GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So, about a month and a half ago I bought a 2003 base model Vibe that had 250k miles on it. Being just a "silly girl" , I brought my ex with me to check the car out, and with the most cursory of look-overs, he recommended I buy it. Two weeks ago, I'm driving on the freeway and there's a huge rattling sound, a POP, and like magic, fire appears on the underside of the engine...
Apparently, it threw a rod (?) and I need to replace the engine..
Long story short - I have about $600 to replace the engine (this is using free labor, courtesy of the ex, whose mechanical abilities I don't readily trust so much anymore, but... lol).
What's my best option around Sac? I know that a Corolla 1ZZ FE engine is a suitable replacement, right? And thankfully, Corollas are plentiful at wrecking yards.. But if I don't get it fixed right the first time, I'm screwed.. Can anyone offer some advice?

Thanks in advance!

I'm not really up on much to do with the 1st gen (2003-2008) Vibes since I have a 2nd gen (2009-2010), but I do recommend searching on car-part.com. This will be much easier than calling and / or going to junkyards to find the engine you need. Best of luck with your search and subsequent installation !

@vibenvy: Thanks for the tip! Doing a search for a 2003 Vibe engine returns very little, but from what I've read on here, a search for a 2003 Corolla engine will work, correct? I did that and came up with an engine for sale at a local shop - the description reads "1.8L, VIN R 5TH DIG 1ZZFE ENG W/VVT" which is the correct engine? The miles listed is "1", grade "A", and the price is $850.00. Good deal?
Thanks again!

Toyota Matrix base and XR as well, from 2003-2008.