I've been reading as many of the threads on catalytic converter theft prevention here that I can find. Just dropping in to ask about Gen 3 catalytic converter defense successes and otherwise. I had a Cat Security shield installed, and so far, so good. However I do sometimes wish I'd installed a Cat Strap or tried a rebar option just for my peace of mind. Has anything that anyone has tried really worked well? And any attempted solutions that have turned out to not be a good defense?
Gen3 is not nearly targeted as often as other cars in general... And Gen2 Prius are the main targets. Your main worry is dumb thieves who don't yet know the nightmare of failing or near failing to remove a gen3 cat. They won't make that blunder more than twice. And given the number of Prius are so common, the odds are in your favor of not having anything to worry about.
Actually, Gen 3 cats are as easy to steal successfully as those of the Gen 2. There was one individual with a Gen 3 stolen in Bellevue, WA with one clean cut, the oxygen sensor wires severed and the two bolts of the exhaust manifold removed. With the one clean cut at one particular place with a Sawzall and removing the two bolts, the converter just falls down by gravity just like on the Gen 2. Knowing not to cut the coolant lines to the engine pre-heater means that no fluid would leak out onto the thief. This is not widely known, but will definitely affect theft of Gen 3 cats in the future.
