Lock for catalytic converter.

FionnK86 · 31-10-2019 10:34pm

Keith186 wrote: »

If I saw them in action stealing one I'd love to have the balls to 'accidentally' tip off the car if I was driving by and maybe it might come off the jack. Would serve them right.
No one else is doing anything to stop them so the problem is going to get worse I'd say.

I had to ring guards 3 times, giving details 3 times, only to be told there would be no point as they're travelling gangs who change the regs of stolen cars.

If you or I lowered the car, we'd be before Ms Justice Reynolds with an attempted murder charge whereas they can take our hard earned money without any possible legal retribution.

What do you do when the system is broken?

Wibbs · 31-10-2019 10:46pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

Guards said they won’t be able to catch car that took mine and were hesitant to even go the gym in Northwood to get CCTV.

5 reported in last 2 days.

I’ll be buying proper dash cam and do rounds myself of car parks to see if I can catch anyone.

Unfortunately F I have found the Guards about as much use as tits on a bull when it comes to crimes against property. Oh and that's not a recent thing either, but it has gotten worse. Even if you did secure video I reckon eff all would happen or be done about it. My only angle on this would be to see if you can get a lock/guard for your catalytic converter and/or a tilt sensor for your alarm.*

Secondly, and I suspect this will actually have more impact, is to stop frequenting known bad car parks and the like, when business drops and it starts to cost money then maybe they'll attempt to protect their wallets, sorry customers. There are a number of car parks, shopping centres and other places I just won't go to because of the level of car crime going on. Anywhere they think a large number of people are going to be gone for some time will be prime hunting grounds for the thieving scum. Cinemas, gyms and the like. That so many places refuse to patrol and attempt to secure their customer's cars property and fob people off with a sign that says "Not our problem chief" is a bloody scandal, so if at all possible don't give them your hard earned.

*though I suspect that would be hard to add to the manufacturer's system? I have tilt and a few other sensors proximity and the like, but mine's a third party system on an old car, which makes that kinda thing easier.

Wibbs · 31-10-2019 10:51pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

travelling gangs

"Travelling gangs". I do love the euphemisms...

FionnK86 · 31-10-2019 11:07pm

Wibbs wrote: »

Unfortunately F I have found the Guards about as much use as tits on a bull when it comes to crimes against property. Oh and that's not a recent thing either, but it has gotten worse. Even if you did secure video I reckon eff all would happen or be done about it. My only angle on this would be to see if you can get a lock/guard for your catalytic converter and/or a tilt sensor for your alarm.*

Secondly, and I suspect this will actually have more impact, is to stop frequenting known bad car parks and the like, when business drops and it starts to cost money then maybe they'll attempt to protect their wallets, sorry customers. There are a number of car parks, shopping centres and other places I just won't go to because of the level of car crime going on. Anywhere they think a large number of people are going to be gone for some time will be prime hunting grounds for the thieving scum. Cinemas, gyms and the like. That so many places refuse to patrol and attempt to secure their customer's cars property and fob people off with a sign that says "Not our problem chief" is a bloody scandal, so if at all possible don't give them your hard earned.

*though I suspect that would be hard to add to the manufacturer's system? I have tilt and a few other sensors proximity and the like, but mine's a third party system on an old car, which makes that kinda thing easier.

My intention to secure the footage, is to use footage to do what the guards can't do and I won't incriminate myself further.

BD Gyms haven't done much, they'll wait for eventual request which probably won't come. I'll annoy them with a GDPR request for all CCTV of me leaving car and entering car, that'll p*ss them off any hopefully they might offer me something to stop.

Will screw their social media too with pictures.

I wouldn't mind but typically I park with the tow hitch on the yaris right up against the curb by the door of the gym, under floodlights.

It was just too busy and i'd to park away from footfall area.

What's a euphemism boss?

LuasSimon · 31-10-2019 11:16pm

Wibbs wrote: »

"Travelling gangs". I do love the euphemisms...

