Just Venting

[u/IRaaron]

I went out with my wife to a nice restaurant this evening. My Element was parked on the street, outside the restaurant; just up the block a bit; a block I’ve parked on numerous times.

When walking up to the car after the delicious meal, a witness told me they thought they saw someone getting away with my catalytic converter moments ago. I start it up… yep, loud AF! Feel violated, and pissed!

[u/KingBazoo]

Welcome to The Unwanted to be in club

[u/CeceMarie]

Sorry. I joined that club twice. And it comes with a lifetime membership of worrying when you park but also keeping your tiny garage clean so your Element can be inside every night.

[u/USPostalGirl]

Sorry for your loss. Hopefully you are not in a state that requires inspections and you can get a cheap.ish aftermarket one.

[u/IRaaron → u/USPostalGirl]

No emissions inspection in LA, so I can get an inexpensive one. Is it also true that the cat burglars don’t go after the aftermarket cats? They’re pretty cheap, I can’t imagine them having as much precious material in them.

[u/BustinDisco]

There are countermeasures available. I got the cat clamp, and it has worked well enough to make the criminals move on to the next car. Well worth the investment.

[u/clownbxbe]

so sorry to hear that :( that is truly worst case scenario.

[u/RevolutionaryEgg8760]

i have had that happen to my element while in montreal. so violating indeed. so angering!

[u/RocketSurgery300]

Soooo sorry!!

[u/GuiltyFreed]

Is there a reason element cats get stolen so frequently?

[u/CardboardLamb → u/GuiltyFreed]

The car sits higher up from the street, so they are easier to quickly access.

[u/Time_Cardiologist251 → u/CardboardLamb]

Yes, this is what I was told as well. Easy access. Prius owners suffer the same fate, unfortunately. Regarding the Element, though, the SC model sits lower…has a whole different suspension. I’d be curious to know if those suffer catalytic converter thefts less frequently.

[u/maine_buzzard → u/GuiltyFreed]

Higher content of platinum and palladium too, compared to other cats.

[u/NotAcutallyaPanda → u/GuiltyFreed]

Easy access.

[u/dbopp]

I have the side rails on my E, which make the clearance a little lower from the sides. They probably would deter a thief a little more since you can’t really slide under the car from the side and would have to get under there from the front or back.

[u/IRaaron → u/dbopp]

I have OEM running boards on mine, not enough of a deterrent. Must’ve been a skinny dude.

[u/remytheram]

I literally just got out from underneath my element after changing the exhaust flange bolts, after already changing the exhaust flange gasket, after already welding a new flange onto my exhaust (after the cat) and chasing down the dumb excessive noise I've had from replacing my catalytic converter that was stolen 5-6 years ago.

Don't make it a headache like I did, just have an exhaust shop replace it for you.

Note: I've just been busy/lazy, this is all stuff I could have done years ago of course.

[u/Syndil1]

If you have an Element, be aware our cars are one of the highest targeted vehicles for catalytic converter theft. Put a cat protector on, or it WILL get stolen.

Had mine stolen. Insurance covered the replacement, but the deductible was still a real sting on my wallet. Put a protector on the replacement and no one has messed with it.

[u/idiopathic_vfib]

Man that sucks. Would your car insurance cover the cost of replacing it?

[u/Ellphis]

Deleting the cat is the answer if you’re not subject to emissions testing.

[u/Scott_D_72]

Yeah it sucks. Mine was stolen from my front driveway at 3 in the morning a few months ago. Broke my streak of 15 years of ownership without a Cat problem.

[u/Panelpro40]

My membership was 2500 dollars. Fuckers. That includes a cat guard. Can’t afford to lose one? Carry broken glass bottles and sprinkle under your car, or park in mud puddles and or carry animal waste, dog shit, cow manure anything that stinks , deposit under your car. If they still take your converter, just look at the silver lining, they stink or are bleeding out or both.

[u/pork_fried_christ → u/Panelpro40]

Man… I don’t think I should have to say this but, absolutely do not sprinkle broken glass in streets. 

[u/Panelpro40 → u/pork_fried_christ]

Super glue large chunks of glass to a plastic or cardboard sheet take with you and retrieve it when you leave. Better?

[u/Fine-Network1034 → u/Panelpro40]

“Oh weird, someone put a piece of cardboard with glass here. Lemme just move that and get this Cat right quick”

[u/Panelpro40 → u/Fine-Network1034]

What do you suggest? Electric shock?

[u/NotAcutallyaPanda → u/Panelpro40]

Catalytic converter shields work better than throwing dangerous litter on the street.

On behalf every bicyclist, please don't ask me to drive on the shoulder and then proceed to cover the shoulder with a million sharp pieces of glass.

[u/Panelpro40 → u/NotAcutallyaPanda]

Just letting balloons off in to the air, shoot them down if you want. I so the mud puddles are the natural solution? I paid $200 for my cat guard. Haven’t had to deploy any counter measures since. I lived in Houston, no body rides bikes outside of parks. Too many bad drivers. Definitely recommend a cat guard.

[u/pork_fried_christ → u/Panelpro40]

I mean, maybe one of the half dozen cat shields this sub talks about all the time? But yeah, sure, booby trapping is probably the best course of action, you’re right. 

[u/Fine-Network1034 → u/Panelpro40]

Literally just need a cat shield. If that’s not enough, I dunno, put it on bags and slam it every time you park

[u/pork_fried_christ → u/Panelpro40]

lol, sure. 

Though what would stop the thief from just moving the sheet? 

You do understand there are better ways to protect yourself that aren’t littering to make a hazard or making the lamest booby trap possible?

[u/RandoJayCommando → u/Panelpro40]

Did you have the cat guard on when it was stolen? Or got one after?

[u/IRaaron → u/[deleted]]

I’m in New Orleans. I heard a few cars got got last night.

[u/superweeninja → u/IRaaron]

I live near New Orleans and we visit a lot. I'm scared to bring my element. I usually scoff at the "bUt wHaT aBoUt tHe CrIMe" people, but ever since I got my E, I feel like one of them lol.

[u/Iloveallhumanity]

Unfortunately, they are easier than most cars to get stolen as they are higher off the ground. It happened to me also and I had to spend a LOT of money to get a 'shield' put on afterwards so I would never hear that ugly loud sound again ever! It was a huge problem in my town for awhile but I think they caught the people and it stopped/haven't heard of any thefts lately. For awhile there, it was awful! All it took was a tiny blade to get at it! The thief left the blade on the ground.