> I'm not sure how well stocked your tool box is, and what sort of shop
> equipment you have to tackle the exhaust system.
> 
> I do know this.
> 
> The exhaust shop has a rack, and a oxy-acetylene torch.
> And they'll be eating the rust flakes, not you.
> 

I concur. I'd consider $150 a small price to pay to drive away with
clean hands and most of my weekend still ahead of me to do with as I
please. Even if I had a rack and a torch, I'd be tempted to let
someone else deal with exhaust wrestling. I find it to be the most
thoroughly unfulfilling class of automotive repair. Changing an
exhaust system is full day guaranteed to bombard you with as many
rounded bolt heads, buggered nuts, broken studs, and general stuck
fasteners as it can. I say hand it off to the guy who's getting paid
to do it.