OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE exhaust pipe?

[jdjesrani]

Hi,

I bought a Toyota tercel 1996 two weeks back (my first car) and today is the saddest day of my life. I am broke. I just spent 650$ on repair of ONLY ONE PART...!!$@!

There was a huge sound in the car since a couple of days and I knew that it need some immediate attention.
Go to see the noise was from the exhaust pipe which had come apart somewhere at the center due to rust.

The mechanic checked his maual and said that the tercel (maybe only 96) has just a one piece
exhaust,FROM the FRONT TO THE BACK All One piece...so the entire thing needed to be changed???

And the part was billed to me at 582$. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Worst morning I had in 22 years.......

Please can someone confirm that it actually costs that much.

I will appreciate any advice and comment.

I just hope that he hasnt cheated me...if he has is there any way I can get any money back from the repair man??


Please help...

Jd

[JOET/CAMRY]

hello, the exhaust system comes in three sections for a 1996 tercel.. the front section.then the catalytic converter.the middle section,and the last section which includes the muffler. I have never heard of a single piece exhaust from front to back.

are you sure the mechanic replaced the whole exhaust system including the catalytic converter? maybe the mechanic replaced the whole exhaust system because it was in bad shape. even so they should have let you know what they were going to do to your car and give you an estimate on how much it will cost you.
good luck resolving this situation.

regards, JOET/CAMRY

[Air4ceOne]

Was this at a Toytoa dealership or just some Joe Schmoe mechanic? It sounds pretty expensive to me even if it was a dealership. I'd take the bill to the manager and speak to him. If it wasn't at a dealership, call a local Toyota dealership and ask them how much they'd charge to do the same job.

[97cavalier]

Originally Posted by Air4ceOne

Was this at a Toytoa dealership or just some Joe Schmoe mechanic? It sounds pretty expensive to me even if it was a dealership. I'd take the bill to the manager and speak to him. If it wasn't at a dealership, call a local Toyota dealership and ask them how much they'd charge to do the same job.

i had the same problem on a 95 tercel. They are one hole peace form starting at cat back to muffler. the cat is part of the pipe. So what i did is i cut the peace that had a hole and put a new peace the same length and welded it when the hole was. Alot chepper. Only $20

[tercelandy]

the exhaust on a 96 is 2 pieces, not three and not one. First piece runs from manifold to rear axle, at that point muffler end bolts on with a clamp...which would mean 2 pieces. Sadly they probably charged you the right amount. The thing here is Toyota factory parts, or any factory oem parts are EXPENSIVE! I got a used exhaust system for my 96 for $100. Next time, do some research and shop around and get the best price. Also, try to locate a Toyota salvage yard near you... if not look on ebay, i have seen brand new stock exhaust systems for like $300 bucks, that's with a new cat. Live and learn i guess, if you don't do your homework...with cars you will get slammed. So next time ask on a forum FIRST, then get some feedback on your problem and go from there. Always shop around for parts and if you can...do the work yourself and you will save yourself so much money.

[tercelandy]

but if you really think you got slammed, i would think if you really wanted to you could get your money back and get a cheaper one, check out this auction, i would make sure with the seller that is the whole piece shown though

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Magna...QQcmdZViewItem