I've always had good luck with Stant thermostats. Never had one fail prematurely. But yeah, OEM is always a safe bet if you can find one at a reasonable price. The Matrix one should work, they're practically twins.

Nice work on keeping up with the updates on your Pontiac Vibe! It’s always interesting to see how cars hold up over the years, especially when people share the practical details like maintenance and performance. I’ll definitely check out your new video—it’s cool to see consistency in content like th...

Engine mounts can cause creaking, especially under load like turning. It's less common than CV axles, but definitely possible. Replacing engine mounts isn't super hard, but it's definitely a job that requires some mechanical aptitude and the right tools.

I get it. My '67 Mustang is my retirement project (though it's already an antique!). Keeping a car that long is a commitment, but totally worth it if you love it.

Yeah, bleeding the clutch is step one. If that doesn't fix it, check your clutch cable adjustment – it might be too tight. There's usually a way to loosen it slightly at the transmission end or the pedal end (depending on your car).

Try using a long, flexible magnet to retrieve the socket. If that doesn't work, and it's really rolling around freely, you might have to remove some underbody panels to get to it. The growling fan is probably unrelated, but keep an eye on it.

I’ve got a high-mileage road trip coming up, so I’m looking for a good place to stay along the way.