Travelling gangs are cleaning up out of catalytic converters , add this to their weekly unquestioned welfare , annual personal injury claim and dealing cocaine , burgularies their becoming the new rich of this country .

um7y1h83ge06nx · 31-10-2019 11:27pm

Locks aren't the true solutions, tackling the root cause is. Put enough of pressure on these scum by constant state intimidation that they fcuk off out of the country, maybe off to their scum relatives traveling around the UK.

But as we all know that won't happen.

irishgirl19 · 31-10-2019 11:34pm

@Fionnk86, really sorry to hear about your car ðŸ˜”.
Thanks for the advice regarding Toyota GB. I am going to ring one of the toyotas in the North tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

FionnK86 · 01-11-2019 5:45am

irishgirl19 wrote: »

@Fionnk86, really sorry to hear about your car ðŸ˜”.
Thanks for the advice regarding Toyota GB. I am going to ring one of the toyotas in the North tomorrow. Will keep you posted.

Do try scrap yards, and try have lock made up with your VIN on it.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/theft-of-catalytic-converters-from-cars-quite-common-1.3989994

You can see it can happen twice.

I can only hope that the more society becomes web-based & data is collected, that these cavemen will be forced to coexist with us and operate IAW the law.

The system of station policing is cumbersome and antiquated, we need a judicial revolution to take advantage of The Information Age, not fall victim to it.

Del2005 · 01-11-2019 10:03am

FionnK86 wrote: »

My intention to secure the footage, is to use footage to do what the guards can't do and I won't incriminate myself further.

BD Gyms haven't done much, they'll wait for eventual request which probably won't come. I'll annoy them with a GDPR request for all CCTV of me leaving car and entering car, that'll p*ss them off any hopefully they might offer me something to stop.

Will screw their social media too with pictures.

I wouldn't mind but typically I park with the tow hitch on the yaris right up against the curb by the door of the gym, under floodlights.

It was just too busy and i'd to park away from footfall area.

What's a euphemism boss?

They would have to redact the person stealing the cat from your car and every other thing on the CCTV bar you and your car. You can't have the data of anyone else who was there at the time and very few businesses have the capacity to do the required redaction, which is why CCTV is only given to the Gardai.

Buisness can do nothing about this. They can hardly do anything about shp lifters caught in the act, what can they do about people driving around stealing from their car parks?

FionnK86 · 01-11-2019 11:12am

Del2005 wrote: »

They would have to redact the person stealing the cat from your car and every other thing on the CCTV bar you and your car. You can't have the data of anyone else who was there at the time and very few businesses have the capacity to do the required redaction, which is why CCTV is only given to the Gardai.

Buisness can do nothing about this. They can hardly do anything about shp lifters caught in the act, what can they do about people driving around stealing from their car parks?

That’s fine, I’ll be entitled to my own.

BD have put signage up regarding non-paying customers in the car park, they have a barrier on exit. They should make the barrier scan the pass, the same way paying customers need to scan in and out.

Everyone has a responsibility to do something to combat crime, the victim, the police and anybody who may have witnessed it. (Including CCTV)

Why not pay someone to patrol it and do odd jobs, such as move non-paying customers on?

They do it Blanchardstown, why not Northwood.

I simply don’t buy this Pontius pilate attitude that Irish business are just trying to make a living and why should I bother them, if someone came looking for my dash cam footage, I’d provide it with a moments notice having read the reg.

Lewis_Benson · 01-11-2019 3:04pm

Set up a bait car In a known black spot.
Have a group in hiding waiting for mr scum to arrive with his buddies.

Del2005 · 01-11-2019 3:37pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

That’s fine, I’ll be entitled to my own.

BD have put signage up regarding non-paying customers in the car park, they have a barrier on exit. They should make the barrier scan the pass, the same way paying customers need to scan in and out.

Everyone has a responsibility to do something to combat crime, the victim, the police and anybody who may have witnessed it. (Including CCTV)

Why not pay someone to patrol it and do odd jobs, such as move non-paying customers on?

They do it Blanchardstown, why not Northwood.

I simply don’t buy this Pontius pilate attitude that Irish business are just trying to make a living and why should I bother them, if someone came looking for my dash cam footage, I’d provide it with a moments notice having read the reg.

