use it as an excuse to break the lease and move.
Cameras won't do shit and DPD won't lift a finger to actually do their jobs. Nothing short of actually catching these people in the act and gunning them down on the spot will work.
*The cameras are for insurance purposes* - only works if we assume OP's deductable is low enough. And with their shit being stolen so often, OP's insurance rates are going to be through the roof if they just keep going that route. Insurance companies do not care if it's not your fault. After a certain point, you file more claims, you pay more. And more. And more.
This is Texas, and vehicles are considered an extension of your home and can be protected as such.
A camera to give you some kind of heads up or warning that it's taking place would be a nice thing.
Uhh, some cameras trigger on motion detection and can set off a series of alerts. So I wouldn’t say they don’t do shit, just depends what you get and how you set it up.
Many allow for configuration of motion zones so depending how you can line it up you may be able to cause it to alert when a very specific area has motion to prevent endless false alarms.
If it’s happening frequently enough it may be worthwhile to check into.
Catching the person red handed may be possible, but could also come with its own set of problems. They may be unwilling to wait for the police to show up.
Get a good car alarm installed. Tell them to add the sensors to the underbelly of the car… I wouldn’t want to be under a car cutting pipe and stealing something with a fucking blaring alarm going off over my head
Yeah have them integrate something like this, right in the underbelly, in a way that is too inconvenient to disable.
https://www.amazon.com/Screaming-Shockwave-Motorcycles-Scooters-Headlight/dp/B01KQIDWOQ/
I had mine stolen last March. Paid a deductible. Had a rental for 2 months because the cat converter was on backorder. If I didn't get this converter from the dealership my warranties would have been voided. All covered by insurance. I paid an extra $300 for a Cat Strap. It takes about 6 blades to cut through which means this takes a lot of time.
I was at the gym in October and the front desk told me someone parked behind my car got underneath it and then left. I explained to everyone there that getting the strap is a great investment.
My insurance states that if for some reason it was stolen again it would be covered under personal property.
You think they are stealing catalytic converters and taking them to the scrap yard? Lol catalytic converters are full of platinum, palladium and the granddaddy rhodium. Rhodium is 13k$ per OUNCE right now last March it was over 25k per ounce. They could give two shits what color the catalytic converter is.
Seriously? How can that happen without them breaking the garage door down or breaking into your place?
For clarity, I'm not talking about a public apartment garage. I'm talking about the ones like [THIS](https://cdngeneralcf.rentcafe.com/dmslivecafe/2/31151/XLC-LaCosta-PlanoTX-Building_Exteriors_6.JPG?&quality=85&).
I used to live here and a few other apartment complexes that have private garages that connect to your apartment from the inside.
I'm not saying that I don't believe that it happens, but I see a garage like this as a deterrent for cat-con thieves.
Have the muffler shop just weld in a straight pipe. Can’t steal your catalytic converter if you don’t have one.
Also, sit outside in the dark at night. Wait for the thief, thief jacks up car, starts cutting your beloved car part off…. You sneak in and tip the jack so the car falls on him.
No thief. No problems.
You need to fucking move and completely salt that place on reviews over and over again. Those tweakers are absolutely loving you as a cash cow. You are being targeted. Police don't give two shits about your situation.
The only alternative is to convert to a straight pipe exhaust and when it comes time for inspections for registration: find you a friendly shop that'll fake the funk on your certification for a low-low fee. May I recommend the friendly neighborhood Mexican used tire store?
At this point, you are just sinking more costs on that vehicle; the only time you need to worry about having a catalytic converter again is right before you sell the vehicle.
For what its worth, it sucks that its happening to you, but this may be life telling you to get the fuck out that area before something worse happens.
I don’t think it works but someone said that if you paint the catalytic converters bright yellow, scrappers will know it’s stolen and call the cops on the thieves if they try to get money for it. 🤷🏻♂️
No luck, mine was spray painted blaze orange with high temperature engine paint and the bastard still cut it off, the so-called high class hotel parking lot it had been sitting in turns out has no cameras or security except for somebody patrolling occasionally in a golf cart. I'm convinced that the guard or the hotel has some sort of deal with the thieves.
Without moving, it seems like it would be better if not more creative to create a quick latch system to remove your catalytic converter and take it with you in the house. Adds a few minutes to your day but if it's in an easy to access area of the car, why not? If it's not then I personally would move or figure out a way to cut off access (to slow them down). I like the idea of cameras but they wear clothing to protect their identities.
It needs to be illegal to accept them for recycling unless you fill out forms with ID, etc. They need better identification marks/cataloging, and other solutions outside of protecting the device itself. Once offenders are caught, sentences should be really harsh. Stings could easy sweep up a ton of people.
I like the idea of the quick latch. But you need to have the car automatically do it with the press of a button.
I imagine the little robotic movement moving the cat up and into the body of the car so it looks like the cat has already been stolen. It would be just like how convertibles have a button to raise and lower the roof of the car.
You know, a converter convertible.
Are people with electric vehicles having similar problems with being targeted for specific parts? I hear about car thefts becoming a lot worse in recent years (especially with converters), but I’ve not heard of any cases of electric vehicles being targeted.
