Hey I would like to get your opinions on used exhaust and would you buy them over brand new ones. This guy is selling his Ark Grip exhaust for $800 and told me it has some scrapes because the guy before him lowered his car but says there are no holes or dents and it wont effect performance. Just wanted to get your thoughts to see if I should go through with this buy.
Thanks!

 

If you can see it firsthand that's a big deal. It's much harder to have it shipped out at a pretty high expense (typically) and if you end up w/ some surprises it can get expensive to remedy the situation. If you can see it check for any significant scrapes, rusting, flanges that might not be flat & true, also if it comes w/ gaskets and mounting bolts.

 

I got my exhaust used and no complains. They were not perfect but they only costed me fraction of the retail yet sound exactly the same. Cosmetic scrapes do not bother me as the exhaust is tucked under the car and my car is not a show car so getting used is a no brainer for me. Exhaust is not rocket science as they are just pipes. Just make sure there are no damaged welds and flanges that would cause leaks. Blnewt pretty much covered everything.

 

Thanks for the info guys! Yea the person selling the exhaust is local so Im going to take a look this weekend. Just wanted to see if it was worth me actually going. Hopefully everything looks like its in good condition

 

if seller is local, you have almost 0 risk or expense besides sometime and gas driving both ways. Usually a person's opinion of mild damage varies from one to another.

If they were not cleaned regularly, pick up a mothers powerball mini and some metal polish and you should be able to bring it back into good condition.

 

prepurchase clearance mod...

 

Scrapes and scratches are not gouges and rips didn't know people stared under your car

 

I have some used exhaust piecestoo. Pipes are pipes man. Someone already took the brand new price hit and you're going to benefit from that. As stated, as long as they aren't damaged, you're set. Not to mention ARK's just sound plain sexy!

 

Just one more thing the exhaust already had two owners so I would be the 3rd owner if i get it. I will be going this weekend to look at it in person. The guy wants $800 + my oem exhaust do you think thats a good trade off?

 

If it's in good shape that would be ok, depends if you plan to return your vehicle back to stock when you resell it. Returning back to stock often gets you more cash in the end and buyers are often hesitant to buy cars w/ such mods.

 

It is irrelevant with the numbers of ownership. What matters are the current condition of the exhaust and if all the hardwares are included. Personally I am a cheapskate so I would pass the $800 + stock exhaust. I think the price can be lowered and it would be a hassle to meet up with the guy and find a place RIGHT AWAY to swap out the exhaust so you can complete the deal. If you are okay with $800, then I would bargain for a straight cash deal with no stock exhaust. Good luck.

 

That's a decent deal still but its the exact situation you'll be in if you wanna sell the car later. Trying to sell your exhaust AND trade for OEM again. I wouldn't sell the OEM exhaust unless you just never plan on selling or are cool with someone using the louder exhaust as a base to lower your sale price at some point.

 

Used is the way to go with mods in my opinion. An exhaust is just a bunch of pipes and a couple of mufflers. As long as the mileage is not super high and the guy didn't go off roading I would worry about it. Think about it. You can get the same part used for like 60%.

 

even stock exhaust aint cheap if you decide later to stockify...

 

I know forsure I'm going to keep the car for another 4 or 5 years until I finish schooling. But yea I'll see if I can lower the price a bit.