Probably for the best. My job requires me to bring a lot of tools as well as have the ability to drive between locations within the state. I’m kinda stuck using a car sadly.

I work mostly in mass. Last summer I was in downtown Boston. This summer I’ve mostly been in Quincy and canton. It sucks. My shifts are always 12 hours, and usually 6 days a week so by the time I get home there’s enough time to shower and then sleep. Not sure how long your shifts are, but it’s something to keep in mind. I kinda settle into a routine and it becomes alright, but it’s never exactly pleasant. The vehicle you drive greatly influences it though. Last summer I drove my fathers fancy genesis sedan for a week after the alternator in my shitbox died and that car was so much more comfortable for the ride it truly made a difference throughout my week.

They’re hitting the entire city. Just a few months ago there was a cat stolen from one Honda and then another Honda was stolen all together in front of my parents place in the west end.

I’ve put $40 amazon cats on cars with no issues at all, I’ve also had walker cats go bad within a month. Brand really makes no difference. Get a good warranty, and buy something that’s in the middle of the price range.

I’ve replaced dozens of cats. Brand doesn’t matter. The warranty is what matters. All aftermarket cats are mediocre at best. But as long as the warranty will swap them out if they go bad then it doesn’t matter

Have your cat replaced with a decent quality aftermarket cat and put a sign in your window that the car has an aftermarket cat. The aftermarket ones aren’t worth Jack shit. But the thieves are sometimes too dumb to identify aftermarkets and will sometimes steal them anyway. I do plenty of mechanic work in and near providence, if you PM me year/make/model and photos of where it was cut I can point you in the direction of the most cost effective way to put your car back on the road.