Muffler longevity?

[czwan]

I know a long time ago (don't remember when) I had to get my muffler replaced. Since then I want to say twice I've had to get a new tail pipe welded on after noticing it getting louder and louder. Additionally, within the last week I noticed the loud noise again--the back of the tailpipe was all corroded--soon it fell off. So yesterday I had to have a whole new muffler installed.

I guess my question is how often is this maintenance normally needed? I know that everything eventually wears out, but I don't remember ever even thinking about mufflers with other cars I've had. Also, I've never heard any of my friends talking about replacing/fixing mufflers on their cars.

On a side note, it's weird that it's not acceptable (even illegal?) to drive a car that's loud due to needing a new muffler....but it's apparently OK to pay a lot of money to have a new muffler installed that's purposely designed to be loud.

[mitmaks]

Which part of US you live at? Road salt, high humidity would explain corrosion, especially on the underside of the car

[czwan]

Yeah, I always heard about all the problems they have with corrosion because of road salt in the cold & snow up north. I'd never heard of it being an issue in the midwest...