Is $2100 reasonable for replacing a catalytic converter?

For a car that old, I'd go with a generic, if one is available and allowed on Georgia.

You must be in Atlanta, because my brother lives in South Georgia, and there is no emissions test there.

 

Ebay

Some others:
Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter, Prius High Flow Catalytic Converters - 2001 - 2014
05 2005 Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter - Exhaust - Bosal, DEC, Eastern Catalytic, Walker, Front, Front and Rear, Rear - PartsGeek
2005 Toyota Prius (OEM - Used)
2005 TOYOTA PRIUS Catalytic Converter

 

1. MSRP of the catalytic converter is $1,648 and you can buy it for $1,236 plus shipping from this Houston Toyota dealer:
2005 Toyota Prius Parts - AutoNation Toyota Gulf Freeway Parts

2. My guess is that around two labor hours would be required to install the cc so I'll leave it to you to decide whether your local dealer's price is fair.

3. Considering the age and odometer reading of your car, you may do well to look into an aftermarket catalytic converter. Check with local specialty muffler shops to see what they can do for you. A local shop may be able to replace the cc with a generic for $500 or so.

4. If you want to defer replacing the cc, you can try first replacing the air/fuel ratio sensor located upstream from the cc. That may help the engine ECU to decide that the cc is OK for now.

 

Quite a bit of the exhaust, $300 2004-2009 Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter - Exhaust - Bosal 04-09 Prius Catalytic Converter - 18054-05335506 - PartsGeek

Only two major parts replaces everything

 

I believe, this is legal in Georgia to replace with aftermarket catalytic converter
I replaced Toyota Camry 1996 catalytic converter with aftermarket one ~$350 including labor cost at Atlanta(Buford Hwy) in 2004 to pass Georgia emission test.

 

My 2006 Prius has almost 186000 miles on it, and the check engine light came on two weeks ago, with the code for catalytic converter (P0420). I ordered a replacement converter from Amazon for about $65, including next-day shipping, and had it installed for $100 at a local muffler shop. Voila! Problem solved.

 

What were the details on which one you ordered? I've seen several places quote different diameters for the converters...

 

Are these super-cheap aftermarket catalytic converters actually doing anything to reduce tail pipe emissions? What's inside them; are they meeting any spec??

 

I'd have to figure if it isn't continuing to throw a P0420 code that it has to at least be doing something right, otherwise the O2 sensors would be picking it up and complaining that it wasn't functioning to proper efficiency.

 

Yeah, seems plausible. But with that gulf in prices, something not adding up. Maybe it fails in a year, and the "company" long gone? Who knows.

 

Mendel, It is a quirk of CA CARB rules, in CA you can only use Approved Devices. In the case of the Prius, no one has gone through the considerable hassle of getting CARB approval. So in CA you can ONLY use a new Toyota catalytic converter. In most of the rest of the world, they can sell what works.

 

I wonder if the same precious metals are in the cheapies, or if what IS in there is as effective? Have to say: I'm clueless as to what exactly is in there, but I understand they're semi-rare/valuable materials.

Patrick links the genuine Toyota part for $1236 (still a lot less than what OP was quoted from dealership, installed). And then R3PB get's one through Amazon for $65, with shipping?? These numbers are just head shakers.

 

The same online Toyota parts store sell a 9006 foglight bulb for $16.85.
Ignoring the 'sold by', Amazon sells one for $6.86

That seem similar to Toyota's price of $1236 to my quality aftermarket price of $298.27 which included 2/3 of the entire exhaust system.

Buying a bare Cat is going to involve a LOT of fabrication work and welding. Being lazy, I would be inclined to buy the other 1/3 as well, just to avoid all the rusty fittings.

 

Patrick's link is for the entire downpipe, running from the end of the exhaust manifold to the CC, and ends before the muffler section. And since it's a genuine OEM part, expect at least 100% mark-up.

The $65 CC only from Amazon probably doesn't last more than a couple years. Amazon isn't what it was since it opened its door the 3rd party sellers.... hint, hint... knock-offs from the Middle Kingdom.

As for Cali and CARB-regulated states, I wonder if the CC is really all that different or it's just regulation to minimize low quality products from being used.

 

Yeah with our decades past vehicles, if it wasn't the muffler, it was the next pipe upstream, that was turning into a hunk of rust. They seem better these days: stainless??

 

well, cheap replacement just works ...
as I remember, cheap cata...replacement was not good, kind of recycling/refurbished from used part.
this did not last long enough, hey... 4-5 years life should be good... since before that time, the car got sold already ")

 

DONT forget, that once you DO replace the old catalytic converter, to get the bad one back and turn it in to a recycling center for $$$$. I think they are worth $80 or so.

You can help recoop your repair that way.

I second, third and fourth the discussion to get an aftermarket cat. I would get an aftermarket cat anyways, even if my 2007's went bad at my current mileage (92,000) or at the OP's mileage (but especially at the OP's mileage!)

 

If you can only get an oem cat in California, if needed I would drive to Nevada to get one at 80% off

 

Word.