I understand the solution to this is to buy a car with a really small engine and park it next to cars with really big engines or hybrids. They have much more va

I understand the solution to this is to buy a car with a really small engine and park it next to cars with really big engines or hybrids. They have much more valuable catalytic converters so are likely to get nicked before yours is. Also if you're in UK and have fully comp cover it should cover replacement cost minus excess if it's in the described location in the policy over night.