What can a person earning minimum wage do? They can't even hold onto someone who they see stealing from a business, so what do they do to someone driving around a car park. Do you think that businesses like not being able to protect their and their customers property? Our courts protect the offenders more than the victims.

Private dash cam footage is a completely different story to CCTV from a buisness.

irishgirl19 · 21-02-2020 12:24pm

Never bought the lock like a fool. Catalytic converter robbed at half 6 this morning outside our house. Neighbour knocked in and said 2 foreigners outside the car at half 6 with the boot open on their car. Tried to start the car and the cat was gone. Dirt bags

FionnK86 · 21-02-2020 12:36pm

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Never bought the lock like a fool. Catalytic converter robbed at half 6 this morning outside our house. Neighbour knocked in and said 2 foreigners outside the car at half 6 with the boot open on their car. Tried to start the car and the cat was gone. Dirt bags

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you’ll have more luck going after foreigners than I had going after the cultured community who apparently took mine.

The guards said they can’t touch those who took mine.

irishgirl19 · 21-02-2020 12:41pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you’ll have more luck going after foreigners than I had going after the cultured community who apparently took mine.

The guards said they can’t touch those who took mine.

It's so rampant now I doubt they can do anything. I wonder who they are selling these to.
I don't even know if should replace it for fear of the same thing happening again

FionnK86 · 21-02-2020 12:50pm

irishgirl19 wrote: »

It's so rampant now I doubt they can do anything. I wonder who they are selling these to.
I don't even know if should replace it for fear of the same thing happening again

Isn’t your first sentence gas when you think about it?

Rephrased - this crime has become so widespread that the police can’t police.

There are number of scrap dealers on border taking them in, with same business motto as the guards “of ah sure, if nobody’s chasin’ it up in the papers sure we’ll be grand”.

I had a pass from cops in writing to operate without it, but I doubt it would hold up in court.

irishgirl19 · 21-02-2020 1:28pm

Guards sending someone later to see if they can get prints. They said with some of the tools these guys have a lock wouldn't stop them

creedp · 21-02-2020 2:26pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

Isn’t your first sentence gas when you think about it?

Rephrased - this crime has become so widespread that the police can’t police.

There are number of scrap dealers on border taking them in, with same business motto as the guards “of ah sure, if nobody’s chasin’ it up in the papers sure we’ll be grand”.

I had a pass from cops in writing to operate without it, but I doubt it would hold up in court.

This could become a great circular business for the scrappies .. thief robs catalytic converter .. sells it to scrappie … scrappie sells it back to original owner … rinse and repeat!!

irishgirl19 · 21-02-2020 2:48pm

creedp wrote: »

This could become a great circular business for the scrappies .. thief robs catalytic converter .. sells it to scrappie … scrappie sells it back to original owner … rinse and repeat!!

My dad linked me to a Toyota one on adverts. I said sure that's probably stolen too!
I'm going to get a spurious one. Mechanic said they shouldn't rob that one because it will be worth nothing.
Think Toyota have a waiting list for their ones. I didn't bother ringing because my friend was quoted 1200 for hers and I'd nearly change the car before paying that. Because it would just be stolen again

Borderfox · 21-02-2020 2:50pm

Guy in work had one robbed off a 2003 yaris!!

irishgirl19 · 21-02-2020 3:03pm

Borderfox wrote: »

Guy in work had one robbed off a 2003 yaris!!

Are the yaris ones even worth anything?

gypsylee · 21-02-2020 3:09pm

I had one stolen off my car years ago. Hyundai Tucson. Car was parked in a very public car park while I was at work across the road. Insurance paid out over €5,000 to cover the cost of it. Obviously a lucrative business.

jmreire · 21-02-2020 3:39pm

Just my own 2 pennies worth...the tools used are generally 4" or 6" hand held battery powered grinders. These will cut through any metal as they are designed to do, but these discs cannot cut through cement ( unless fitted with special disc / blade ) so how about a panel made of two metal sheets about 3/8 or 1/2" apart and filled with a very hard concrete, and bolted to the chassis under neath the CAT? These could be designed to fit most cars. As it is, most cars have plastic shield's under the engine section, and in quite a lot of cars these shields cover most of the underside of a vehicle.
Sounds strange and maybe laughable, I know, but a it is, we are completely unprotected and at the mercy of these scum, so a different approach is needed.

