Wondering if someone can guide me on this one. I have a 2000 GS400 that has developed an exhaust leak. Sounds like a NASCAR stocker at Daytona - it's loud!

Took it to my local Lexus dealer - told me it's a cracked y-pipe. They quoted me a price of $930!!!! For that price, I figure I could get a completely new exhaust system.

Is there a replacement y-pipe (I think there are two, this is the front pipe) that's cheaper and I could replace myself? Or, is there a street-legal exhaust system I could put in cheaper?

I want to car to be legal - it's my daily driver. No problem spending money to replace something, but $900 seems excessive. I may be wrong - I am not an expert on these cars by any means, but I have to believe others have had similar issues.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

Since it is outside your warranty, you should first find an independent muffler shop (not a chain), and talk to them to put in a new Y pipe, or see if it is repairable or not. Call around and get prices for a new Y pipe, and get one with the best warranty.

If you go to a chain, you're almost always going to hear "you need to replace everything" deal (unless you know someone working there), and your wallet will be crying at the end.

Do not go to the dealer for out of warranty work. If you go to the right place, you can have it done for cheap. Example: I have a muffler place around my area that can weld in a new Y pipe for around a hundred bucks.

 

If that is the so-called front pipe, then the OEM part is about $400. Add Lexus labor, and it's probably in the ballpark of 700-900 bucks. Are you a DIYer?

 

Thanks gents - less likely to go to an independent shop - I am always suspicious, although there is an honest local mechanic. My local dealer is a big name - never had an issue with out of warranty work as I have researched / compared / checked and they've always been in the ball park.

I am a DIY'er (hence my suspicious nature), but is the y-pipe a weld in job? If it is, I am screwed - I can't weld.

 

yea, go to any muffler shop and have them look at it.
if it is cracked, they might be able to weld it back together; since they are just pipes, it's easy.
or if it is not weldable, they would replace the cracked section with another piece of pipe and weld it in.
no worries. shouldnt cost much. i say less than 100 bucks

 

I know an independent mechanic with a good reputation. I'll give it a shot.

I can see spending even $400-500 on this - $930 is outrageous!!

Let you know how it goes.

 

It is a weld job, but you are not screwed. Again, ask around for a good local independent muffler place. I'm sure there are plenty in NY/NJ area. Ask about the warranty on their work. It's an easier job than you think. Why would you want to spend around $400-500 when its about a $100 job?

 

It's shouldn't even be that much at a muffler shop. Well, at least one that doesn't over charge. GL

 

It's about a $100 job - I spoke to someone that's had this done. My point was that prior to getting a nearly $1000 quote, I would have accepted a $400-500 payout to fix.

Finding out it's $100 - priceless. Believe me, I am happy this will get done for this price.

 

Lession learned: Don't believe the hype of the stealership. Stealerships are only good for warranty work and TSB's

Also, you really want to make sure you take it to not just any independent mechanic, but a dedicated independent muffler shop, because of the welding experience that they have there

Go out and buy yourself a nice Christmas gift with the $800 you save
Or if you're like me, put it in the bank