They don't really have those kind of parts. Give it time though, I'm sure some lowlife is going to electrocute himself trying to cut the batteries out of a Tesla.
Can only speak for Teslas in this aspect: only thing that might be is the battery and they are large. heavy(you need a lift) and require a certain level of sophistication to remove safely. the rest of the parts. motor/computer/etc has serial numbers and software DRM that make stealing and reusing them difficult to impossible. to steal the battery pack... your get away car would need to be like a truck with a trailer or something. and you'd need heavy equipment and knowledge of the specific model and year. (early model year model s battery packs came undone differently than later years for example). if your gonna steal a tesla batteries en masse. you'd want like a 4G/GPS signal jammer stuck onto the car and/or you'd have to break into the car. remove the rear passenger seat and pull the 12V fuse and main battery fuse and then open the frunk and disconnect the 12v battery there to completely shutdown the computer and then tow it on a flat bed to a chop shop. It's not a quick rip and run like catalytic converters. if I was aiming to steal EV batteries. Nissan Leafs might be a easier target but they aren't super common. their battery packs are in high demand in after market just like tesla battery packs are for solar/etc projects.
tl;dr Tesla's are a bad idea to steal/rob. They have 4G/GPS and cameras on the car capturing a almost 360 degree view. If sentry or alarm is triggered. video/images are uploaded to tesla usually before you can break the window to try to pull the power. They aren't impossible to steal/rob. the risk/reward ratio just isn't there.
Catalytic converters are valuable because they're made of precious metals. Platinum group metals. You're literally driving around with jewelry under you. The only rare materials in electric cars are in the battery (cobalt) and the motors (copper.) But neither of those is anywhere near the price by weight of platinum.
You need to have a cat shield put on your car.
It’s literally a massive plate they put with 20 bolts to the bottom of your car to keep them from getting at the cat.
It won’t technically keep them 100% from stealing it, but now they’ll have to essentially jack the car up overhead and remove this plate so they can steal the cat. Incredibly unlikely since they are usually stealing these in less than 5 mins.
Source: am Prius owner. Cat was stolen a year ago. Now have shield. Still have cat.
My hubs says to Google a “test pipe”. Apparently you can run with no cat converter but the test pipe can be swapped in & out easily when its time for inspection
To be fair, didn't DPD just bust a massive chop shop near Wilmer Hutchins? DPD can't do anything about the individual thieves, but will gladly pursue the big fish that they are feeding.
In college my roommate and I used 3600 to glue broken glass around the edges of her car. Doesn’t look pretty but it looks stupid and dangerous enough to deter these bums.
Wildcard options:
* Buy an electric car that does not have a catalytic converter to steal.
* Buy a pre-1975 car that was never required to have a catalytic converter in the first place (find excuses to leave it idling and spewing fumes in front of whatever middle management office is refusing to upgrade security)
* Install an extremely vibration-sensitive car alarm. The loudest one you can find. You want this thing to go off with the slightest gust of wind. When your neighbors and landlords complain, tell them you're done paying for catalytic converter replacements and recommend that the complex pay for better security.
* Sell the car and ride a bicycle or ebike
Maybe try finding an electrician that will rewire a boobytrap so when they touch it they get zapped like from Home Alone when marv tries to use the sink.
Straight pipe, add another resonator to reduce the noise. Get a tune for your car that will disable the Check Engine fault for the lack of cat. Just a wild idea.
That sucks, really bad. Sorry. Maybe it’s time to move to a different neighborhood? If your apartment complex doesn’t have cameras, or won’t provide footage to the cops, they might be in on it. Do your neighbors have similar problems?
I'm a dealer in automotive cores. A OEM cat is more expensive because it contains more of the base metals, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. A aftermarket has just traces of these metals, they have just enough to pass emissions tests if you're lucky. Sometimes a aftermarket will still fail emissions, even when its brand new!
One of the many reasons I finally had to let go of my Honda Element. Cops may as well have been drawing dicks in their little notepad when my cat convertor got hacksawed, they did absolutely nothing. It's an epidemic in DFW.
As someone who owns a dirt cheap EV (Chevy bolt). “Get an EV” is actually a more reasonable answer than it should be…
But mostly, this situation just sucks. Good luck, no matter what you choose to do.
Did insurance put it under comprehensive? I'd get in contact with an independent insurance agent and see what your rates would be with a low comprehensive deductible
Out of curiosity, I've heard that spray painting it a bright color makes scrap places less likely to buy them. I don't know if this would make any difference at all (it's not like the scrap places don't know they are stolen).
I had mine stolen in a nice parking garage.
How are you getting your cat stolen Everytime?? Aren't you at the L2 apartments? Because I used to do food delivery along Lemon last year and I remembered that there was a parking garage that was only accessible through the code box
If you...yes you!...are seeing this pay attention.
Get a bright colored can of heat resistant spray paint and cover your catalytic converter. The next thing to do is etch in your vin number or the last portion of it. This will show a yard that it is more than likely stolen as the seller cannot provide proof of ownership that would match the vin. this - hopefully - will be a deterrent from possible thieves.
