2008 HHR with 81,000 miles has a cracked in the top flexible pipe near the engine. Wow $950 to replace seems a little much early to have problem with tailpipes?

 

wow that's what I was quoted back in April, I found a pipe with new cat and gaskets for $168.00 on E-Bay, you can also weld in a new flex pipe replacement or have a muffler shop do it!!

 

Like Oldblue says, there are a number of aftermarket parts that are MUCH cheaper available at places other than the dealer. A number of members have it replaced by a dealer under the 8 yr/80,000 warranty, but you likely have just missed that. see: https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/prob...arranty-37340/

An alternative is to have a muffler shop cut off the top section of the pipe and weld on a replacement flex joint (typically made of stainless flex 'hose" with a manifold flange on the top end).

 

BTW, have your motor mounts checked. A crack on the top is a little odd.