What's the best exhaust system for a 1996 2.2L Cavalier?

First of all, you need to get "best" out of your vocabulary.

Second of all, you need to figure out what you want ie sound, performance, or looks. If you just want sound, just buy a muffler. If you want performance, get a cat-back, or better yet, a header back. If you just want a look, get a tip.

Third, figure out how much you want to spend. Full bolt on exhaust systems typically start upwards of $4-500. Custom systems can run as high as a grand.

Answer those, and we can go from there.

Performance/Sound... but not a ricey sound... cat back exhaust...

Borla probably has the best sound IMO. Low, not ricey at all. Check out their website. You can get a high flow cat, and I recommend 2.25" piping, unless youve got a forced induction setup. Go to a muffler shop and have them put it together for you, or try a couple websites like High Rev or RKSport, and you can get a catback from them.

wat muffler do u suggest
i want noise and can i just bolt it on myself

go to car domain for the borla they have it the cheapest... and it sounds good i have a pacesetter header with it

on my 1996, I used the cat off a 1997 k1500 chevy with a 350, used 2.25 inch pipe into a y with 2 inch pipe and then used two highflow mufflers with the tips for a 1997 grand am with the 3.1. it flows very well, has a slight rumble at idle and doesn't have the slightest bit of bumble bee sound to it.