Making a car is far from cheap. When you think about it, it’s a miracle that cars cost as much as they do, considering the sheer number of materials, energy, working hours, research, and quality control that goes into production.
Catalytic converters are an interesting part in that they’re extremely valuable because of all the precious metals used in their creation. We’ve already talked about the scrap cost of converters and how they work, but now let’s focus on the cars that have the most expensive cat converters.
The most expensive catalytic converters are fitted to the most powerful road-legal supercars like the Bugattis, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, etc. The first place goes to the Ferrari F40, for which the converter costs $12,500!
Top 10 Cars With the Most Expensive Catalytic Converters
Before we get into the list, I need to add a small disclaimer. This list was not based on the information found in other articles, as they had no source to back their statements.
Instead, I have used the information provided by the largest new and used auto parts stores to see what they have on offer, so that way, we at least have some tangible figures.
Considering that the Bugatti Veyron cost $5,000,000 to produce, it’s likely that it has the most expensive converters in the world, but have no way to confirm without seeing a retail offer – so just keep that in mind.
1. Ferrari F40
When we’re talking about the most expensive cat converters, it’s no wonder why Ferrari is at the top of the charts.
A single pair of F40 converters cost $12,495, which is more than what a lot of cars are worth. Still, considering that the F40 costs upwards of a million dollars, this is a comparatively inexpensive part.
Ferrari F40 has been produced from 1987 to 1992 in just 1,315 units. A proper mid-engine Ferrari, the F40 delivered 477 horsepower out of its 2.9L twin-turbo V8 engine. Its most distinct feature is the pop-up headlights positioned above another set that is flush with the hood.
2. Ferrari F50
The catalytic converter for this convertible Ferarri costs 10,000 British pounds or roughly $12,000, which is slightly less than the cost of an F40 cat.
However, the only catalytic converter for the F50 is used, so technically, a brand-new one would be even more expensive.
F50 has been produced for only three years, from 1995 to 1997 and there have only been 349 models. Powered by a 4.7L V12, the F50 has a power output of 512 horsepower. It’s recognizable by the deep cuts in the hood and the Targa top.
3. Ferrari 360
Compared to the F50 and F40, the catalytic converter for the Ferrari 360 is almost a bargain. The replacement converter cost for the Italian Stallion is $8,195.
The 360 has been produced from 1999 to 2004 and by Ferrari’s standards, it’s been mass-produced at 8,800 Modena, 7,565 Spider, and 1,288 Challenge Stradale models.
4. Lamborghini Aventador
Moving away from Ferrari but not Italian manufacturers, we’ve got the Lamborghini Aventador. Models from 2020-2021 production run use converters that cost $8,195, just as much as those of the Ferrari 360.
Lamborghini Aventador has had quite a lengthy production run – from February 2011 all the way to September 2022, with a total production number of 11,465 units. The power output of its massive 6.5L V12 ranges between 690 and 770 horsepower, depending on the model.
5. Ram 2500/3500
The wolves among the sheep, the medium-duty Ram trucks snatch the fifth position on the list with surprisingly expensive catalytic converters.
Getting a brand new OEM replacement will set the unfortunate 2010-2012 Ram owner back $7,617. Even though it’s not the most expensive, the catalytic converter for the Ram trucks is the worst when you compare it to the cost of a brand new truck, at around $40,000+.
Dodge Ram/Ram trucks have been around for over 40 years, with a total production number of 18,583,481 units. To put that number in perspective, a single month of Ram production is greater than the entire lineups of Ferraris.
6. Ferrari 812
Back in the Italian stables, we’ve got another Ferrari on our list, this time the 812 GTS and the 812 Superfast.
The cost of the catalytic converter for the 2018-2022 Superfast and the 2020-2022 GTS is $7,495 which is relatively high considering that this model is still in production.
Ferrari 812 Superfast is a stunning front mid-engine, rear-wheel drive car with a 6.5L V12 engine and a power output of 819 horsepower! There are no official production figures at the moment, but the estimated number is around 3,000 units so far.
7. Ferrari F8 Tributo
One of the newest Ferrari models, the F8 Tributo is a powerful and stunning sports car. It likely shares the same catalytic converter structure as the 812, leading to the same cost of $7,495.
The F8 is one of the latest Ferrari models, as production started in 2019. It uses a 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine with a power output of 710 horsepower. It’s made in 2-door Berlinetta and 2-door retractable hard-top convertible body styles.
8. Ferrari Testarossa
Back to the old-school models, we’ve got the legendary Testarossa. It took several models, but this is the first to have the catalytic converter for under 7 thousand dollars, with a retail price of $6,995.
Testarossa is one of the most beautiful Ferrari models, produced from 1984 to 1996 in 9,936 units. The name Testarossa is a homage to the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa race car, winner of the World Sportscar Championship in 1957.
9. Ford E-Series
Perhaps an even more surprising addition to the list than the Ram truck is the E-Series van.
