0% for 12 months on purchases and 0% for 21 m… Citi® Diamond Preferred® Credit Card Calculators How we make money
VOATLAS
How to Pay for a Performance Exhaust System

How to · Auto

How to Pay for a Performance Exhaust System

Upgrade your car's sound and flow without draining your bank account all at once.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,500 before anything else
Across the 0% window $83.33/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,500 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.

A new exhaust system changes how your car breathes and how it sounds on the road. It is a solid upgrade if you enjoy driving, but it is not a small expense when you factor in the parts and the shop labor to get it installed right.

Wait for the end-of-year sales cycle when shops are clearing out inventory to hit their annual targets. You can often find the best prices in December when performance parts retailers are trying to move stock before the new year.

Remember that this is a repayment plan, not free money. If you have any balance left after the 18 months are up, you will start paying interest on what you still owe, which makes the whole project more expensive.

The steps

  1. 01

    Set your budget

    Expect to spend about $1500 for a quality system. Figure out if you are paying for the install or doing it yourself, as shop labor can add a few hundred dollars to that total.

  2. 02

    Watch the sales

    Track your preferred brands starting in November. Many retailers drop prices during holiday sales, which is the perfect time to pull the trigger on a kit that is usually out of your price range.

  3. 03

    Use your financing window

    If you use the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you pay off that $1500 in smaller chunks of $83.33 per month over 18 months without interest piling up.

  4. 04

    Negotiate the labor

    If you are having a shop install the exhaust, ask if they can bundle the parts and labor for a lower price. Sometimes they can give you a better deal on the service if you buy the hardware through them.

  5. 05

    Track your payments

    Set up an automatic payment for $83.33 every month. This keeps you on track so you do not have to worry about the balance once the promotional period ends.

  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 a new exhaust void my warranty?

It depends on your manufacturer. A cat-back system is usually fine, but modifying anything near the engine or catalytic converter could give a dealer a reason to deny a related repair claim.

Is it worth paying for professional installation?

Unless you have a lift and the right tools, yes. It saves you from seized bolts and alignment headaches that happen when you try to hang a heavy exhaust system by yourself.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Missing a payment can lead to late fees and might cause you to lose your promotional interest rate. Keep your payments on time so you do not lose the benefit of the plan.

Does a louder exhaust actually add power?

It can help the engine breathe better, which might add a small amount of horsepower. Most people do it for the better throttle response and the deeper exhaust note rather than pure speed gains.