Catalytic Converter - 2000 Honda Accord

Hey everyone,

I have a 2000 Honda Accord and need a new Catalytic Converter. The
mechanic told me that he has to get the converter from the dealer and
that the whole job will run to $1100.00.

But I just looked at this site which sells them for anywhere between
$90 - $300 for Honda Accords (2000).
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/apw_cc/cat_basket.php?catalog=catalytic_converter&makeid=15&year=2000&modelid=360

So my question is, is my mechanic ripping me off or can I really use
one of these catalytic converters from this site and save myself $700?
Does the part really have to come from the dealer?

Thanks for your input!

 

Yes, yes, and no.

I had a cat replaced on my '87 Si for $150, including labor. That was
about 10 yrs ago and muffler shops have quadrupled in price since
then. But yes, $1100 is still a rip-off. As for dealer prices, where
my Honda dealer wanted $600 per CV joint, my local parts shop only
wanted $150 per pair for rebuilds. They worked just fine. IOW, like
car insurance, it pays to shop around. Learning to do it yourself is
even cheaper. I replaced two sections of the exhaust system on my
Ford van. The cheapest shop wanted $500. I bought the parts and did
myself for $50.

nb

 

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Whatever you end up buying, make sure you know what killed the first cat
or you'll be doing it again. . . Probably the primary O2 sensor is shot,
or you've been careless about your coolant level.

'Curly'

 

Not necessarily. Modern emissions limits are so drastically low (I'd say
"stupidly low"), that the equipment is operating close to capacity.

Chances are that cat would have been just fine running on a 1991 car, but
modern OBD is forced by law to declare it dead.

 

wrote in

You don't give your mileage, but are you aware you have an eight-year, 80K
mile Federal warranty on the cat?