2 door 2000 mirage cat-back pipe save $100-$150
 

Hello all, just wanted to present a problem with a very hard to find and very expensive exhaust part. I have a 2000 mirage 1.5 liter California emissions with 2 doors. It seems nobody makes the exhaust pipe section between the catalytic converter and the muffler for this vehicle. All aftermarket brands only make this pipe for the 4 door version. After talking to the guy at Bosal, he says the 1.5 and 1.8 liter 4 door pipes are the same diameter, but 2 door is not available. only thing I can do is go through the dealer. Dealer wants $200+. Pictures for the 4 door model pipe looks identical to what I needed. Price at advanceautoparts was about $100 for the 4 door pipe. called their service number and they told me it gets shipped through bosal and will take 3-5 days and gave me 20% off. While paying advanced representative realizes it will take 6-8 days, apologizes, and decides to give me 40% off. I paid $70 total, shipped to my house in 5 days. Yesterday I took off my rotted pipe between the cat and muffler, laid it on the ground next to the new pipe. Turns out all the bends, connections and hangar locations are identical, only this 4 door pipe is about 4 inches longer. The length difference is on the straight pipe right after the resonator. I cut it into two pieces with a pipe cutter, hung the resonator portion and attached it to the cat. then I took the s-shaped portion, hung it and attached it to my muffler. I lined up the overlapping pipes and marked it with a marker. Removed the pipe, cut it and again put it back in place. Came together perfectly. I could have purchased a connection, not sure of the size, but I opted to spot weld in two places. I removed the entire pipe (now one piece again) and welded all around and reinstalled with new gaskets. No leaks, car so quiet now I am not ashamed anymore! So for those of you with a 2 door version who don't want to pay $200+, get bosal part number 285-179 and cut it on the straight portion after the cat and reconnect, then take the family out to dinner or whatever with the $100+ you just saved. I wish I measured the difference, but it is easily determined as I did it..... Hope this helps someone someday.