I went the the state inspection yesterday (Pennsylvania). The mechanic told me that my driver side catalytic converter is done, and the passenger side cat is going to done soon. They need to be replace to pass the inspection.

I searched on the internet and the price range of cat is wide, from 70 to 450. My car is 98' Audi A4 Quattro. Does it mean I need the expensive cat??

BTW the engine light is NOT on. But the mechanic has very good reputation, I don't think he would cheat me. And he showed me how the sub-frame(? Where the transmission sit on) rusty, it is only couple papers thick. He suggested me to get a new car ASAP.

 

as far as cats go, i heard the OEMs are 5-600 each. Maybe just where I live or something...anyway, could it be possible for you to buy and install cheaper ones just to pass inspection? I myself wouldn't spend 70 bucks on something my car needs, but i wouldn't spend 600 either. its really up to you though.

is this the subframe he was talking about?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...d=280556216924
if there's a ton wrong with the car that you are not mentioning, I would go for a new car. maybe an 04-05ish a4? those look niiice

 

How did he decide that the cats are gone if there's no CEL? Scan your codes yourself.

The transmission doesn't sit on the subframe. The engine does. Get a picture of what he meant and get back to us.