Educate me about exhaust options for the 2+2

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Hey guys, I recently picked up a 2+2 and what I've decided it so badly needs is an exhaust. What I've come to the conclusion though when searching for exhausts is that there's not too many options for the 2+2. I'm not looking to spend near $1000 for an exhaust either - it just doesn't make sense when compared to the value of the car (to me).

Anyways, would I be better off purchasing a 2+0 exhaust and have it "extended" by a muffler shop? I heard that this can be done fairly simply. Should I just have a muffler shop make me a full exhaust system? It's N/A and I have no plans of going turbo so 2.5" is what I want to stay around. I like the quad exhaust look much better than the HKS fart can look, especially since I'm trying to stay mostly stock.

Also, how much of a difference in sound (good or bad) am I going to see by replacing/not replacing the stock resonators? I HATE exhaust drone so resonators will be there regardless if they're oem or aftermarket. I care much more about the overall sound than power - it's not a fast car and I'm not trying to make it one.

Here's some pictures since everyone loves pictures. It's a 93 and I got it with 78K on it a couple months back. Pristine condition for the car being as old as me!

[DCaff300ZX]

Wow, congrats on a very clean 2+2!
I myself lean towards the muffler shop end of both ideas, you can easily have the 2+0 system modified fairly cheaply, or remade at 2 1/2" with the resonators and higher flow cats to net a little more throttle response and deeper sound without too much extra noise or drone, and all done at or under $1K.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

That's what I'm thinking I'll end up doing. I see no value in getting a high-end exhaust when the end goal is just trying to make it sound better. I'm not a brand whore when it comes to car parts and I know I can achieve what I want with some nice mufflers/resonators.

Are you saying I SHOULD replace the resonators? That's pretty much what I'm hung up on. The cats will probably stay stock for now. Emissions here in AZ is tough and I've had enough headaches with my old 240sx's.

[DCaff300ZX]

I'd say to have everything checked out and replace as necessary, depending upon if you upgrade the OEM exhaust setup or upgrade entirely. My comment regarding new cats and resonators was if you upgraded the full pipe size from OEM, which would then necessitate replacing both with the larger diameter units.
I assume that given the nature of limited 2+2 setups available, that a full replacement with aluminized steel piping would be best because they fit it to the car- and so no 2+2 problem.