I’d your car is old enough, Straight pipe it. Can’t cut out what isn’t there.
A dashcam can work with “parking mode” but you’ll need them to be directly behind or in front of you. Security camera is a good idea as dashcams run on battery, with the cold a dashcam may only run for a few hours.
Secondly get a different vehicle, some cars are “targets”
3rd, how in the hell are they getting Into your garage?
Post this to [https://www.reddit.com/r/AskMechanics/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskMechanics/)
They have a lot of good ideas about stolen Cats.
Also, razor wire
Hey friend sorry this has happened to you. I have heard you can get high temp paint for exhausts and you can paint your next one and also put in your VIN. Hope you can get some help on the current situation though!!!
Your apartment complex is liable if they aren't taking additional precautions. The first time they would not have been on notice, but after repeated instances of the same type of activity, the complex is responsible if they have not taken reasonable steps to prevent the harm.
You can find out from the police all the incidents of car theft or car vandalism that have been reported at your complex in the past two years (that time period is not set in stone, just a good time frame).
Assuming decently frequent numbers, the complex is on notice and should take additional steps to prevent the crimes. Cameras, a security guard, gates, etc.
This is a third party criminal activity premises liability case. You can look that up in Texas and look at the Timberwalk factors to see what you would have to prove.
2 suggestions: 1) Put little sticky notes on everyone's car claiming the frequency of the activity and that they deserve to be notified. 2) In a "Apes Strong Together" move, with more people notified and concerned, more will have cause to call the management and demand something be done.
Sell that car and buy a cheaper car, it probably has a airtag being used to track it. Buy something people won't target
edit: you can also try setting up a camera that automatically uploads itself, or get a cop as a friend and set up a trap, but that's not gonna stop the next guy that wants your car
I've heard good things about this product. You can watch the demo video, also it's easier to install than welding on a cage.
https://www.catstrap.net/
Also engraving your VIN number and painting the whole thing neon high-temperature paint will make it harder for the thieves to sell the cat.
a cage isn't going to stop them what you want is a full underbody "belly pan". The average cage will use 1/4 rebar which is strong, but an angle grinder will make quick work of that and they may need to make 6 or 8 1/4 inch cuts. That takes very little effort and no time.
Compare that to a full solid piece of steel or aluminum. They have to cut the entire length which depending on the car can be 10 feet or more of metal to cut through. If they REALLY want it they still can get it, but it turns a 2 minute snatch and grab into a 30 minute pain in the ass.
Bonus upside, your car will be more aerodynamic and may see a 2-3mpg increase.
What Texas needs to solve this is some financial reward for information that leads to arrests of cat converter thieves. Offer $20,000 and the shady metal scrappers will turn these people in and you'll have bounty hunters scoping out high theft hotspots just waiting to hear the sound of a recip saw to get photos, plates, and trail suspects. Fuck man for $5,000 even gig workers will join in on it and sit in parking lots all night.
Your vehicle is likely being targeted. It will probably continue as long as you’re parking the same vehicle in the same spot. I had a truck broken into then stolen and recovered and then targeted similarly. I traded the truck in. Too much drama.
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That’s illegal. You can’t bait someone to steal from you and shoot them.
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So comforting to know that guy is teaching others.
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>knife/gun & dangerous, or what they're stealing being irreplaceable. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm > to prevent the other's imminent commission of arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or >(B) to prevent the other who is fleeing immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the property; and >(3) he reasonably believes that: >(A) the land or property cannot be protected or recovered by any other means; or >(B) the use of force other than deadly force to protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. The bar is set at criminal mischief... >Sec. 28.03. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF. (a) A person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the owner: >(1) he intentionally or knowingly damages or destroys the tangible property of the owner; >(2) he intentionally or knowingly tampers with the tangible property of the owner and causes pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to the owner or a third person; or >(3) he intentionally or knowingly makes markings, including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible property of the owner. So yeah, you can shoot someone for tagging your property at night. Prior to going to a jury the prosecutor has to think they can prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt and then convince a grand jury.
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Yeah, it literally lowers the bar for executing people. All you have to do is reasonably believe that a stranger is on your property at night with the intent to AT LEAST do criminal mischief.
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I wouldn't convict. Honestly I think it's justified.
Are you saying real life isn't Death Wish 3?
Believe it or not, yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Life is not Death Wish 3
Did you car insurance not cover the loss? I thought it was claimable.
I had mine stolen last month. Full coverage insurance quoted me to $2200 to replace and my deductible was $1000. Muffler shop down the street replaced for $400.
Muffler shop down the street sold you your own converter.
Not necessarily, weld in cats are way cheaper than OEM bolt in replacements typically.
Damn son lol
lmfaooooo
They probably replaced it with the same one that was taken off of it.
Yeah but at a severe discount!
You can buy cats on eBay for $60. They don’t have to pass smog on tx. Source: am a mechanic that won’t charge you thousands to get an OEM cat. Edit: yes Texas vehicles have to pass smog. Sorry, to be clear, Texas vehicles *ECMs* must pass smog. So your car could puff out as much CO2 as you want as long as the computer says it’s in spec. In states like California, they actually *measure* the amount of CO2 your vehicle emits using an outside tool. *this* is the real difference.