pablo128 · 21-02-2020 3:53pm

jmreire wrote: »

Just my own 2 pennies worth...the tools used are generally 4" or 6" hand held battery powered grinders. These will cut through any metal as they are designed to do, but these discs cannot cut through cement ( unless fitted with special disc / blade ) so how about a panel made of two metal sheets about 3/8 or 1/2" apart and filled with a very hard concrete, and bolted to the chassis under neath the CAT? These could be designed to fit most cars. As it is, most cars have plastic shield's under the engine section, and in quite a lot of cars these shields cover most of the underside of a vehicle.
Sounds strange and maybe laughable, I know, but a it is, we are completely unprotected and at the mercy of these scum, so a different approach is needed.

Coat the pipes in asbestos. At least the kunts will get cancer after cutting through it.

elperello · 21-02-2020 4:20pm

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

All ended badly for this thief.

Guy:Incognito · 21-02-2020 5:43pm

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Never bought the lock like a fool. Catalytic converter robbed at half 6 this morning outside our house. Neighbour knocked in and said 2 foreigners outside the car at half 6 with the boot open on their car. Tried to start the car and the cat was gone. Dirt bags

Did he watch them and wait for them to finish then knock in?

irishgirl19 · 21-02-2020 5:46pm

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Did he watch them and wait for them to finish then knock in?

On camera took them exactly two minutes. Quality too bad for reg plate.
Neighbour heard a noise and looked out and seen them jump back into car and drove off.

tcawley29 · 21-02-2020 5:59pm

elperello wrote: »

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

All ended badly for this thief.

hope it was a slow death

Guy:Incognito · 21-02-2020 6:01pm

irishgirl19 wrote: »

On camera took them exactly two minutes. Quality too bad for reg plate.
Neighbour heard a noise and looked out and seen them jump back into car and drove off.

Did they get a good view of them on the camera for the gards?

Grayditch · 21-02-2020 6:34pm

I was thinking if either parking close to a wall to restrict access (pain to angle every night), or fit a motion alarm under the car (neighbours will kill me any time there's a cat, though).

elperello · 21-02-2020 6:34pm

jmreire wrote: »

Just my own 2 pennies worth...the tools used are generally 4" or 6" hand held battery powered grinders. These will cut through any metal as they are designed to do, but these discs cannot cut through cement ( unless fitted with special disc / blade ) so how about a panel made of two metal sheets about 3/8 or 1/2" apart and filled with a very hard concrete, and bolted to the chassis under neath the CAT? These could be designed to fit most cars. As it is, most cars have plastic shield's under the engine section, and in quite a lot of cars these shields cover most of the underside of a vehicle.
Sounds strange and maybe laughable, I know, but a it is, we are completely unprotected and at the mercy of these scum, so a different approach is needed.

Good idea but a sheet of steel would probably be enough to make them move on to another car.

Sump guards are used on rally cars or off roaders so something like that.

https://www.google.ie/search?q=subaru+sump+guard&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLw6DMluPnAhXfSBUIHSdHAVoQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=1366&bih=625

Del2005 · 21-02-2020 7:53pm

jmreire wrote: »

Just my own 2 pennies worth...the tools used are generally 4" or 6" hand held battery powered grinders. These will cut through any metal as they are designed to do, but these discs cannot cut through cement ( unless fitted with special disc / blade ) so how about a panel made of two metal sheets about 3/8 or 1/2" apart and filled with a very hard concrete, and bolted to the chassis under neath the CAT? These could be designed to fit most cars. As it is, most cars have plastic shield's under the engine section, and in quite a lot of cars these shields cover most of the underside of a vehicle.
Sounds strange and maybe laughable, I know, but a it is, we are completely unprotected and at the mercy of these scum, so a different approach is needed.

