I have a magnaflow stainless on my 3rd gen and a custom bent aluminized one on my second gen. They were both about the same price with all new tubing. I would say the cat back cost is due to stainless and prebent.

 

I can see why headers cost as much as they do, There is actually alot of calculation, design and thought that goes into them, not to mention some tricky welding, mandral bent tubes and usually a nice ceramic bath.

However, Exhaust piping isn't as tricky. I guess I see the alure of not having to worry about welding and getting everything pre-bent, especially if it is mandral bent. Thanks guys for helping to understand.

Now Im gonna go do my exhaust, Just me, the welder and a tree to bend some pipe with.

 

Good luck with that