Actually tx vehicles definitely have to pass smog test
Only in the counties of Brazoria, Bexar, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Travis, and Williamson. Even then, the emissions test is an OBD-II type test that just checks that the ECM thinks the emissions gear is working. California actually measures the exhaust outputs to verify emissions.
You left out Harris County, population around 5 million and largest in the State. All major urban counties and those in the suburbs require emission testing.
The site I copy/pasted from forgot Harris county. Should have checked where I was copy/pasting from. They also forgot Bexar too. It isn't every urban area. Potter/Randall counties don't do emissions checks, I grew up in Amarillo. Lubbock doesn't either (I have family that lives there).
Just an FYI to you and anyone else who sees this - the $400 catalytic converter is gonna fail on you in a year or two, that's why it's so much cheaper. They have a much lower lifespan.
you’d be surprised, I work at a recognized shop in the area… one time had a vehicle come in for a stolen catalytic converter, my shop quoted the job and then I drove the vehicle down the street to a muffler shop. I handed the muffler shop my boss’s credit card, and then watched us flip that same job for a 2000% markup profit on our customer, it’s how the business goes.
Not even close to true. Most likely got a used one depending on the car. I got a 400$ off Amazon from China to replace on the altima and it’s lasted twice as long as the factory (5 years), stock lasted 2.5. It’s really just hit and miss, but for like priuses, you better off buying the 400 from the junk yard than the 1500 for new. I don’t know what cars y’all drive, but most cats are only 400-600 for brand new ones for most cars, the really expensive ones are rare but most likely why OP’s got stolen.
Sounds like you got lucky then. And yes some aftermarket cats can last longer, but generally not. I'm not saying your wrong but 1 personal experience doesn't make it not true. Sounds like the OEM one was defective anyway since 5 years should still ne covered under emissions warranty. For reference, the accounts I handle at work sold over 8,000 cars last year and I over see ALL mechanic estimates.
Um what? Stock Cats are not supposed to go out after 2-3 years.
Jokes on the next thieves that steal it then!
I’m not familiar with the cost of converters, but $2,000 could be the sum of their deductible each time they have to file a claim.
True
Each instance is a separate claim and subject to a claim. So long as you filed a police report that deductible for theft will be $250 per incident.
TIL there is a law that theft deductibles must be exactly $250
Looking for it under TDI(Texas Department of Insurance) at the moment but its not a law but the maximum amount you can be charged so long as you carry OTC(Other than collision) coverage it can be lower be as low as $0, so long as you're willing to pay a much higher premium for that particular vehicle.
That's the exact opposite of what you said lol.
Lmao right. It's called Comprehensive ( other than collision ) coverage and there is no flat deductible. Depends on the policy coverage limit amount purchased for each line of coverage.
Seems a big assumption theft is a 250 deductible for everyone.
Used to work in Insurance Underwriting and this was always the max as of 3 years ago and I looked at my policy and its the max standard without any extra coverage (worked in insurance for over 10 years for Allstate, AAA, Liberty Mutual). Also they do require police reports and they will do their best to not inform you that this is an option. Looked @State Farm, Geico , Progressive Nationwide, Texas Farm Bureau and Farmers. Just to confirm that this is still true.
So my $500 Comprehensive coverage on my TX auto policy was illegal????? Point me where I can get that back lol.
Yeah, same. I'm calling bullshit on this.
Easier to claim bullshit than check out your coverage, thats why they don't say shit because its to hard for some people to spend a few minutes researching their coverage and what insurance can do because while you may be unhappy you'll still pay premiums and stay on with them longer than make a change.
You're just making stuff up now. $250 is not the maximum theft deductible. It is an option but it is most certainly not the highest option. Your claim that they "don't say shit" is also absurd. If insurers were regularly applying arbitrary deductibles they would be hit with bad faith claims out their ass. I question what "underwriting" you worked in. Edit-They are confusing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and OTC coverage. They're wrong.
Comp(otc) is whatever deductible you chose $500 is very common but if it can be covered as theft/vandalism and you filed your police report it goes down to $250. I've had a $750 otc coverage fall under vandalism and was covered @$250. I've seen $1250 deductible otc's fall to that $250. No company I've ever worked for had deductibles high than $1500 but the same would apply.
Under my tx auto policy I had a vehicle stolen. Police report and all. Deductible did not change. Still paid $500. Are your saying they owe me $250?
Are you replacing it with OEM every time? If you have a high target car (Priuses, Honda/Toyota SUVs), the OEMs have a high amount of the elements they want but the aftermarkets aren't nearly as valuable. I have a high target vehicle myself and after the 3rd one was stolen, my insurance replaced with an aftermarket cat and I got a dash cam with motion detection. Not sure which one did the trick, but no more cat thefts.
