I was wondering if the OEM 00-01 exhaust will fit the 02-03 maxima.

V

 

yes it will...

 

Is there a benefit to using the 00-01 exhaust on the 02-03?

 

I don't think so...if there is a difference between the two, the 02-03 exhaust should be used....since the system is pushing out 3.5l of gases versus 3.0l

 

The muffler inlet for 00-03 is 1.75-2.0in.

 

There is no difference between the two..... correct if am wrong...

 

Just muffler tips.

 

There is one big difference........PRICE $$$

Dealer quoted me three hundred something for an 02-03 muffler
Got an 00-01 from the local parts store for a little over a hundred.

 

Did you try asking the SAME dealer for the 00-01 muffler? I notice you said "local parts store"....that could be the difference in pricing right there...of course dealership parts department will charge alot more than a 3rd party store....i'm not sayin this is the case, but we will never know until you get an exact price quote comparison for 00-01 muffler vs 02-03 at the SAME dealership

 

they are about the same price... I replaced my cat-back 8 months ago, and I was quoted over $600 just for the Cat-back; the muffler was close to $400 of it.

If some parts store is telling you $100 it is not a true Nissan muffler, it a generic muffler that most likely will have to be welded on and will rust off in a year...

edit; why do you need a new muffler? if the connection broke, you can put a sleeve over it and still use it for some time.