Yeah, with over 8 inches of ground clearance, it is a target for sure.

 

Maybe you can buy a "hot" one from Craig's List or a "Chop Shop." You might even get your old, stolen one back. :-)

 

Just to close this out, got the final repair bill (insurance paid). A hair under $7000 CAD (~$5130 USD)! They had to airfreight a cat in from Japan! I can only imagine what one would cost for a Lexus, even assuming you can get one.

 

Hey @Eagleboy99, curious if you have since decided on any type of cat protection for your RX? I will be getting my 350H on Friday... after dealing with a stolen converter on my last car, a Prius, I want to do everything I can to protect this one.

 

AFAIK there is no cat cage available for the 23 RX. Prius is a high-value target and I expect the Lexus to be the same. No idea if/when someone will make one. Worst case, I'll design one if my 350h ever arrives. The one for my Mits is stainless steel and will at least slow them down.

 

Yea that's what my research is showing too. My car will come with an alarm system that will (should, hopefully) go off if the car is bumped and especially jacked up. Beyond that I want to at the very least do the spray paint and etching thing. Will look into one of the Cat Clamps as well.

Would love to hear anyone else's experience in taking some cat theft protection steps.

 

A diamond wire saw, which is what the use now, will make short order of the Cat Clamp. And they don't have to jack up the RX - there is enough clearance.

 

Really? With only 8.5" of clearance? Have to be a tiny person. But man that is really a bummer all around. Don't understand why at this point the brands don't do anything about it.

 

Yeah, the police know the sort of folks involved, but they have to prove it. Skinny guys or guys with long arms. And a diamond wire saw - in and out in under 90 seconds. I think Toyota is offering some sort of protection now. https://www.torquenews.com/14093/toy...eft-protection Should be standard.

 

Toyota https://www.gatewaytoyota.ca/parts/t...verter-shield/

 

Eager to protect my new '23 RX 350h converter - my dealer here in MA says a shield is "not available" from them - but that I might be able to find aftermarket.
Not eager to add too many aftermarket things to my car - do we think Lexus dealers will eventually carry this item?
I park in garage day and night, but still nervous about theft when out and about...

 

Take a look and I think you’ll find the catalytic converter is inches from the exhaust ports between the engine and the firewall. I know for sure it is on the 2.4L turbo engines. Thieves will have no interest trying to steal those when there are easy ones out there to take.

 

Based on the comments above, the 350h most likely has a Cat Converter exposed, the gas model did not. The debate is about what is Part J52.

 

All they offered me at delivery (for a price) was VIN etching on the cat.

 

Agreed on part J52 but I am almost positive it’s a resonator since there is no ground side heat shield or O2 sensors fore and aft.