If you want to find out why Cats are so expensive, call your local junk dealer and ask what he is paying for used ones. There is some kind of valuable components in a Cat and as you are probably aware, the price of junk scrap metal is soaring. The thieves are even removing them from vehicles parked in lots. SUV's are a prime target because then don't have to jack them up. They use a cordless sawzall and have it out in a matter of seconds.