I'm guessing I'm one of the older posters (40) here. I have been agonizing for a while about an exhaust for my '96, especially since it had a hole in the B-pipe area. Anyway, I had been torn between a Greddy system complete or an Apexi muffler. Well, I got,,NEITHER. Went to a local shop and they had Magnaflows, but after looking at it, it's a straight thru design which means loud to me (remember, old guy here). I ended up with a 40 series Flowmaster and a shiny tip.
Looks? NONE, except for the tip. You can't even see the Flowmaster from the side.
Sounds? I like it. There is boominess between 2000 and 2600 RPM's, which just happens to be where most of my city driving has the engine running. At highway speeds, 3000 rpm and above, it's just as quiet as the factory exhaust. It has a nice little burble, especially on startup, and when you let off the gas as well. Total price including installation? $200.00. That's $200 saved for suspension next...
HP? Don't know. I know I didn't LOSE any power, so if nothing else, I came out OK since the exhaust needed fixing anyway. I don't plan to do a Y-pipe or anything else until the car becomes a track-only car (which it will- I used to race SCCA ITA).
I guess I'm saying, that if you're on a tight budget and looks are not an all out priority for you, there are other options that may do the job AND save you $$.

 

truu im getting a custom pipe made for a dual exhaust...guys at the muffler shop said $220 for it and thats a pretty fair price

 

Most of us have upgraded our Y pipes for street use only.