I've seen a few Gen 2's for sale that have had their cats stolen. The prices seem to be around $2-3K. I know there are a lot of variables to consider when asked "Is it worth it?", but in general are these good buys? Is it better to look for a Gen 3 and pay a bit more? The cat replacements seem to run about $2K here in CA so that's a hefty repair cost.
When I'm in California I see Gen2 for less than $1K on craigslist and usually there's nothing wrong with them other than needing a new cat and new hybrid battery, and new 12v... It's so tempting to want to buy one when I'm down there.
As far as I can tell there isn't a proven, low cost option to replace a stolen cat and have it pass smog. I've seen a few ads where people are selling cats and say "take it to my buddy at XYZ Smog and he'll pass it for sure" but I'm not relying on that.
you could make a living buying them in cali and repairing them with low cost cats and selling them out of state. worth it in cali? sure, if you know what you're doing and find a good one at the right price. most people selling their car because of a stolen cat don't diy, so it just isn't worth it, considering the other expensive problems that will eventually crop up if you have to pay someone to repair.
Yea, I live in Washington State, but have family in California... And just as important as having a spare tire when I go on a long drive, I also carry a spare aftermarket catalytic converter ($130 off ebay) that nobody will ship to California because they aren't legit there. So if someone steals my Cat when I'm down there, I'll still be able to make the repairs and get home without much hassle. I also already have a spare battery pack at a relatives house down there too. So basically before I've even taken much serious consideration of it, I'm well positioned to buy a nice gen2 for less than $1K and swap batteries and thrown on a cat and drive it home. The out of state re-sale value alone of the repaired car would make it worth the effort.
We must be seeing Covid market prices here in So Cal right now. Gen2’s in good shape with roughly 150-200K miles are listed for $4-8K. They may not be selling for that but sellers seem to be looking for higher prices. Cat-stolen Gen2’s are around $2K.
Those prices are consistent with rest of west coast states in more populated areas... My point is if you park your Prius because hybrid battery went bad 'because Toyota stealership wants more than $3K for the repair and then someone steals your catalytic converter and the stealership says that will be another near $4K for OEM exhaust system that's required in California, many rational people who experience this double wammy get on craigslist and try to get what they can and a couple times when I've been down in California this year I've seen these type of craigslist offers for a Gen2 Prius for less than $1K.
Anyone who knows someone that want to sell an otherwise good condition Gen 2, missing the cat, please post the contact info.
^ The shipping cost from Huntington Beach to Naples might eat away at the profit margins.... Gen 2's for sale needing cats replaced - Worth it? Yup! If you're willing to turn your Prius into an ex-pat. Otherwise? Nope! 2014 California Proposition 47 - Wikipedia
Lol... Actually Wisconsin has fairly strict emissions laws for cars. Way more strict than where I am in Washington State where I'm coming up on near a decade of owning a Prius and still no emissions test required. Here's my reference: "Vehicles require an emissions test every other year before license plate renewal, beginning in the third year following the vehicle's model year. (For example, model year 2008 vehicles first require a test in 2011.) Renewal notices will indicate if a test is due (see sample renewal notice)." Wisconsin DMV Official Government Site - Emission test
I just notice that my Prius still has original Cats which is a surprised to me. in my country only few percent of prius on the road got original cats because they being stolen. So i realized that keeping it doesn't make any better my car is 04 and cats are already clogged and need replacement anyway. so i sold the cats for 1K to local cats dealer. and they replace new one from Taiwan for free . of course they wont be the same as original but at least they no longer clogged and i made money.
Not quite right. Just like the socialist republic of Illinois, to the south of cheeseland, emissions testing in cheeseland depends on county. Some folks don’t have to get tested. And of course that makes perfect sense to the morons who are elected or appointed to rule over the rest of us. Pollution stops at the county line. Wisconsin DMV Official Government Site - Emission test “Vehicles customarily kept in one of these seven southeastern Wisconsin counties require an emissions test: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha.”
