Earlier this month I outlined how I saved some money by buying a radiator online and having a local mechanic install it. Well, I’ve once again saved a pretty decent amount of money by shopping online for car parts. This time I had to get a new exhaust. After talking to a mechanic, I quickly discovered that the most expensive part I needed was the catalytic converter. For my particular application, the price ranged from $200 to $350. That didn’t include any of the hardware or gaskets and I still needed an intermediate pipe and a muffler. Those numbers, to say the least, didn’t make me happy.
So I hopped online and visited the same site I bought my radiator from earlier this month. It only took me about 30 minutes to pinpoint all the parts I needed. I ended up ordering the following parts:
- Catalytic Converter
- Intermediate Pipe with center muffler
- Rear Muffler
- 3 Gaskets
- 2 Spring Bolt Kits
The total cost for these parts – $353. That total includes a $30 off coupon I found online and free shipping. (Any order over $50 gets free shipping). So I bought a complete exhaust for a little more than one catalytic converter would have cost me here in town.
Because I got a good deal last time, I called the mechanic who installed my radiator. He remembered me and said he could install the exhaust for $80.
Doing a little bit of research saved me a fair amount of money – thought it’s hard to say how much exactly because I never really got a quote for anything other than a catalytic converter. If I had to guess, I’d say I saved at least $200. Some people might say it’s a hassle to order the parts online and then lug them to the garage, but I’m happy to do so – especially if that extra little bit of work saves me a few hundred dollars.
How about you? Are you someone who’s willing to do a little extra work to save money on things?