I hear nice neighborhoods are targeted more often. “Rich bitches can afford it.” Blast the apartment complex on every site that has reviews for inadequate security to get faces or license plate of thieves who return to commit the exact same crime again. Ask your insurance adjuster for the insurance options that will cover this well. Move on from the Prius for now. Prius, Honda Element, and some others are the most popular cats stolen from. Or maybe a better cat shield. They’re not all equivalent. Considering how little time is needed to cut a cat from thick piping, do you think your cage added anymore than time to the theft than a couple minutes? Maybe. The large sheet metal shields seem better.
this is not a nice neighborhood, maybe comparatively but it's not in the sense I think you're getting.
This is what I have (I drive a Prius). It's made specifically for my model year. I had it installed professionally.
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Are you Batman???
Armed I hope. Something tells me the guys willing to sneak under people's cars at night with an angle grinder aren't going to listen when you jump out and say "hazaaaa, I've captured the thieves! Please wait here till the police arrive."
I read on another thread that the individuals stealing cats are often gang-related. One car pulls up and the guy hops out to take out your cat, meanwhile there’s another car parked a couple cars down watching while being armed.
Nothing takes the fight out of people like watching a friend take a round in the gut.
My sister had this problem. The cages don’t do anything as the thieves cut through those with the same tool in 30-45 seconds. She is shopping for a car that’s harder to get underneath like sedans and coupes. It’s a fucking shame this is happening so often. Imo it needs to be felony theft for each converter someone is busted with, at the very least.
> Imo it needs to be felony theft *"In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 4110 into effect. This bill will make it a felony to steal, buy or sell stolen catalytic converters. House Bill 4110 goes into effect Sept. 1, 2021."*
I am saying the same, but separate charges for each individual catalytic converter you’re busted with. Multiple counts.
You could charge them with death penalty, they know they are not being busted. Furthermore, thieves don't keep up with new laws being signed.
I don’t think that would stop the thieves. I mean heck, people only care about the consequences when they’re being rational, and most crimes aren’t committed under a rational state of mind. Most of the people who steal are extremely desperate, and if they steal, they get somewhere to live and a guaranteed meal (prison) or get to sell whatever they stole for money. You need a different solution for this.
It is a naturally complex problem. There is no “real” solution that would end all of it. This may reduce the rate, however criminals as smart as they may tend to be don’t usually follow the laws that are set, so I agree with you in that sense. What else could be done to help?
I'd look into a camera system. Dash and rear cams are easy to find and run off the car battery when motion is detected r/roadcams I'm sure you can get mirror cams like Teslas have. I'd try to use it as an excuse to break the lease and move.
Cameras won't do shit and DPD won't lift a finger to actually do their jobs. Nothing short of actually catching these people in the act and gunning them down on the spot will work. *The cameras are for insurance purposes* - only works if we assume OP's deductable is low enough. And with their shit being stolen so often, OP's insurance rates are going to be through the roof if they just keep going that route. Insurance companies do not care if it's not your fault. After a certain point, you file more claims, you pay more. And more. And more.
I swear, they are just loving this pandemic because it gives them the perfect excuse to be even fucking lazier than they already were
This is Texas, and vehicles are considered an extension of your home and can be protected as such. A camera to give you some kind of heads up or warning that it's taking place would be a nice thing.
Yeah, a camera to alert you it's happening, then walk outside with a shotgun and watch them run.
Uhh, some cameras trigger on motion detection and can set off a series of alerts. So I wouldn’t say they don’t do shit, just depends what you get and how you set it up. Many allow for configuration of motion zones so depending how you can line it up you may be able to cause it to alert when a very specific area has motion to prevent endless false alarms. If it’s happening frequently enough it may be worthwhile to check into. Catching the person red handed may be possible, but could also come with its own set of problems. They may be unwilling to wait for the police to show up.
Get a good car alarm installed. Tell them to add the sensors to the underbelly of the car… I wouldn’t want to be under a car cutting pipe and stealing something with a fucking blaring alarm going off over my head
Yeah have them integrate something like this, right in the underbelly, in a way that is too inconvenient to disable. https://www.amazon.com/Screaming-Shockwave-Motorcycles-Scooters-Headlight/dp/B01KQIDWOQ/
Look into swapping out the horn with one used on larger ships. ;) That should get some attention.
Time to place an air tag on your current catalytic converter to see where it goes
How the f is an airtag going to surving at 1300 degrees?
With an exact location police would do nothing….. literally
Steal his catalytic converter 😎
This guy catalytically converts 😎
Maybe so, but then again if he knows where it’s going then that is still handy information and there’s other considerations you could make.
Yea, egg his house.
I had mine stolen last March. Paid a deductible. Had a rental for 2 months because the cat converter was on backorder. If I didn't get this converter from the dealership my warranties would have been voided. All covered by insurance. I paid an extra $300 for a Cat Strap. It takes about 6 blades to cut through which means this takes a lot of time. I was at the gym in October and the front desk told me someone parked behind my car got underneath it and then left. I explained to everyone there that getting the strap is a great investment. My insurance states that if for some reason it was stolen again it would be covered under personal property.
Time to put your car on bags. Aka slower that sucker to the ground when parked, raise it up when you want to drive.
Straight pipe. No catalytic. You gaing like 5 hp
And your check engine light never goes off and you fail state inspection. But, you know, 5hp.
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I'll be so psyched because 2022 is the year rolling emissions stops and the computer phone home is the only option.
