GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

My 2005 AWD Vibe (46K miles) has been very good to me. Recently the muffler pipe sheared off just upstream of the muffler. I took it to a muffler shop and they told me that because it was an AWD they cannot get aftermarket exhaust parts for it, that they'd need to get original GM parts for it, and as a result a an exhaust replacement would cost $1,200.

While I was processing that shocking number the manager said that a lot of people just ask for the break to be welded back together for $75 and that he's seen those patches last for years but eventually it'll break again. So I had them do the quick weld.

Eventually I'll need to replace the exhaust system properly. So, I searched for OEM exhaust parts for AWD Vibes and it looks like I can get ALL the parts required to do an exhaust replacement (from the converter gasket backwards) for about $676 at this website:
http://www.newgmparts.com/parts/2005/PO ... CallOut=11

I think (please confirm folks!) I'd need parts #8,#9,#11,#12, and #13 in the diagram to do a pretty complete replacement.

The question for GenVibers is, "if I buy the OEM parts can I do the replacement myself?" I am a fairly handy guy. I have a pair of Rhino ramps and the normal assortment of guy tools. I don't mind getting dirty. But I cannot weld.

Or a better muffler shop can simply bend a piece of pipe and weld it up from the cat then weld a muffler to it.

You could DIY but with the exception of the cat, that seems like a lot of $$$. IMO buy the cat from them then have a (better) muffler shop do the rest.

Why does a simple muffler cost $310?????

...I should list the parts and their prices so people don't have to look up the diagram:

in order of flow:
#9 converter pipe gasket -- $26
#8 converter and pipe -- $277
#13 muffler pipe clamp -- $37
#12 muffler pipe gasket -- 26
#11 muffler -- $311

TOTAL ~$676

That shop is full of cr ap. Go to another exhaust shop and get a 2nd opinion. As star_deceiver said, there's no reason why they can't bend a piece of pipe and use an aftermarket muffler.