Catalytic Converter

The Saturn dealer is telling me that my 1996 SL2 is starting to need a new Catalytic Converter. I'm figuring if they are right I won't pass emissions in the spring when I am due to go. The part is $870.00 from Saturn so since I have 170,000 miles I am not planning on investing nearly $1,000.00 into this car. The dealer is telling me that 1996's and newer cannot use an aftermarket catalytic converter. Can anyone confirm this? Also, should I consider a used catalytic converter perhaps from a used parts dealer? If anyone else has had this issue with their car, I would love to hear from them. I recently replaced the muffler and that was when they realized the catalytic converter was going.
Thanks.
gluegirl

Sounds fishy.

Call your local muffler shop to confirm.

Try one of the reputable chain places like Midas/Mieneke.

read my reply in the sl section

when I had my car shipped to Germany I had to get a new cat and I got a aftermarket one, the guy at saturn is shafting you

keep in mind some states care more about emissions then taking drugs off the streets. 96 and later saturns have the OBDII, witch means there is a O2 senser in the cat, i don't know of any univerrsial cat with a slot for the sensor, if there are any they're rare. i have heard of people drilling in to the exhaust pipes, but i don't think most shops would do that (unless you have a buddy who can weld). also you can't get a used cat, used cat are illegal to sell, not even a junkyard will sell them. i got a new muffler and univerrsial cat for 94(older design) for about 350 at a shop, but with the OBDII i have no idea on price. on the other hand my univerrsial cat isn't a year old and its already going to the crapper.

I have a 96 SC 2 and i replaced the catylitic converter on mine. Call up a parts dealer in the yellow pages. Mine was a direct fit but there needs to be a little bit of cutting and welding, but it doesnt throw a check engine light so therefore a check engine light will fail the inspection.