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How to Pay for a Performance Exhaust System

How to · Auto

How to Pay for a Performance Exhaust System

Get the sound and power you want without paying for it all at once or getting hit with interest.

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 performance car is about more than just the sticker price. You have the oil changes, the tires, and the constant urge to make it sound better. A good exhaust wakes the car up, but it usually costs over a thousand bucks once you factor in the shop time. It is a big hit to take all at once just for a better growl.

We want to time this right. Prices usually dip in late winter when shops are looking to fill their bays before track season. Negotiate the bundle price for the parts and labor first. Once you have a firm number, we can look at how to spread that $1,100 cost over a year and a half.

Keep in mind that the 0% rate is a deadline, not a gift. If you still have a balance after those 18 months, the standard interest rate kicks in and makes that exhaust much more expensive than you planned.

The steps

  1. 01

    Wait for the bundle

    Look for shops offering a flat rate for the system and the install. This usually happens in the off-season. It is cheaper than buying the pipes yourself and paying a mechanic by the hour.

  2. 02

    Get three quotes

    Exhaust work is labor-intensive. Call around and ask for out-the-door pricing. One shop might be cheaper on parts but double the labor cost to weld them on.

  3. 03

    Use the 18-month window

    Put the $1,100 on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card (Citi). It offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. This lets you pay $61.11 a month to clear the debt before interest starts.

  4. 04

    Separate the hardware

    If the local shop won't budge on labor, buy the system yourself online during a holiday sale. Then, take the boxes to a trusted local pro for the install. You still save on the parts.

  5. 05

    Plan for the extras

    You might need new hangers or gaskets that aren't in the box. Keep a small buffer in your budget so a twenty-dollar bolt doesn't stall the whole project at the shop.

  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

Does an exhaust add horsepower?

It can, but usually not much without a computer tune. You are mostly paying for the better sound and the weight savings of lighter materials.

Will this void my car warranty?

Usually not, unless the new part specifically causes a failure elsewhere. It is best to check with your dealer before you swap out the factory pipes.

Can I install it myself?

If you have a lift and a torch for rusty bolts, go for it. If you are on your back in a driveway, it is a difficult job you will probably regret.

What is a cat-back system?

It replaces everything from the catalytic converter to the tailpipe. It is the most common way to change your sound without failing an emissions test.