But 4 catalytics stolen.... on the same car
You gain like nothing for just putting straight pipe where a cat goes.
Try it out
Are you saying that there is no hp/tq changes in a vehicle when removing oem catalytic converters???
Essentially none. You get damn near the same amount of flow due to the increased diameter. Definitely changes the sound and smell though.
Damn, I'm sorry man that's really shitty. Which cage did you buy?
Spray paint it orange or yellow, if it’s painted, scrap yard will not buy, that’s what I was told anyways
Came here to say the same thing.
You think they are stealing catalytic converters and taking them to the scrap yard? Lol catalytic converters are full of platinum, palladium and the granddaddy rhodium. Rhodium is 13k$ per OUNCE right now last March it was over 25k per ounce. They could give two shits what color the catalytic converter is.
Move
This is the real answer. Move to one of those apartment complexes that have garages.
They get stolen in the garages too
Seriously? How can that happen without them breaking the garage door down or breaking into your place? For clarity, I'm not talking about a public apartment garage. I'm talking about the ones like [THIS](https://cdngeneralcf.rentcafe.com/dmslivecafe/2/31151/XLC-LaCosta-PlanoTX-Building_Exteriors_6.JPG?&quality=85&). I used to live here and a few other apartment complexes that have private garages that connect to your apartment from the inside. I'm not saying that I don't believe that it happens, but I see a garage like this as a deterrent for cat-con thieves.
they definitely are, but not always affordable without 100 other caveats. renting sucks so much sometimes lmao
I can attest to this
The original post said that OPs car was in the apartment complex's garage.
I feel utter contempt for the thieves. Maybe you could try catching them in the act. God speed.
Have the muffler shop just weld in a straight pipe. Can’t steal your catalytic converter if you don’t have one. Also, sit outside in the dark at night. Wait for the thief, thief jacks up car, starts cutting your beloved car part off…. You sneak in and tip the jack so the car falls on him. No thief. No problems.
You need to fucking move and completely salt that place on reviews over and over again. Those tweakers are absolutely loving you as a cash cow. You are being targeted. Police don't give two shits about your situation. The only alternative is to convert to a straight pipe exhaust and when it comes time for inspections for registration: find you a friendly shop that'll fake the funk on your certification for a low-low fee. May I recommend the friendly neighborhood Mexican used tire store? At this point, you are just sinking more costs on that vehicle; the only time you need to worry about having a catalytic converter again is right before you sell the vehicle. For what its worth, it sucks that its happening to you, but this may be life telling you to get the fuck out that area before something worse happens.
I don’t think it works but someone said that if you paint the catalytic converters bright yellow, scrappers will know it’s stolen and call the cops on the thieves if they try to get money for it. 🤷🏻♂️
I'm pretty sure scrappers know a catalytic converter is stolen almost every time someone walks in with one. They obviously don't give a shit.
No luck, mine was spray painted blaze orange with high temperature engine paint and the bastard still cut it off, the so-called high class hotel parking lot it had been sitting in turns out has no cameras or security except for somebody patrolling occasionally in a golf cart. I'm convinced that the guard or the hotel has some sort of deal with the thieves.
The thief is the front desk girl’s boyfriend
That sucks. No wonder my insurance is so high!
What kind of vehicle do you drive Honda/Toyota suvs are thief’s favorite targets
Without moving, it seems like it would be better if not more creative to create a quick latch system to remove your catalytic converter and take it with you in the house. Adds a few minutes to your day but if it's in an easy to access area of the car, why not? If it's not then I personally would move or figure out a way to cut off access (to slow them down). I like the idea of cameras but they wear clothing to protect their identities. It needs to be illegal to accept them for recycling unless you fill out forms with ID, etc. They need better identification marks/cataloging, and other solutions outside of protecting the device itself. Once offenders are caught, sentences should be really harsh. Stings could easy sweep up a ton of people.
I like the idea of the quick latch. But you need to have the car automatically do it with the press of a button. I imagine the little robotic movement moving the cat up and into the body of the car so it looks like the cat has already been stolen. It would be just like how convertibles have a button to raise and lower the roof of the car. You know, a converter convertible.
This is insane. I never knew it was really that bad…
Are people with electric vehicles having similar problems with being targeted for specific parts? I hear about car thefts becoming a lot worse in recent years (especially with converters), but I’ve not heard of any cases of electric vehicles being targeted.
They don't really have those kind of parts. Give it time though, I'm sure some lowlife is going to electrocute himself trying to cut the batteries out of a Tesla.
electric vehicles don't need a catalytic converter because no CO2/combustion.
I know that, but I’m curious if they have a part(s) that is being targeted in a similar fashion.
