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How to Buy a Cat-Back Exhaust Without the Upfront Hit

How to · Auto

How to Buy a Cat-Back Exhaust Without the Upfront Hit

Upgrade your car’s sound and performance by timing your purchase with holiday sales and spreading the cost over 18 months.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,100 before anything else
Across the 0% window $61.11/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,100 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Owning a car you actually enjoy driving usually means spending money on things that don't make it go faster, just sound better. A cat-back system replaces everything from the catalytic converter to the tailpipe. It is a pure vanity project that makes every tunnel and cold start feel a bit more special. Between gas, tires, and oil, you are already paying a premium to keep a performance car on the road.

The best time to buy parts is late November through December. Most major suppliers run deep discounts to hit year-end targets. We want to snag that holiday price but keep your cash in your pocket. Using the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card (Citi) lets us spread that $1,100 cost into manageable chunks while the parts are on the car.

The 0% rate is a tool, not a gift. If you still have a balance after those 18 months are up, the standard variable APR kicks in and gets expensive. Make sure that $61.11 hits the account every month so you finish on time.

The steps

  1. 01

    Identify your sound

    Look for clips of the system on your specific engine. Resonated systems are quieter, while non-resonated ones can be loud enough to annoy your neighbors. Choose what you can live with every day.

  2. 02

    Wait for the holiday drop

    Auto parts stores go heavy on Black Friday and end-of-year sales. You can often find 10% to 15% off the MSRP if you wait for the right weekend in November.

  3. 03

    Use the 18-month window

    Put the purchase on your Citi Simplicity® Credit Card (Citi). You get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This gives you a long time to pay it off without extra costs.

  4. 04

    Set the monthly target

    Divide your total by eighteen. For an $1,100 system, that is about $61.11 a month. Set up an auto-pay for that exact amount so you do not have to think about it again.

  5. 05

    Plan the install

    If you are not doing the work yourself, get quotes from local exhaust shops before the parts arrive. Labor for a cat-back is usually one to two hours, and shops are often slower in January.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

Will this void my car warranty?

Generally, no. The law says a dealer has to prove the aftermarket part caused a specific failure to deny a claim. Since it is behind the catalytic converter, it rarely affects the engine's health.

Can I install this in my driveway?

Yes, if you have jack stands and a basic socket set. Rust is your biggest enemy, so spray the old bolts with penetrating oil the night before you start.

Is a cat-back better than a muffler delete?

A cat-back is a full engineered system that improves flow. A muffler delete is just loud and usually results in a drone that makes highway driving miserable.

What is a drone in an exhaust?

It is a constant, low-frequency hum that vibrates the cabin at certain speeds. Good systems are designed to cancel this out so you can still hear your music.