In a below-freezing cold spell a couple of years ago, rats took up residence in both of my wife's cars, and in a matter of days wreaked havoc on the wiring harnesses, insulation and etc. I was able to splice and completely repair the wiring harness in one, but despite many hours of splicing and reconstruction have not been able to restore the second one to full functionality. They got to the auto tranny wiring harness, and I can't get to that until I have access to my 2-post lift again.
The rats declined to have anything to do with either of my Toyota trucks, obviously preferring her Lexi. Posh rats, I guess.
I have never killed a snake here; we have Rat Snakes, Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Eastern Hognose snakes. They are all welcome, though I have relocated a rattlesnake and a few copperheads farther away from the house for the sake of the grandchildren.
We have had outside cats too; they were the best and most consistent rodent control, but unfortunately they are not the apex predators here and we have not been successful in keeping them alive. I have reluctantly reverted to poison to control the rodents.