How to find car parts for a Suzuki SX4?
January 2, 2018 1:41 PM   Subscribe

Mechanic tells me he can't find two catalytic converter replacements for my car for under $1500. Can I do any hunting myself?

Last year I bought a used Suzuki SX4. It was extremely cheap ($5,700-ish) and I bought it since it worked, and I had just totalled my car and needed something ASAP.

My mechanic (who I love) looked at it after I bought it and said it looked in good shape except the two catalytic converters were either only partially working or one not working at all, I don't remember exactly.

Fast forward to this week, when I had him look at my car and he says that it will not pass inspection as it is. He was looking into after-market parts and all he can find are ones for $1,500, possibly apiece. He does not think he can replace one without damaging the other.

That sounds so expensive! Is there anything I can do or search for that would be fruitful? How do people find used car parts like this?

What should my next steps be with my mechanic? He mentioned something to me about getting an emissions exemption if I stay under 5,000 miles per year but I didn't really understand what he meant.

I apologize for the absolutely zero knowledge I have of cars and car parts. Thanks so much!
posted by amicamentis to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)
 
Response by poster: Additionally: It is a 2007 model.
posted by amicamentis at 1:42 PM on January 2, 2018


It took me about 90 seconds to find several aftermarket converters at a fraction of the price you were quoted, despite having to fat finger the search on my phone. I have no idea why your mechanic is finding that difficult. That aside, I’d want to know why the converters failed In the first place, because it’s not normal for them to need replacement at the age of your car. If there’s some other problem that led to this, it should be fixed first.
posted by jon1270 at 1:58 PM on January 2, 2018


Agreed, I can find them for $500 for the pair with delivery in two days assuming this isn't some weird model that isn't obvious from the question.

But the life expectancy depends on the mileage. If they are ten years old, the car has done near to 10,000 miles and the car has been in a rough winter environment (ie Pittsburg, if your location is correct) then I could see corrosion and mileage lifing them out. It's worth checking the car is otherwise running well, obviously, but I'm not that shocked the cats are dying.
posted by Brockles at 2:04 PM on January 2, 2018


Yes, here are some links to my go-to source for car parts - Rock Auto. It looks like you could get both the front and rear catalytic converters for about $500 total, and that's going with the most expensive set in my link. FWIW, I bought a catalytic converter online and had it shipped to my house. Then I took it and had it installed at a Meineke muffler place. This was on a 1980s era car. It's been awhile, but I believe the install cost was about $200 or so.

Catalytic converters for 2007 Suzuki SX4 at Rock Auto

Good luck!
posted by Slothrop at 2:04 PM on January 2, 2018


2007? Should still be under the manufacturer's emissions warranty. Make them deal with it, that's what it's for.
posted by wierdo at 3:25 PM on January 2, 2018


Oh and yes, they will complain that it has now been over 10 years. Luckily, you have (or can get from your mechanic) documentation that the problem began during the warranty period.

I'm surprised your mechanic didn't mention that unless the car has so many miles on it the warranty expired on mileage. (10 years/125k miles is the required amount, IIRC, and I'm assuming you're in the US and the SX4 like most modern autos no longer has a separate California qualified version)
posted by wierdo at 3:30 PM on January 2, 2018


Get a second opinion on the work. Shouldn't take too long and it definitely couldn't hurt.
posted by Slinga at 8:06 PM on January 2, 2018


Response by poster: These are wonderful comments, thank you all so much. I bought the car used so I never even thought about the warranty situation - it has a bit over 100,000 miles I believe.

That is a good idea to get a second opinion.

I'm glad to have the Rock Auto recommendation. I don't think there's anything weird about the model, just a straight SX4.

I really, really like this car and want to have it as long as possible! Thanks again.
posted by amicamentis at 8:57 AM on January 4, 2018


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