The majority of a car is made from thin sheet metal. Putting a strong protective shield onto sheet metal won't be much of a deterrent as they'll just use a crowbar to lever off the protective sheet.

The solution isn't to make our cars heavier it's to make the people buying scrap accountable for where it comes from, cut the money and they'll stop robbing.

jmreire · 21-02-2020 8:07pm

elperello wrote: »

Good idea but a sheet of steel would probably be enough to make them move on to another car.

Sump guards are used on rally cars or off roaders so something like that.

https://www.google.ie/search?q=subaru+sump+guard&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLw6DMluPnAhXfSBUIHSdHAVoQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=1366&bih=625

Yes, anything to convert it from a 2 min job, to 22 min or more. I know about the racing / rally car under body protection. There are even standard cars fitted with under body shielding...Mercedes Benz is one, but I'm pretty sure that there are more makes. Its factory / specialist manufactured, but I'm pretty sure that a good fabricator could make one too. Might be an idea for some enterprising person to setup a business or for an existing business to develop this as a business idea? For sure, CAT theft is now so widespread, that it would have a good market. Even 1/8" inch mild steel plate would do the job. A template could be made for any model car, but especially for ones that are targeted the most.
Sorry, but my sympathy level for anyone who gets hurt in this kind of theft is at minus Zero level.

Emmersonn · 22-02-2020 8:37am

elperello wrote: »

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

All ended badly for this thief.

Our courts are so fcuked up if this happened here his next of kin would probably get a wad of cash from an insurance claim.

jmreire · 22-02-2020 11:41am

Del2005 wrote: »

The majority of a car is made from thin sheet metal. Putting a strong protective shield onto sheet metal won't be much of a deterrent as they'll just use a crowbar to lever off the protective sheet.

The solution isn't to make our cars heavier it's to make the people buying scrap accountable for where it comes from, cut the money and they'll stop robbing.

Sure, the outer "skin" on any car is sheet metal, but it's the way it's lapped folded and boxed that give's it it's strength, especially chassis rails..bear in mind that it's the chassis rails that hold the whole car together, all 2 ton of it, and even more in van's etc. Even with a 6' crowbar, and working on a lift, try levering any part off the chassis,,,,,, would be even worse lying on the flat of your back with little clearance, and a short 18" bar. No, I think that they would look for easier picking's.
But the down side to this,I have read of a case where the Owner had removed the cat, and when the thieve's discovered this, in retribution, they slashed all the tyres on the car. More jails, longer sentences, for EVERYONE connected to this kind of theft. But that's another pipe dream here in Ireland

elperello · 22-02-2020 12:04pm

jmreire wrote: »

Sure, the outer "skin" on any car is sheet metal, but it's the way it's lapped folded and boxed that give's it it's strength, especially chassis rails..bear in mind that it's the chassis rails that hold the whole car together, all 2 ton of it, and even more in van's etc. Even with a 6' crowbar, and working on a lift, try levering any part off the chassis,,,,,, would be even worse lying on the flat of your back with little clearance, and a short 18" bar. No, I think that they would look for easier picking's.
But the down side to this,I have read of a case where the Owner had removed the cat, and when the thieve's discovered this, in retribution, they slashed all the tyres on the car. More jails, longer sentences, for EVERYONE connected to this kind of theft. But that's another pipe dream here in Ireland

I'm pretty sure the metal guard is the answer for an individual owner trying to protect their property. As you say the object is to get them to move on and rob the next car.

Design could also play a role. The Mitsubishi Outlander Phev has the Cat under the bonnet. Manufacturers who continue to place a high value component in such a vulnerable position should rethink.

Lastly then law enforcement after the fact. Agree sentences should be longer for stealers and buyers. Clamping down on rogue scrap yards here will probably lead to more export.

jmreire · 22-02-2020 4:47pm

elperello wrote: »

I'm pretty sure the metal guard is the answer for an individual owner trying to protect their property. As you say the object is to get them to move on and rob the next car.

Design could also play a role. The Mitsubishi Outlander Phev has the Cat under the bonnet. Manufacturers who continue to place a high value component in such a vulnerable position should rethink.

