You need to realize that even 10 years ago, the likelihood of these issues leading to a massive recall and shutdown of Toyota production would have been very slim... this is 100% due to media coverage, which has taken an extreme shift to doom and gloom in the last decade. Fear mongering is worth ton...

Well I started a garage post, so if you want to continue to follow this project, check it out. As for the spoiler, I really don't like it that much. In fact, I think the 1SC package is better than the GT in many ways. Lowering might be an option, and might eliminate the need for a strut brace... I w...

The biggest problem I have with a turbo is that I don't really know enough about them. I want to do pretty well all the work on this car myself (I don't trust most shops to torque the wheels properly), so then the problem becomes how can I install a turbo myself? I mean, the parts would bolt on for ...

Thanks for the link, it's still $300 USD with shipping for me, about the same as the other ones I've seen... the K&N only needs to be cleaned and re-oiled every 50,000 km or something, so really, it's not going to be a big deal for me. Some people will clean it more often, but it most cases it's...

I really don't know, I mean for what this car is for, it doesn't need a buttload of power. Intake and exhaust can add another 15 hp, correct? Without spending a bunch on FI, are there any other mods that could bring it up to about 200 HP?

Welcome to my Garage... stay tuned for more updates as we get rolling!

I've got the 2009 2.4 2AZ-FE, I believe those are going to be available new for quite some time as it's a very common performance engine. Not sure on the price though...

I think I might go with the TRD supercharger in a year or two. Adds about 75 horsepower in a couple of hours and wouldn't be too much for the stock internals and 5 speed auto. Would be nice to have limited slip though

Yeah, winter tires would be nice. Maybe next year, I'm still reeling from the downpayment. As for almost new... There are a ton of scratches around the ignition where whoever had it befre decided to blindly gouge at the dash, and my gf noticed a small scratch on the driver's side door near the handl...

More pics of the engine, and my first "mod":

Here are the pics, enjoy!The one above shows the Sunfire...

I see what you're saying, but I hardly think it's worth the extra money to purchase a totally new filter. You just need to be careful not to put too much on, right? I guess if the cold air intake didn't cost so darn much, I wouldn't mind spending some more on a dry filter hehe

Can you explain a little more about the over-oiling issues you mention?

Yeah, I jumped the gun there; no sunroof. I'm actually not that upset about it anyway, I've had vehicles with them and they usually turn out to be a hassle...Well, my GF and I have decided that the very first mod we're going to do is the sound system; mostly because we have no money, and it will tak...

Well, winter might not be that bad in Vernon (I'm originally from Kamloops), but -40 up here in Fort McMurray has led me to believe that a remote starter is worth the money! As well, I'm still on the fence with the lighting... it looks really good if it's done well. Of course, the crappy ones look l...

Thanks everyone... any suggestions for what I mentioned? I've drawn up a bit of a list of mods that I plan on doing:Remote StartWindow Tint (rears only)Intake (or maybe just a K&N filter)Ground Effects Lighting (probably red)Car Audio SystemExhaustOther than that, just playing the waiting game u...

Thanks... I guess I was a little TOO excited, I thought I had a sunroof for a second there hahahah. No such luck, upon further recollection... I really would like to get an HID kit for my Vibe too, but I can't find an online supplier that will stay in business long enough to ship here in Canada. I'm...

Theoretically, you get the most power per unit of gasoline at peak volumetric efficiency, which is pretty well the same as peak torque. So, your ability to overcome drag is highest at peak torque, which means that depending on your engine speed and vehicle speed at a given level of drag, you might h...

Amsoil Full Synthetic 0w oil says you can change it somewhere around every 25,000 KM, I believe. But that you should change the filter more often than that... Then again, 5 litres of it here is about $60, so...

Yeah, I'm looking into some mods for the engine... 2AZ-FE? Anyone have any (cheapo) recommendations? I think the first real bucks I want to spend are for a nice remote start, since it's pretty chilly up here for at least a few more months. This requires a bypass from what I've been reading; 09 Vibes...

Hey everybody, thought I'd introduce myself. I just signed the papers on my new 09 Jet Black Metallic Pontiac Vibe FWD, 1SC with 5 spd auto, cargo, mp3, sunroof and pretty well every option except for the 7 speaker sound system... which won't be a problem when I put some Diamond Audio Hex speakers a...