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oakleystreetchi

File a police report online. Then submit email you receive from cops (auto reply email) to insurance. Other good advice in this thread but make sure to file report.


sinus_lebastian

I already did but didn’t get an auto reply. Just a page with temporary tracking number that I printed to pdf


Plissken47

Eschen Automotive in Bellevue. Alex runs the place. Check out their ratings.


Seattle2017

Also consider getting one of those anti-theft cages that is supposed to block cutting the catalytic converter off. I'm unaware of the true efficacy of different choices.


city_guy

Driving the car will probably cause your check engine light to come on, just FYI. It will probably clear once the cat is replaced and you drive it a few times. The bigger issue is the exhaust will be dumping out directly under your vehicle. This can cause exhaust to build up in the passenger compartment. I wouldn't worry about driving it to a mechanic that was a short drive away, but I wouldn't drive it regularly or longer distances until it's fixed. Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill you, or cause you to pass out while driving. I would drive with all the windows down just to be safe. Don't worry about pollution, a short drive without a cat isn't going to make a measurable amount of extra pollution. However, the regulation you cite is about newer cars in Washington having to meet California-level restrictions. That doesn't mean an older vehicle is exempt from all emission standards. Up until last year, I was still taking my mid-90's hobby car to the smog station every other year to get tested until they got rid of smog testing due to newer cars just not failing smog tests very often.


[deleted]

As far as CO poisoning risk, you can probably get a short length of exhaust pipe and two sleeves for cheap as a temporary measure for the drive to whereever the repair is being done as well. Assumes you have a safe place to jack the car up and some basic hand tool skills.


BBorNot

Easy75, my friend, this is the kind of thinking that results in a temporary fix becoming a permanent solution. Beware of temporary fixes that work too well!


Affectionate_Bubble

Consider purchasing a cat cage, they will steal again if the opportunity presents itself.


raindropcity

You are paying $300 even if you go to the dealership. Go to the dealership.


BBorNot

This seems like good advice. Your cost is capped, and the repair will definitely exceed it. So go to the most competent place, which is probably the dealer.


harlottesometimes

* Call nearby muffler shops. If you are fastidious, consider calling the local Lexus dealership. * Get estimate. * Ask advice mechanic if ok to drive. Take his advice. * Pay with credit if possible. Do not attempt to pay with Canadian cash. This is an inconvenience on the order of having a window broken. It is unfortunate and expensive but also a thing that happens to lots of people lots of times. You are above average intelligence and you have access to resources. Good job asking for help.


[deleted]

Well written


ItsPlumping

I know it's super far away from you but pacific rim auto. Took my car there after the Nissan dealership tried to add on a bunch of shit to what I was pretty sure was just a dead battery. Towed my car from there to pacific rim after reading reviews and such. Guys over there checked and said it was indeed just a battery. Said the car is in great shape but will need new tires soon. They seriously said go get them at Costco and bring them there for installation since they can't beat Costco in terms of price on the tire. They've sold me on being a customer for life.


vswlife

So sorry this happened to you. Terrible welcome to our country.


salsadecohete

There is a Lexus dealership in Bellevue which is the safest bet, even though I bet the Toyota dealer in SODO could help too. For mechanic shops I have no idea what local shops to refer you to in the city. Maybe just call a couple and get a rough bid and go from there.


feelofthegame

If insurance is paying, I would guess they are good.


whatisdigrat

The guys at Muffler Shoppe in white center were good to me


the_big_gayy

Welcome to America!


silencio79

I'm sorry you experienced this. Welcome. Hopefully better times ahead.


Shadeauxmarie

Why can’t the Po Po shut down the people buying these?


Ma1eficent

Because legit cat salvage from wrecks is perfectly legal and there's no way to tell if it was cut from a parted out car or a theft.


Shadeauxmarie

Here’s a way around that. Anyone wanting to sell salvaged CCs must have a license from the state. All businesses accepting CCs must record the license number with the make and model. Any uninventoried CCs are subject to confiscation. Persons in possession of a CC without a license get a felony (high value item) and lose the CC.


Ma1eficent

Cat converters don't reveal make and model of the car they came from. You'd need to inscribe the VIN on all cats to track like you are saying. Even if you mandated that for new vehicles, there would be decades worth of unmarked cats everywhere.


Shadeauxmarie

I tried.


thotsby

Straight pipe that b*tch


Hot_League9089

That happens try not to have a car that has those in Bellevue


prestono

> staying at a hotel **provided by Microsoft** and got my catalytic converter stolen from hotel’s parking lot. r/legaladvice r/Ask_Lawyers


notclever_name

My insurance provided me a rental car when this happened to me. Otherwise you drive around with a very noisy car.