IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO USE R-12 (FREON). You can still buy it, if you have a license to do so. I actually have one, after taking a 2-3 hour exam online. So I can go to the store and buy cans of Freon for my SC. I recommend that you use the Freon, over other substitutes.

I think people are confusing R-12 usage with R-12 production, which is illegal in the U.S. (however, it is still produced outside of the U.S.)

I paid $25 for a can of Freon BTW.

 

Go to wallmart/autozone/watever, get the conversion for less than $40! then give it to the dealer, they will do it and charge it, in my case... for less than 1 hours labor, and you'll be good as new! the new stuff is about $12 a pound as i recall, the old was around $60, good luck!

 

I used the Johnsons Freeze 12. Works great in my car, and was ~$40 from eBay. Don't need a license to get it, either.

 

r12 is only illegal in canada we have to get our rides down there to get our r12 hook up!