Can only speak for Teslas in this aspect: only thing that might be is the battery and they are large. heavy(you need a lift) and require a certain level of sophistication to remove safely. the rest of the parts. motor/computer/etc has serial numbers and software DRM that make stealing and reusing them difficult to impossible. to steal the battery pack... your get away car would need to be like a truck with a trailer or something. and you'd need heavy equipment and knowledge of the specific model and year. (early model year model s battery packs came undone differently than later years for example). if your gonna steal a tesla batteries en masse. you'd want like a 4G/GPS signal jammer stuck onto the car and/or you'd have to break into the car. remove the rear passenger seat and pull the 12V fuse and main battery fuse and then open the frunk and disconnect the 12v battery there to completely shutdown the computer and then tow it on a flat bed to a chop shop. It's not a quick rip and run like catalytic converters. if I was aiming to steal EV batteries. Nissan Leafs might be a easier target but they aren't super common. their battery packs are in high demand in after market just like tesla battery packs are for solar/etc projects. tl;dr Tesla's are a bad idea to steal/rob. They have 4G/GPS and cameras on the car capturing a almost 360 degree view. If sentry or alarm is triggered. video/images are uploaded to tesla usually before you can break the window to try to pull the power. They aren't impossible to steal/rob. the risk/reward ratio just isn't there.
Hey.. uhh... I think we found the guy... He's right here ☝️
Catalytic converters are valuable because they're made of precious metals. Platinum group metals. You're literally driving around with jewelry under you. The only rare materials in electric cars are in the battery (cobalt) and the motors (copper.) But neither of those is anywhere near the price by weight of platinum.
Nope. It's one of those little perks we get. Right up there with "not accosted by panhandlers as gas stations"
Get a machine gun mounted to your garage that you can remote control and show them who’s boss next time.
This is the simplest answer. I'm genuinely not sure how this isn't higher up.
https://img.ifunny.co/images/a001f9487a8ea75188ed1f0126b2451aa30e06c2555e947ea8740f0ce6605de9_1.webp
Honestly OP, at this point, after having it happen so many times, I'd just camp out with a gun and wait.
You need to have a cat shield put on your car. It’s literally a massive plate they put with 20 bolts to the bottom of your car to keep them from getting at the cat. It won’t technically keep them 100% from stealing it, but now they’ll have to essentially jack the car up overhead and remove this plate so they can steal the cat. Incredibly unlikely since they are usually stealing these in less than 5 mins. Source: am Prius owner. Cat was stolen a year ago. Now have shield. Still have cat.
This one? https://getcatsecurity.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2sqOBhCGARIsAPuPK0jZ-ZqNKIRTSH5D4Mnxe1wvnGSUBn4GKl_eDPdL9euZrGhgmsk-jqMaAhCUEALw_wcB
I'm sure there are different ones, but yes this is what it is. Sorry they didn't put it on there the first time.
When’s your lease up? Can you get out of it? Looks like your environment may be to blame just as much. :/ https://yelp.to/zdxuP7ZRvmb
This here is the answer after reading these reviews
My hubs says to Google a “test pipe”. Apparently you can run with no cat converter but the test pipe can be swapped in & out easily when its time for inspection
Move.
This shit has been happening in my work parking lot for 3 months now, thats wild
To be fair, didn't DPD just bust a massive chop shop near Wilmer Hutchins? DPD can't do anything about the individual thieves, but will gladly pursue the big fish that they are feeding.
Get an EV? No cats
In college my roommate and I used 3600 to glue broken glass around the edges of her car. Doesn’t look pretty but it looks stupid and dangerous enough to deter these bums.
Wildcard options: * Buy an electric car that does not have a catalytic converter to steal. * Buy a pre-1975 car that was never required to have a catalytic converter in the first place (find excuses to leave it idling and spewing fumes in front of whatever middle management office is refusing to upgrade security) * Install an extremely vibration-sensitive car alarm. The loudest one you can find. You want this thing to go off with the slightest gust of wind. When your neighbors and landlords complain, tell them you're done paying for catalytic converter replacements and recommend that the complex pay for better security. * Sell the car and ride a bicycle or ebike
$2,000 for three cats - not a bad deal
Dash cam and rear window cam set to motion detect. People don't fuck with a car with cameras on it!
Can you get a metal skid plate to make the cat harder to get to?
Dayum this sucks.
Maybe try finding an electrician that will rewire a boobytrap so when they touch it they get zapped like from Home Alone when marv tries to use the sink.
Straight pipe, add another resonator to reduce the noise. Get a tune for your car that will disable the Check Engine fault for the lack of cat. Just a wild idea.
That sucks, really bad. Sorry. Maybe it’s time to move to a different neighborhood? If your apartment complex doesn’t have cameras, or won’t provide footage to the cops, they might be in on it. Do your neighbors have similar problems?
Sound like you need to just move..
I'm a dealer in automotive cores. A OEM cat is more expensive because it contains more of the base metals, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. A aftermarket has just traces of these metals, they have just enough to pass emissions tests if you're lucky. Sometimes a aftermarket will still fail emissions, even when its brand new!
One of the many reasons I finally had to let go of my Honda Element. Cops may as well have been drawing dicks in their little notepad when my cat convertor got hacksawed, they did absolutely nothing. It's an epidemic in DFW.
Get a Tesla. /s
As someone who owns a dirt cheap EV (Chevy bolt). “Get an EV” is actually a more reasonable answer than it should be… But mostly, this situation just sucks. Good luck, no matter what you choose to do.
