The catalytic converter should last forever if the car is properly maintained.
NO
Loose of power, hard starting, poor fuel mileage, and the converter will get red hot.
Hard starting, loss of power, poor fuel mileage, and the converter will get extremely hot.
It could, yes.
Hard starting, loss of power, poor fuel mileage are symptoms of a clogged converter.
Yes it will always drop if the converter is clogged. Mileage will gradually degrade, and power will drop off until eventually the car won't have enough power to drive safely.
A bad torque converter can cause slipping gears. The fuel mileage will suffer as well, and the engine will rev higher.
Hard to start, loss of power, poor fuel mileage.
Hard to start, no power, poor fuel mileage.
Check the "Mileage Makers" on Honda;s website. There are reports from many owners of high mileage Hondas. The highest Element mileage reported is 500,000 miles - owners says still runs great.
Loss of power, poor fuel mileage, converter gets red hot, possibly check engine light will come on.
I just got one with over 270,000 miles