Last week I got a new OEM muffler from the dealer. http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/new_muffler_07.jpg How much did it cost me? Not one red cent. Not for parts, not for labor. I originally had this thing installed in 1999 for $500 (yes! OW!), after several unpleasant experiences with aftermarket mufflers from such places as Midas. The 1999 OEM muffler came with a "lifetime" warranty. I used that warranty four years later, in 2003, and have used it once again in 2007. In probably the harshest automotive climate in North America -- salt-ridden northeastern Canada -- my mufflers are regularly lasting four years. In this case, the tailpipes were falling off. The muffler and other piping were fine. No problem for the dealership, which replaced the assembly without complaint. The "muffler" is one piece from the join just ahead of, and inboard of, the rear wheel to the taipipes. It's funny. I've driven probably 300-400 miles since it was installed, and the tailpipes aren't even black yet.
My 98 civic is still riding with the original exhaust... I'm in Winterpeg... Just waiting for it to go and will do the same you did, OEM all the way.
i'm right there with you - that's why i buy oem honda mufflers. $20 extra, but lifetime replacements? don't need to be a math genius to figure that one out. then you're not lead-booting it enough! it'll blacken up quickly enough with a bit of full throttle.
Alas, had to finally break down and replace the original muffler on my '90 accord this summer. Fortunately, the balance of the exhaust system is still in fine shape. $79 at midas. Suspect this one will last the remaining life of the vehicle. Frank
Um, Toyota has been doing this for 15 years... For $150!!!!! (It may be more now, but I had one done for $150, and another done 3 years ago on a different car for $165) My Mom replaced the exhaust on her '86 Camry 8 years ago, but she only drives 4-7 miles at a time, so the pipe rusts from the inside. She just had her 2nd free replacement done!!
I wouldn't count on it. Depending on your driving, it may rust within a year. Of course, what happened to me may happen to you: had them replace the exhaust on my car about 15 years ago with a "Lifetime" muffler. 18 months later, the pipes were rusting out! (Original Toyota exhuast went 10 years!) I went back to have them replaced and was faced with a bill for $125! Huh? What happened to the "Lifetime Warranty"? Oh...the *MUFFLER* has a Lifetime Warranty! The pipes, clamps, etc have NO WARRANTY! So, while the rest of the exhaust crumbles in 1-2.5 years. the muffler stays shiny and new for years and years and years!
with all that rustproofing goop, he doesn't have to worry about it. That whats holding it together! just kiddin... I seriously wish I had kept up the rustproofing on my 98 civic, but so far so good, just a little rust on, you guessed it... the rear wheel wells. They had these stupid rubber strips in there from the factory that kept all the road grit and salt sitting right on that ledge all the way around the wheel well. Why, pray tell, did they do that?!?!?
Well I see them on pretty much all civics and integras of that vintage.... bad bad design! They even replaced them at the dealership when I had an accident.
Unless they were more popular then, before people began realizing it helps water accumulate - creating rust. Had an '89 Prelude Si but used which has this molding. Saw others that did but most didn't. Also see most Hondas now do not have them, with the exception of a few and one particular dealership in particular puts them on ALL of their new Hondas (also charges the additional dealer markup). Bad dealership anyway. I suppose they replaced them since it already had them on the other parts of the car. -Dave
In combination with grease and Rust check, they work marvellously to keep the wheel well lips totally free of rust. The Rust Check swells the rubber though, so I've had to replace the strips twice over the years.
There is no rust. Believe it or not. I do have several spots on the hood, though. These are stone chips that got away from me. I gave up on trying to keep up with all the stone chips that accumulate, and just get the hood repainted every few years. It's getting painted again next week, actually. $500 to do that. I suspect I also have some rust under the passenger door window reveal. That's my next project.
