My son just has his cat stolen from his 2006 Honda Accord. It was off the midtown street in a covered parking slot for his apartments. It was so close to a wall on the passenger side you could not open the door. Sacramento police, taking the report, stated that Toyota Prius and Honda Accords are by far the most popular model for theft. Takes one minute to steal. One very large outfit was just busted here. 2 buildings, 2 accountants, shop manager, shipping manager, practice/training area, 20 teams (yes 20) of 5 people each go out each day and night. They had contracts with shipping companies to distribute the cats all over the state to avoid suspicion. Cops said this looked like a real business than a chop shop. 2 guys operate the jacks fore and aft, 1 lookout, and the other 2 cut at each end and remove simultaneously. The replacement will take at least 6 months as there is a nationwide shortage of cats. This is with a USAA approved shop. I checked around and everyone is saying the same thing.

I don't live in town but I was shocked when I asked around and discover just how many folks I know have been nailed. One had the cat cut out of his Tundra when he parked at a dealer lot to get some parts! I have a 2002 Tacoma and 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, both are so easy to remove the cat. Some forums here (especially old So Cal and UK) have had threads on cat theft for the S2000 but they are old.

There is a unit to prevent cat thefts called CatStrap but the police said the teams practice cutting those and they don't even deter them. It seems like the best way to get a thief to move on is welding rebar or braided steel cable to the cat and pipe. It can still be stolen but it will slow them down a bit.

Has anyone tried this with any vehicle and especially the S2000? It seems the S2000 is a pretty good cat and would be desirable to scrap. No more OEM ones for sure. Really, really don't want to go through this.

 

I've been seeing this all over for a couple years now, it is everywhere. They seem to hit some vehicles more than others. A guy I know had his entire exhaust system taken off his pick up truck, he went to start it up early morning and it made a horrendous sound. Pick-ups are easier to steal than others, no jack needed. With a sawzall it is a 5 minute job. I know people who had their cats stolen multiple times.

They need to bust the companies who are buying the used cats, they are going to some large central dealers who scrap them out for prescious metals, those end users need to be busted. The hoodlums who go out the cut them off cars are small potatoes.

There is no protection, if you park outdoors then you are a target, parking indoors is the only way to protect yourself.

I have been told these bums only like OEM cats, they don't like aftermarket cats as they are not worth as much. OEM cats have more prescious metals as they are true 3-way cats and not all aftermarket cats are as good as OEM.

 

Slam your car so they can't jack it up and get under it. Joking aside, catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise. I don't think our cars will be targeted as there are plenty of other cars that are easier to work with in that regard. If you're that worried about it, it would be a good reason to get some under-body aero.

 

Yep. Been a problem here in MN for years now.
They go for jeeps and vehicles with more clearance.
The police here suggest parking in a way that makes it hard for them to get under your car - not sure how you do that though if you have to park on the street. It's a matter of bad luck.
Sorry to hear that about your son's car. Get him an aftermarket cat - high flow cat? Might be easier to find.

 

I thought it would be easy. I went to several auto parts companies online and found lots of California CARB (unfortunately required here in this state) cats for sale with varying prices. Plug in your zip or desired location, no problem. Put it in the cart and voila! Not available. On anyone of them. Somewhat deceptive websites IMO. I even tried Reno Nevada (Only 2 hours away) and they said "Good Luck" they cannot get them for their locals either.

 

For once in my life I am glad to live in North Dakota, everyone is just friendly and none of this happens. I’m sorry for what you’re going threw. I have a slightly used magnaflow cat With sensor I’d be willing to help you out with. Some people kids

 

That is very kind of you an I appreciate your offer. We just have to go through the process here. I happen to live in a spot well off the beaten path up on the Western Slope of the Sierras. A very different place than the rest of California especially as I grew up in San Diego on Coronado across the street from the Pacific. I know a neighbor down the street who has said he has not locked his house or cars in 34 years! I don't lock my cars but I do my house except at night for bedroom ventilation. Yes we have a coupe of >100 lbs dogs but I enjoy just enjoy the friendly, helpful neighbors and everyone seems as honest as Moses. Of course some S&W 40 caliber Glocks/H&Ks are insurance.

 

Perhaps a fixed high strength steel collar or similar cut proof metal (thick stainless?) around the for and aft pipes would slow them down.
darcy

 

you Americans are so lucky to have 2A- I am jealous.
darcy

 

My Grand Cherokee is in the muffler shop now getting the anti-theft mod. Will post pics later.