Lastly then law enforcement after the fact. Agree sentences should be longer for stealers and buyers. Clamping down on rogue scrap yards here will probably lead to more export.

Yes, design could play a very important part in preventing CAT theft...Would be interesting to see the statistics on which vehicles are most affected, and why? Could be a good selling too....." This car statistically has the lowest incident of CAT theft"...black humour.

Crock Rock · 23-02-2020 12:25am

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Did they get a good view of them on the camera for the gards?

Guards are useless as a nun's gowl.

They'll just tell you it's a "civil matter" and give you more hassle if you press the issue.

irishgirl19 · 23-02-2020 12:30am

No footage wasn't great unfortunately. They looked mostly covered though.

hoodie6029 · 24-02-2020 8:40pm

Interesting thread as a Prius owner. Since these thefts escalated in the last 18 months or so I've started I always try to park between two other cars to prevent access in car parks.
Looked into cat locks and one place at Newlands Cross, part of the Auto key place, wanted 479 before VAT to fit one.
Souhans Garage in Trim do a piece of angle iron welded over part of the exhaust to protect it. Haven't priced it yet. Screenshot in the attachment of it.
Again not 100% deterrent but might be enough to get them to move on. That's about all you can hope for.

jmreire · 24-02-2020 8:58pm

hoodie6029 wrote: »

Interesting thread as a Prius owner. Since these thefts escalated in the last 18 months or so I've started I always try to park between two other cars to prevent access in car parks.
Looked into cat locks and one place at Newlands Cross, part of the Auto key place, wanted 479 before VAT to fit one.
Souhans Garage in Trim do a piece of angle iron welded over part of the exhaust to protect it. Haven't priced it yet. Screenshot in the attachment of it.
Again not 100% deterrent but might be enough to get them to move on. That's about all you can hope for.

That's the general idea all right, make it as difficult and time consuming as possible for them.

irishgirl19 · 24-02-2020 9:26pm

hoodie6029 wrote: »

Interesting thread as a Prius owner. Since these thefts escalated in the last 18 months or so I've started I always try to park between two other cars to prevent access in car parks.
Looked into cat locks and one place at Newlands Cross, part of the Auto key place, wanted 479 before VAT to fit one.
Souhans Garage in Trim do a piece of angle iron welded over part of the exhaust to protect it. Haven't priced it yet. Screenshot in the attachment of it.
Again not 100% deterrent but might be enough to get them to move on. That's about all you can hope for.

Thanks might price this. Although my husband thinks now if we get a lock it might make thieves think that there's a Toyota cat coverter under it and be more inclined to cut it. What do you think?
Newlands cross place funnily enough quoted me €350 for one fitted about 2 weeks ago.
Have ordered window stickers stating that it's a non Toyota catalytic converter. For all the good it will probably do...

I looked into a tilt sensor alarm today but I was told because I have a factory alarm that I'd need a whole new alarm system just to get the tilt sensor which is near enough 350 which is the same price as the lock.

I always parked with bonnet facing in between 2 cars in shopping centres. In the end they got me at my house.
I expected it to happen in a shopping centre but not at my garden.

Edit to add : I got it replaced with a universal cat instead of a Toyota one.
1 because of cost and 2 because I would've been too afraid that they'd just steal the Toyota one again which happened to someone I know

jmreire · 24-02-2020 9:51pm

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Thanks might price this. Although my husband thinks now if we get a lock it might make thieves think that there's a Toyota cat coverter under it and be more inclined to cut it. What do you think?
Newlands cross place funnily enough quoted me €350 for one fitted about 2 weeks ago.
Have ordered window stickers stating that it's a non Toyota catalytic converter. For all the good it will probably do...

I looked into a tilt sensor alarm today but I was told because I have a factory alarm that I'd need a whole new alarm system just to get the tilt sensor which is near enough 350 which is the same price as the lock.

