It seems I have sprung a small exhaust leak. It sounds like it is coming from directly under the cabin, either from the y-pipe or midpipe. When I rev the engine, i hear a slight rasp along with small pops/backfires. I can deal with the noise, but its inevitably going to get worse. Living in the midwest, salt has taken its toll on my exhaust. My exhaust is stock with 101K miles. What could be leaking?

 

I live in the Midwest as well, noticed that the exhaust is louder then normal and had the same issues you described. Looked underneath and saw that the exhaust broke right off after the cat and before the muffler where the bracket is. Mine only lasted 75k.

 

Get under the car, take a look. It's probably happening at the connection between the cats and y-pipe or y-pipe and mid pipe but no way to tell. You could have hit something that popped a hole in for all we know from here.

If it's not something you can see at first glance, turn the car on and take a 2nd look. Pretty easy to find most of the time.