[JFP in PA]

Guys, I have been listening to conversations like this for some time now, so let me give you a shop owner's view on the subject:

Yes, OEM cats are pricey, thats why people steal them. More and more states are restricting the use of used cats due to this problem. The low cost aftermarket is questionable; lower cost cat replacements often do not pass emissions sniffer tests, fitment is questionable and draws attention to inspectors that they are not factory. So when we get a customer that has either failed emissions testing, or the car is throwing codes saying that the cats are "aging out" (read dying); we tell them we will only use new OEM cats. If they don't like that answer, I tell them to take it any other shop they want to use, but we will not install parts that we know are going to be problematic and result in comebacks or worse.

So, to sum up: Yes, new OEM cats are pricey; if they are outside your budget, I'd suggest selling the car and buying something you can afford rather than spending time and money to try to evade the inevitable..........