I'm looking for the best affordable, high-quality cat-back exhaust for my '99 GM6. I guess what I mean is, something that won't wake the dead, but sounds nice, and something that won't fall apart in a year.

The Tanabe stuff looks nice, but I think it's like $480, just for the muffler. Eff that.

Suggestions?

 

Not the answer you are looking for, but the truth:
2.25" pipe
Magnaflow muffler
Custom bent at your shop of choice

Should run you about $200-250, good mellow sound, quality muffler, no 'tuner' price tag. No, it won't be stainless, but you can upgrade to stainless for probably another $75-100.

You pay for convenience with mail-order systems, but they don't necessarily make any more power. Pretty don't make it fast.

Just an opinion of someone who has BTDT.