For those who saw my thread earlier regarding my car's emissions, I decided I am just going to replace the catalytic converter. Since I moved to a new area I do not know any GOOD mechanics that are fair.

Original Thread: http://forums.d2jsp.org/topic.php?t=71300211&f=115 ( I know I say 2001, but it's a 2000)

The first guy I talked to wanted upwards of $800 ($878 I believe) for the new catalytic converter as well as the labor. I HIGHLY doubt this is a good price seeing as the part online ranges from 150-240 or so. I don't think it's a $600 job in labor.

I drive a 2000 Toyota Camry.

So what I am asking is how much should I look to pay for this job that's REASONABLE and will any shops have the part for the same price online, or will every shop have the price yacked up?

I'm looking to pay no more than $300 for this.... is that reasonable?


** How much should the part cost?
** How much should the labor cost?
Any comments or tips/suggestions are appreciated.

thanks


ALSO, if I do decide to order online, do you know where the best place to order from is?? (I am in Arizona, Phoenix area specifically.)

better start lubing your anus now for them labor fees. Phoenix is not a cheap city

just guessing that its a 4 cylinder because you didnt specify but i found a cat for it at oreilly for 109 dollars (u.s.)

where are you located because if you are in/around a big city it may be higher but no theres not 600 dollars worth of labor there.

i have a 99 mazda protege and mine is some part of the exhaust manifold (it was a split year between a regular cat and this shitty expensive one i have) and it was almost 400 dollars for the cat alone. our local exhaust shop charged maybe 50 dollars or so for labor to cut the old one off and install the new one.

oh sorry didnt see phoenix at the bottom

This post was edited by JDH on Aug 30 2014 06:21pm

unless he finds a mechanic who does work on the sides or takes it to downtown phoenix and has some chollos work on it, then chances are he will be paying 75+ an hour for labor.

I no joke got quoted 600$ install for a shop to install my springs.... Automotive labor rates in Phoenix are a joke.

Im in texas and springs were only $220

You're talking about exhaust work..On a 14 year old daily driver.

800 bucks to swap the cat is perfectly acceptable, in my opinion.

None of those bolts will turn. They will almost definitely shear off. And hopefully there are no other breaks in the system.

It's a bit of work.

Exhaust work SUCKS. They will charge accordingly.


The ONLY thing you have going for you, is that you are from Arizona, and there is a small hope that the exhaust doesn't look like rusted 80 grit sandpaper.

@OP, listen to this guy

he said he just moved tho so who knows haha

If the cat is part of the mid pipe or the ones that are attached to the exhaust manifold, your price is going to be expensive, if you go for OEM anyway. IIRC, those will run you at least $300.

On top of that, techs (including me) would price you at least an extra hour in terms of labor just in case the bolts (which probably haven't been touched since your car was put together) are seized.

It's a long weekend in Canada though, PM me your vin and I'll get our parts guy to get a price for your cat on Tuesday and I can at least tell you if you're getting fucked by your mechanic.

/e damn it Andy, you beat me to it.

This post was edited by SlyGoSu on Aug 30 2014 07:19pm

The replacement cat comes in a 1 piece downpipe. Both the 4 cyl version and 6 cyl version can be had for under $200. This should be a 2 hour job at most. Even at a mechanics labor rate, not an exhaust shop, that is another $180 max. No one buys/installs/carries direct fit cats around here unless it is part of the manifold which yours is not. They would cut the cat out and weld a new universal cat in which takes less than an hour. That would run ~$200 max. Several exhaust shops around me advertise cat replacements for most vehicles for $149.99. They even give you the old cat back to sell for scrap if you want.

im glad im not the only one that thought that was extremely overpriced