Catalytic Converter (fail)
 

A while back I started hearing what sounded like metal rattling underneath the car when i would take of or come to a stop. Figured out my cat was shot. Check engine light came on, pulling the codes said that was more than likely the problem then after getting some warranty work done Mazda confirmed it.
I don't have the money to buy a new one ($1400). Any suggestions?

Would removing it completely mess something up?

How old is the car? There is a federally mandated warranty on cats, not sure of exact mileage/age but it's up there, 6-7 years.

My cat is making the same noise since I got my 8 I tought it was normal... mazda charge to check them out?

Its a 2004, 90k miles. Mazda did warranty work on the clutch bracket after it failed and just came across it during i guess a routine inspection.

90k miles puts you outside of the federally mandated warranty... You could gut the cat, go with a high-flow cat, or an aftermarket midpipe as far as alternatives go.

I'd recommend looking up the RP Supercat and BHR midpipe for starters. Catless solutions will register a check-engine light that can be masked with a Cobb AccessPort.

You should have 80k mile warranty on the cat. At least from what they told me. Id take it there asap. If they fix that they will more than likely tell you other things it needs. Most of them are things you can do yourself and will cost a buttload from them.

If it's out of warranty, get a midpipe and AP, cost less than 1k~ :P

Yup, ive been looking at some midpipes n such. I'll more than likely be going that direction.