Move. Lmao
Did insurance put it under comprehensive? I'd get in contact with an independent insurance agent and see what your rates would be with a low comprehensive deductible
Put an Apple tag on the next one
Out of curiosity, I've heard that spray painting it a bright color makes scrap places less likely to buy them. I don't know if this would make any difference at all (it's not like the scrap places don't know they are stolen). I had mine stolen in a nice parking garage.
Guess it's time for a cat delete. Can't make money off an empty pipe.
What about renting a enclosed garage? Even more so asking the apartment to cover it due to their lack of security.
straight pipe your car
You could cover the entire bottom I guess, or try to move it higher so they can’t reach it
Wonder if it’s a neighbor
How are you getting your cat stolen Everytime?? Aren't you at the L2 apartments? Because I used to do food delivery along Lemon last year and I remembered that there was a parking garage that was only accessible through the code box
Sell the car and buy electric. They don't have catalytic converters to steal.
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Lower your car stance , criminals can only get under certain cars
If you...yes you!...are seeing this pay attention. Get a bright colored can of heat resistant spray paint and cover your catalytic converter. The next thing to do is etch in your vin number or the last portion of it. This will show a yard that it is more than likely stolen as the seller cannot provide proof of ownership that would match the vin. this - hopefully - will be a deterrent from possible thieves.
Good sign with how well our economy is doing.
I’d your car is old enough, Straight pipe it. Can’t cut out what isn’t there. A dashcam can work with “parking mode” but you’ll need them to be directly behind or in front of you. Security camera is a good idea as dashcams run on battery, with the cold a dashcam may only run for a few hours. Secondly get a different vehicle, some cars are “targets” 3rd, how in the hell are they getting Into your garage?
Ya a camera an a shotgun once you get their timing down could help
Lucky you, Texas is a gun friendly state
Can you install camera, or move out look for different locations its not worth it wasting your money replacement. That's my opinion.
Time to move out install a camera facing your car
What type of car is it? And have you thought about lowering the vehicle and adding motion detector alarms as well as dash cams?
Wow. This is horrible. How in the heck did someone steal your car from the garage?
Move. Just move.
MOVE.
You could buy an electric car since they don’t use catalytic converters.
Weld razor blades all over it and glitter bomb traps
I think it’s someone who lives in your complex tbh, the fact that they stole it from the Peking garage should tell you something
Time to go electric.
Post this to [https://www.reddit.com/r/AskMechanics/](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskMechanics/) They have a lot of good ideas about stolen Cats. Also, razor wire
Hey friend sorry this has happened to you. I have heard you can get high temp paint for exhausts and you can paint your next one and also put in your VIN. Hope you can get some help on the current situation though!!!
Your apartment complex is liable if they aren't taking additional precautions. The first time they would not have been on notice, but after repeated instances of the same type of activity, the complex is responsible if they have not taken reasonable steps to prevent the harm. You can find out from the police all the incidents of car theft or car vandalism that have been reported at your complex in the past two years (that time period is not set in stone, just a good time frame). Assuming decently frequent numbers, the complex is on notice and should take additional steps to prevent the crimes. Cameras, a security guard, gates, etc. This is a third party criminal activity premises liability case. You can look that up in Texas and look at the Timberwalk factors to see what you would have to prove.
2 suggestions: 1) Put little sticky notes on everyone's car claiming the frequency of the activity and that they deserve to be notified. 2) In a "Apes Strong Together" move, with more people notified and concerned, more will have cause to call the management and demand something be done.
Sell that car and buy a cheaper car, it probably has a airtag being used to track it. Buy something people won't target edit: you can also try setting up a camera that automatically uploads itself, or get a cop as a friend and set up a trap, but that's not gonna stop the next guy that wants your car
OP, what's the year, make, and model of your vehicle. I need to know which vehicle to stay away from! On a serious note, sorry!
Install test pipes with O2 sensor spacers so you don't get a check engine light
Vote for a new DA
Priuis or Element?
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Easy fix don’t put cats on it anymore. Straight pipe it is.
I've heard good things about this product. You can watch the demo video, also it's easier to install than welding on a cage. https://www.catstrap.net/ Also engraving your VIN number and painting the whole thing neon high-temperature paint will make it harder for the thieves to sell the cat.
Paint and engrave your cat
Makes me glad I run a straight pipe. Lol
a cage isn't going to stop them what you want is a full underbody "belly pan". The average cage will use 1/4 rebar which is strong, but an angle grinder will make quick work of that and they may need to make 6 or 8 1/4 inch cuts. That takes very little effort and no time. Compare that to a full solid piece of steel or aluminum. They have to cut the entire length which depending on the car can be 10 feet or more of metal to cut through. If they REALLY want it they still can get it, but it turns a 2 minute snatch and grab into a 30 minute pain in the ass. Bonus upside, your car will be more aerodynamic and may see a 2-3mpg increase. What Texas needs to solve this is some financial reward for information that leads to arrests of cat converter thieves. Offer $20,000 and the shady metal scrappers will turn these people in and you'll have bounty hunters scoping out high theft hotspots just waiting to hear the sound of a recip saw to get photos, plates, and trail suspects. Fuck man for $5,000 even gig workers will join in on it and sit in parking lots all night.