# 2002 Subaru Forester catalytic converter - one or two piece? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 22, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-subaru-forester-catalytic-converter-one-or-two-piece/72575 "2012-05-22T00:39:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jp10558](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@jp10558](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jp10558)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-subaru-forester-catalytic-converter-one-or-two-piece/72575/1 "2012-05-22T00:39:39Z")
Why are some catalytic converters on Amazon and online parts stores one piece for ~$100 and some 2 pieces with a big pipe between them for $400-$800? How do you know which one you need? Code reader suggested replacing catalytic converter to fix the code (sadly this is a used car and I wasn’t able to write down the code, but I remember the reader diagnosis)… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-subaru-forester-catalytic-converter-one-or-two-piece/72575/2 "2012-05-22T00:54:56Z")
Have you checked this out at [rockauto.com](http://rockauto.com)? I wouldn’t go by Amazon. Also, it might not be the cat, other problems (O2 sensor, etc.) can cause a cat code. Don’t spend the money until you know. And is this a car you’re considering buying? If it is RUN AWAY. ---
**Author:** ![jp10558](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@jp10558](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jp10558)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-subaru-forester-catalytic-converter-one-or-two-piece/72575/3 "2012-05-22T02:13:51Z")
We’re getting a good price on the car and this seems to be the only problem. The expected cost is factored into the price we’re paying (well, expected for a catalytic converter). It’ll be less than other similar Subaru Foresters we’ve found in our area by $1500, and those need a head gasket replacement. I don’t see why one repair on a 10 yr old car would be “run away”… ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-subaru-forester-catalytic-converter-one-or-two-piece/72575/4 "2012-05-22T02:15:19Z")
Because you don’t really know what the problem is, as I said. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-subaru-forester-catalytic-converter-one-or-two-piece/72575/5 "2012-05-22T02:22:42Z")
Buying a vehicle with an existing problem is always a hige gamble. Often one doesn;t know the extent of a problem until one gets deeply into it. I agree with Texases. Keep looking. ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-subaru-forester-catalytic-converter-one-or-two-piece/72575/6 "2012-05-22T02:25:38Z")
Take the car to a Subaru competent shop and have them check it out. If the seller won’t allow it, he’s hiding something. Do like texases said and run.