Killer muffler deal

[Petros]

just change phone company, competition is a great thing, there are others offering better deals than AT&T.

Keep us posted on if you ever track one of these bad boys down.

[ARCHINSTL]

Well - This is what I received from Bosal
Thomas
I am sorry to say that this part is no longer made. The last sale was in Dec. of 09.
George
I presume the last sales were to APW, who sold to danzo in June and ? in March.
Before receiving the email from Bosal, I Googled the part number and called every source who showed it - none had it in stock.
I'm still looking, but it seems kinda hopeless.
Tom M.

[splatterdog]

Guess I got the last one. Bought 3 so far this year, the last was a couple weeks ago. My supplier is now out as well. They do say "on order" though.

Even though I just got away with a patch job on my 85, I think I will hold on to the last one until needed. Sorry guys..

Obviously there is demand, why discontinue? 80's cars were the last to get regular exhaust repairs.

Someday I hope to have a pipe bender so no exhaust system goes obsolete.

[ARCHINSTL]

I did send a reply to "George," thanking him for the courtesy of the reply - and asking if there were any plans to make more. While it is a part dedicated to the T4WD, there is a demand. I also mentioned that I would post info on our site. Maybe he will answer positively...
Tom M.

[splatterdog]

Here's an alternate for a $105. Never heard of the brand. Too bad they cut it in half for shipping. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/83-88-To ... ccessories

[hberdan]

HAve you looked into locally owned muffler shops for the work? A couple of years ago I replaced everything behind the cat on my 87 and it was only about $110 with the installation at a muffler shop. Seems to work fine.
Midas and those other chains charge out the wazoo for stuff, but local shops sometimes will cut deals, and they see lots of older cars.

[ARCHINSTL]

What I finally wound up with...
I went to Bosal's site and discovered that there was ONE catback in the country, at its Denver warehouse only. I called that warehouse and confirmed that, indeed, ONE was actually in stock. It only sells to a retailer, so -
I finally found an online source that listed the Bosal catback, FCP Groton, LLC, out of Old Saybrook, CT. It also has brick and mortar stores. It does not list many old Tercel parts at all, but is worth exploring, at http://www.fcpgroton.com. I spoke with an amazingly friendly - and knowledgeable - parts guy, Nick Chieppo. He agreed to get the catback at only $85; I also ordered the front pipe at $38 and therefore received free freight. The service from this outfit was simply astounding!

I received a further note from Bosal, as I had sent a note asking that it advise if/when this catback would again be manufactured. It said it did not plan on making it again, but would keep my note on file. There are a number of the front pipes still in stock in its warehouses and at least a few vendors; this is peculiar to the Wagon as well.
Incidentally, I explored every single online vendor for this catback by using its Bosal part number, 286-799, as the term in a Google Search. The FCP outfit was the only one that advised it could get it - and at a great price as well.

And a further note about Auto Parts Warehouse: It took a while to receive credit, but it ultimately came through. As far as I am concerned, based on the experience with the lying initial sales rep - it's caveat emptor...
Incidentally, the front pipe I received from its warehouse was unboxed. The front pipe and catback I received directly from Bosal (via FCP) were boxed quite nicely.
Tom M.

[splatterdog]

Could be some good news on the Bosal cat backs. My supplier(that I cleaned out) now says on order-due Nov 30.

[ARCHINSTL]

Now, THAT'S interesting!
The info I've received from Bosal directly (which I've posted here) is that it was quite unlikely it would be producing these for such a small volume - and it is peculiar to the 4WD Wagon only.
While I have yet to install my front pipe and catback (JB Weld to the rescue of the latter!), they certainly seem well-made, with some strong hangers.
I'd call the APC outfit I mentioned earlier - its $85 price is certainly killer. Heck, even at full retail (whatever that is...), it seems a good unit.
And if splatterdog, as a pro, endorses it - it must be sterling.
Tom M.

[splatterdog]

Just checked my supplier today. They show at least one Bosal system in their Cal wharehouse. Could be a good sign!

[Petros]

"have to wait until the next billing cycle and until then Sir, please pay the full amount on the bill - Yes, we know it is too much, but pay it anyway and we will issue a credit on the month following that"...).
Aacckk - enough to go back to cigarettes! Maybe booze will help?

The only thing that will help is switching phone companies, and than ignore the old bill until THEY give up. With you using another Carrier there is no way they can threaten you.

Personally I would just pay the balance you owe, and than switch phone companies. Any attempts to collect you just dispute the bill, you can drag it out for years, until they give up. that is how I too care of ATT when I switch years ago because they could never send us a correct bill. They act dumb every time we called or wrote, so now I can act dumb. "we paid all we owe you, so stop calling"

Aren't free markets wonderful?

[hberdan]

Just checked my supplier today. They show at least one Bosal system in their Cal wharehouse. Could be a good sign!

286-799
Amazon shows them in stock at $79 with free shipping as of today.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00180OW78

Also:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bosal-28 ... 0535204796

[ARCHINSTL]

This is really interesting - Amazon, too, shows only 1 in stock at free freight.
The eBay ad does not state the quantity remaining, but shows $15 as the freight charge - and claims it must go by common carrier (truck line, which could be a hassle) - but mine was delivered by FedEx.

Frankly, I would call BOSAL. I just now went to its inventory/warehouse locations and it states that none are in stock -anywhere.
Its warehouses in the USA are:
Whippany, NJ 800-631-7271
Indianapolis 800-451-1283
Denver 303-922-0400
Mine came from the latter warehouse. That manager said it was the last in the country (back in October), which is what the fellow at BOSAL HQ in MI told me as well (734-547-7000).
The Canadian location is in Kingston, ON - 613-384-4150. It's not shown as a warehouse, but I'd think it would be, as it makes stuff there.

Again - if the eBay vendor is connected with Auto Parts Warehouse - I would be cautious.
Tom M.

[warbstrd]

just ordered from amazon couple days ago, they say its shipped be here on the 6 of January. We shall see what happens.

[splatterdog]

Coincidentally, my supplier is back to "on order" without a due date....