what would be a good exhaust for a 2004 that would sound real nice but also help the engine in both power and life if possible

 

You won't really get power from an exhaust, but Borla, Racing Beat, Mazdaspeed are good places to start. I suggest you check youtube for videos comparing the sound. What is 'nice' to you is subjective.

If your local emissions laws allow you to replace the catalytic converter with a midpipe, BHR is a good option. The exhaust will smell more, but you are removing a failure point and gaining a bit of power.

This question gets asked pretty often, so look around for other exhaust threads via search.

 

There are several threads on this. Each describes pluses and minuses.

I recently went from factory (no cat) to a catted Turbo XS. It is a bit loud, but the engine really liked it, surprisingly at low RPM. I can drive through neighborhood in 6th gear at 25 mph, and accelerate or go up a hill as necessary, not the case on the old exhaust. But, is loud. Was hit last night on the highway. Exhaust is trashed, I may try something else. Still need to hear from the shop.

 

****. You got hit? Is everything ok man? Are YOU ok?

 

And to the OP, check out R-Magic. They sound really good in my opinion. Not too loud. Not too quiet. I think they claim to increase power by 10bhp. Not sure though. Maybe someone else here can correct me.

 

i got Racing Beat duel res midpipe paired with HKS hi power and i do this!
its a screen shot of a video from my phone