While you wouldn’t connect a van with expensive maintenance, it’s somewhat understandable why the converter has to be of great quality.
Still, the cost of the 2007-2008 model’s cat converter is $5,940, which is quite a lot, especially for the applicable years. Owners that find themselves in need of a new converter are better off looking for aftermarket solutions.
What needs to be said about Econoline that you don’t already know? Production started in 1960, with total production figure of roughly 3.5 million units.
Subtle, efficient, and reliable, the E-series has been going down the streets of every American city for over 50 years, and if you pay attention, you’ll be surprised by the number of them you’ll see in a day.
10. Bentley Bentayga
The final addition to the list is the Bentayga, a luxury car made by a British/German manufacturer. The cost of its catalytic converter is $5,935.
Bentayga is Bentley’s mid-size luxury crossover SUV that they’ve been producing since 2015. It’s got the characteristic grille and headlights featured on all Bentleys, merged with the large body of an SUV.
5 Types of Cars With the Most Expensive Catalytic Converters
1. Supercars
When you look at the list of cars with the most expensive catalytic converters, almost all of them belong in the supercar category.
In fact, if we had any information on the cost of catalytic converters for the Mclaren, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, and other brands, I’m sure that the first 30 spots would all be supercars.
The reason why these cars in particular are at the top of the list isn’t just the power and size of the engine. When you think about it, a Corvette beats some of the Ferraris in terms of raw power output.
The defining factor is the weight of the converter. Supercars need to save every ounce of weight possible, which is why even the housing of the converter can use quite expensive materials.
There’s also a lot of price gauging that goes with these brands, especially Ferrari. Then again, someone who can comfortably buy a quarter of a million-dollar car won’t even notice a few thousand dollars extra on their repair bill.
2. Trucks & SUVs
The engines mounted in trucks and SUVs are generally some of the most reliable and longest-lasting. What they’re not is fuel efficient, nor are they environmentally friendly.
Among the mass-produced vehicles, trucks have among the most expensive catalytic converters. The high prices come from the requirement for two pairs of catalytic converters, one for each side of the V8 engine.
A rule of thumb is that the bigger the truck, the more valuable the converter will be. This most likely stems from the fact that nowadays, medium and heavy-duty trucks still use the V8 engines, while light-duty trucks are switching to the more economical options.
3. Hybrids
Even though they’re equipped with modestly-sized engines, hybrids have some of the most expensive catalytic converters.
The reason why is that hybris are all about getting as close to zero emissions as possible. The original Prius with its catalytic converters sparked a new revolution among car makers.
Whereas standard cars have only one catalytic converter or one per bank in the case of larger engines, hybrids may have two or even three catalytic converters stacked inline, to maximize emission reduction.
4. Luxury Cars
In terms of catalytic converter value, luxury cars sit somewhere in between supercars and trucks. The flagship models (S-Class, Series-7, Bentleys) have large engines that favor power over fuel efficiency, but they need to be green enough to pass the ever-increasing regulations.
Combined with the marked-up prices on parts, just like for supercars, the catalytic converters for these cars often cost more than $5,000.
5. Import Cars
Compared to most of the domestic fleet, imported cars tend to have more valuable catalytic converters. A potential reason why are the more strict emission regulations in Europe and Japan, leading to more advanced and expensive converters being fitted in vehicles.
There is no hard rule as to what vehicles have the most expensive converters, although Toyota, Mercedes, and BMW tend to have the most expensive ones. Toyota because of its hybrid models, and the Germans due to their premium markup.
Which Cars Are Most Likely to Have a Catalytic Converter Stolen?
Even though we’ve got access to police statistics that clearly show the most targeted vehicles, we can easily figure it out without them.
Thieves are not only concerned by the value of the cat, but also by the ease of access and level of security. This rules out supercars and luxury cars.
Trucks and SUVs are prime targets due to the high ground clearance, which makes it easy to access the converter without jacking up the vehicle. Hybrids are a common target too, because of how valuable their converters are.
You can learn more about the topic of cat converter theft in this article, but currently, the top three targets are:
- Toyota Prius
- Ford F-Series trucks
- Honda Accord
In an ironic turn of events, the most recent target of cat theft has been police cars. No, not marked police cars used for setups, but actual service vehicles.
It makes some sense when you consider that police car are fitted with powerful engines, but it still leaves the question of who would be bold enough to get under a police car with an angle grinder.
Summary
Ferrari takes up most of the list, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise, but seeing the Ford’s E-Series and the Ram 2500/3500 on the list is a bit unexpected.
The most expensive catalytic converter we could find is fitted to the Ferrari F40 and costs $12,500, and the F40 needs two of them!
Here are some article that you might enjoy:
Driving With a Bad Catalytic Converter: Can You Drive It and for How Long?
Will Removing the Catalytic Converter Make the Exhaust Louder?
Can You Sell a Car Without a Catalytic Converter? Is It Legal?
Signs of Stolen Catalytic Converter (Prevent Theft!)