Bottom line is, catalytic converter theft is a major headache for vehicle owners and law enforcement alike—and it’s only getting worse as we roll into 2025. If you’ve even thought about safeguarding your ride, you’ve probably stumbled on terms like converter shield vs cage, or read a cat cage review promising to keep the lowlifes at bay. But do these metal contraptions actually The Weekly Driver work? Let’s cut through the noise.

Current Stats and Trends: The Theft Epidemic in 2025

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), catalytic converter theft continues to skyrocket year over year. The reason? Insufferable lowlifes and scrappers know these devices are like little goldmines—because they basically are.

Year Reported Thefts (US) Average Cost to Replace 2023 20,000+ $1,200 - $3,000 2024 25,000+ $1,400 - $3,500 2025 (projected) 30,000+ $1,600 - $4,000

The price spikes aren’t just labor and parts; they reflect the skyrocketing cost of the precious metals inside converters. Rhodium, one of the key metals used, has literally hit about $10,000 per ounce. Think about it for a second—thieves snatch a small chunk of your car’s underbelly and haul off what’s essentially a few ounces of the automotive equivalent of bullion.

Why Thieves Keep Targeting Catalytic Converters

Ever wonder why they target a Prius and other hybrids more than your average sedan? It’s all about the content inside the converter:

Rhodium: Used for emissions control and fetching top dollar on the black market. Palladium: Another platinum group metal that’s rare and expensive. Platinum: Classic precious metal, valuable and durable.

Hybrids and some gas guzzlers have converters with higher concentrations of these metals—making them prime targets. The NICB points out that Toyota Prius and Ford trucks remain high on scrappers’ hit lists because their converters yield more precious metals compared to others.

Which Vehicles Are Most at Risk?

While any car can get hit, some get hit repeatedly. The lowlifes are looking for easy pickings—here’s who’s most vulnerable:

Toyota Prius: Its converter contains a higher amount of precious metals. Pickup Trucks & SUVs: Ground clearance makes it accessible, plus converters are bigger. Older Vehicles with Tall Rides: Less shielding from the frame.

The reason pickups are attractive is the extra space and easier access underneath—low-profile sedans sometimes pose more of a challenge.

Converter Shield vs Cage: What’s the Difference?

Here’s the meat and potatoes of converter protection. Shop talk often debates converter shield vs cage—what actually protects better?

Converter Shields: These are generally flat metal plates bolted over or around the converter, designed to block access or make removal tougher. Cat Cages: Steel or heavy-gauge metal cages that fully enclose the converter, locking it in place with bolts (grade 8 bolts, preferably—I never trust anything weaker).

The logic behind both is to increase the time lowlifes spend trying to get your converter off. Since they usually bring battery-powered reciprocating saws, the faster they can cut the converter free, the more likely they’ll come back. These saws can zip through normal bolts or thin metal in seconds, so the challenge is creating a barrier thick or complicated enough to slow them down.

Cat Cage Review: Are They Worth It?

Major players like CatClamp and MillerCAT have pushed cat cages that lock converters inside tough steel shells. Here’s the honest deal:

Pros:
- Physical barriers slow down or sometimes stop the theft. Harder access means thieves may skip your ride if they see a cage. Peace of mind knowing your converter isn’t just sitting out there.
Cons:
- They add weight and sometimes complicate replacement or exhaust work. Cutters with enough time and tools can still get through (not invincible). Installation can be pricey—several hundred dollars d

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