Muffler/Exhaust System Repair Question

[Carbo]

I have a '97 Honda Civic EX. Bought it new, only 63K miles on it, and never a problem. I'm a satisfied customer.
A few weeks back I started to hear the telltale signs of a muffler/exhaust leak. The other day it became noticeably louder and it was obviously time to have it checked out. Now, it's been many a year since I have looked into such maintenance, so I was not on top of prices.
Seeing all the ads from Midas and Meineke, I'm thinking I'll walk out with a $125 bill. All things considered, that would be fine.
Well, I just returned from the local Midas shop. The bill is double that! I am that out of touch? Here's a breakdown:
$90 Labor
$155 Parts, (The small pipe in front of the muffler is where the hole is. So it's that pipe plus a new muffler)
$15 Shop Supply Fee, (According to the work order, this is "This charge represents costs and profits to the motor repair facility for misc shop supplies or waste disposal)
$16 Tax
Sounds steep to me, but like I said, it's been awhile. If I go elsewhere should I expect a significant difference in cost? Anyone here an exhaust expert. . .besides the hot air you expell when posting here.

 

[Linflas]

Sounds right to me. Actually I am surprised it was that cheap since the last time I paid for exhaust work was at least 10 years ago and the costs were similar.

 

[zig3695]

you actually went to a midas shop and got that quote for a cat-back replacement? thats a very fair price my man, i dont even think my dad could charge much less in his small shop. just so you know, i replaced my exhaust on my ford ranger- catalytic converter to back just like yours. the parts alone were $160, and that was for a domestic car WITH a auto-shop discount!. you got a fair deal as long as they keep it close to that estimate (they should, they do those things all day long)

 

[Vette73]

yep not to far off. You could find a independent shop and buy a muffler yourself and save some money. Check out advance, AZ, etc... for replacemnt mufflers that fit your car. And no not coffee can mufflers.

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: zig3695
you actually went to a midas shop and got that quote for a cat-back replacement? thats a very fair price my man, i dont even think my dad could charge much less in his small shop. just so you know, i replaced my exhaust on my ford ranger- catalytic converter to back just like yours. the parts alone were $160, and that was for a domestic car WITH a auto-shop discount!. you got a fair deal as long as they keep it close to that estimate (they should, they do those things all day long)

I'm not replacing the catalytic converter. Just the muffler and the small pipe in front of it.

 

[zig3695]

yeah they call that cat-back. "from the catalytic converter all the way to the back". it means youre leaving the cat on there but replacing everything after it

like you hear when people say "dude i just spent $4k on a new CAT BACK muffler! its going to make my car so fast!" well, that 'cat-back' just means youre leaving the stock, airflow-inhibiting ceramic jar on your car... so really the people that brag about cat-back exhausts are retarded.

 

[Carbo]

Originally posted by: zig3695
yeah they call that cat-back. "from the catalytic converter all the way to the back". it means youre leaving the cat on there but replacing everything after it

like you hear when people say "dude i just spent $4k on a new CAT BACK muffler! its going to make my car so fast!" well, that 'cat-back' just means youre leaving the stock, airflow-inhibiting ceramic jar on your car... so really the people that brag about cat-back exhausts are retarded.

Gotcha. I'm not up on the lingo.
So if I go elsewhere, I can expect pretty much the same price? Hmmm. . .wonder if some duct tape should be called into play??

 

[poopygood]

If you can loosen two screws/bolts and a couple of hangers:
http://www.autopartswarehouse....da+Civic&Ns=price2%7C0


Looks like this would be best?
http://www.autopartswarehouse....9922000QQBO163727.html

 

[gururu2]

a few months ago, the pipe disconnected from the muffler on my acura producing a horrendous noise. i took it in and they just welded it back together, costed me 20 bucks. make sure you cant have something as easy as that done.

 

[lightpants]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
yep not to far off. You could find a independent shop and buy a muffler yourself and save some money. Check out advance, AZ, etc... for replacemnt mufflers that fit your car. And no not coffee can mufflers.

Sure you could take your own parts in to an independent shop. Wouldn't that be like taking your own groceries into the local diner and having them cook them for you?

 

[Twista]

Originally posted by: zig3695
yeah they call that cat-back. "from the catalytic converter all the way to the back". it means youre leaving the cat on there but replacing everything after it

like you hear when people say "dude i just spent $4k on a new CAT BACK muffler! its going to make my car so fast!" well, that 'cat-back' just means youre leaving the stock, airflow-inhibiting ceramic jar on your car... so really the people that brag about cat-back exhausts are retarded.

Cats .. what are cats? I dont want no stinking animal under my car =]

now just let me say.. my car doesnt have cats and its loud as hell.

i replaced almost everything on my exhaust.. not sure if im doing headers, but catback and midpipe is done. no cats and the car smells like shit because of no cats, but its been like that for a long time so im used to it.
FLAME SUIT ON =]