I always parked with bonnet facing in between 2 cars in shopping centres. In the end they got me at my house.
I expected it to happen in a shopping centre but not at my garden

The only sign that might stop them would be one that read:

" IF YOU WANT THE CAT ON THIS CAR, YOU ARE TOO LATE. IT WAS STOLEN BY THIEVING SCUMBAGS LAST WEEK SO I HAVE REMAPPED IT TO RUN WITHOUT ANY CAT"
Best protection is a steel plate covering the cat to make it extremely difficult to remove. If I had a make / model that was very attractive for these scumbags, that's what I would do.

irishgirl19 · 24-02-2020 9:53pm

jmreire wrote: »

The only sign that might stop them would be one that read:

" IF YOU WANT THE CAT ON THIS CAR, YOU ARE TOO LATE. IT WAS STOLEN BY THIEVING SCUMBAGS LAST WEEK SO I HAVE REMAPPED IT TO RUN WITHOUT ANY CAT"
Best protection is a steel plate covering the cat to make it extremely difficult to remove. If I had a make / model that was very attractive for these scumbags, that's what I would do.

.

I definitely considered writing too late it's already stolen!!
I'm going to call the place in trim tomorrow. I'm more annoyed at myself for not being more proactive with this. I kept putting it off due to the cost but sure its after costing us almost 600 now.

irishgirl19 · 24-02-2020 9:59pm

hoodie6029 wrote: »

Interesting thread as a Prius owner. Since these thefts escalated in the last 18 months or so I've started I always try to park between two other cars to prevent access in car parks.
Looked into cat locks and one place at Newlands Cross, part of the Auto key place, wanted 479 before VAT to fit one.
Souhans Garage in Trim do a piece of angle iron welded over part of the exhaust to protect it. Haven't priced it yet. Screenshot in the attachment of it.
Again not 100% deterrent but might be enough to get them to move on. That's about all you can hope for.

I'm wondering where the heat would escape from looking at this pic?
I would get a lock if you are in a position to afford one because I didn't and am kicking myself now. Although garda didn't think it would do much to deter them if they really wanted it.
Just checked my email it was €380 the place at Newlands quoted me not €350

jmreire · 24-02-2020 10:02pm

irishgirl19 wrote: »

.

I definitely considered writing too late it's already stolen!!
I'm going to call the place in trim tomorrow. I'm more annoyed at myself for not being more proactive with this. I kept putting it off due to the cost but sure its after costing us almost 600 now.

You are right !!! It's definitely a case of lightening striking twice in the same place ( or even more...)
what make of car is it? ( sorry if you have mentioned it already ) The only preference that I would have is that the plate be bolted rather than welded to the chassis / floor, and the bolts used would not be hexagon headed, but splined or torx type, and they would be countersunk into the metal, where the grinder cannot get at them easily. Good Luck with it, and let us know how it works out for you, and some pic's of the finished product, OK? Thanks

punisher5112 · 24-02-2020 10:09pm

Most of them can't read to be honest and a sign won't stop these backstards

irishgirl19 · 24-02-2020 10:11pm

jmreire wrote: »

You are right !!! It's definitely a case of lightening striking twice in the same place ( or even more...)
what make of car is it? ( sorry if you have mentioned it already ) The only preference that I would have is that the plate be bolted rather than welded to the chassis / floor, and the bolts used would not be hexagon headed, but splined or torx type, and they would be countersunk into the metal, where the grinder cannot get at them easily. Good Luck with it, and let us know how it works out for you, and some pic's of the finished product, OK? Thanks

It's a 2nd gen prius. An 06. Have to say I love it but if its targeted again I might have to reluctantly change it.

I'll keep it updated. The exhaust place that fixed mine told my husband not to bother with a lock that any scumbag who knows what they're looking for will know ours isn't worth anything now.
But I think I would feel better with a lock. On the other side my husband thinks a lock would make them think that there's a good Toyota cat behind it

irishgirl19 · 24-02-2020 10:13pm

The exhaust place also mentioned a lot of Toyota Auris being done too.
My husband got it fixed the other day and he was one of 3 prius owners there for robbed cats by 11am..

irishgirl19 · 24-02-2020 10:16pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

Most of them can't read to be honest and a sign won't stop these backstards

Good point. I'm hoping if they jack it up again they'll fcuk off once they see its a universal one

Lock for catalytic converter.

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