Son is working temp job at a hospital lab up in Pennsylvania. He left his apartment parking lot this morning only to hear a horrible noise. He took it to the nearest Toyota dealer, who said the cat. converter had been stolen. He drove back to the apartment complex, called police to file a report and contacted his insurance agency (USAA). When the insurance is resolved (after deductible), should he go to a Toy dealer to get new converter or local independent mechanic? Any thoughts? Prius has only 120k miles.
I wouldn't go eBay or Amazon but a quality aftermarket converter should be perfectly fine. If an independant mechanic is installing it I would just let the mechanic supply it. Stay away from the dealerships.
Just buy a new catalytic converter for the Prius and have an exhaust/muffler shop weld the new one back on. It doesn't have to be done by an actual mechanic.
Where do you buy a new one other than the dealer?
@farmerbill
There are many aftermarket options (after a quick search on Google). Just make sure the one you buy is EPA/CARB approved for emissions inspections.
Thanks. I saw one on Amazon Autosaver88 for $143. So...why are folks saying it costs $2000 to replace a stolen cat. converter, if this one is EPA approved? What am I missing about the Amazon catalytic converters for an 08 Prius 1.5?
@farmerbill
Brand new OEM ones from the dealership/special order are the expensive ones up to like $1000. But the pricing will determine the quality of the catalyst and how well it will work (otherwise check engine light will turn on).
Depending on your state, it can cost a couple hundred to $2000 to replace a cat.
In some states regulations only permit direct fit OEM cats with a special stamp of approval. On top of that, it is illegal to sell these as aftermarket cars within the state. So the dealer only has them. Which makes it expensive.
In other states, you can just use a universal cat. Cheaper.
Thanks. Will call some independent mechanics in that city to see what they recommend. I called my mechanic here, and he said his body shop guy had his catalytic converter stolen last week! Seems Prius cats are popular because, being hybrids, they do not wear as much.
Most of the cost of a cat is the part. It's only an hour labor, to install, in most cases. If you do take it to an independent mechanic, make sure it's one who knows how to service Priuses.
As far as where to get it done? Price compare an independent shop and the dealer. Make sure it is the same cat you are comparing.
Whomever you decide to supply and fit the new cat, ask them about fitting an anti theft shield over the new one. Cat converter theft is a growing problem due to the value of the rare metals inside
I didn't know about eh antitheft shield. Will look into that. I read today where a "ring" of Prius cat converter thieves were caught in the act in South Carolina.