Addicted and broke

[Unusanimus]

Soooo I'm pretty new to the whole forum browsing/car modding thing, considering my Matrix is the first new car I've ever purchased. Spent about a half an hour today browsing different forums and websites, chatted with some friends the other day about exhaust and intake, and I'm officially addicted, undereducated, and way too broke to mod my car.
BUT I NEED TO.

Anybody else have this situation?



And in related news, I'm trying to make my car more fuel efficient, while adding some power and maybe just a bit of growl to it. Does anybody know of any good air intake systems for a relatively low price, or of any other sorts of little enhancements that could get me that result?

[pancit175]

Word to the wise. If you've just got the bug now, it's never going to go away since you will never be done or ever be completely satisfied for very long. Turn away now if you know whats best for you! LOL

As far as intakes, at this point, there is only one manufacture that makes an intake expressly for the 2nd gen matrix, and that K&N. Although there may be other manufactures that may make an intake for the 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine also used in other vehicles. In fact, I have just recently ordered the Injen cold air intake that is made for the corollas, but appears to have similar placement in the engine compartment. I won't know until I get it in.
If you have the 1.8L engine check this thread

Another mod, besides intake and exhaust, that will improve performance and fuel efficiency is to replace the crank pulley with lighter weight or underdrive pulleys. I'll probably do that sometime.

I visit matrixowners.com more often since there is more traffic there for the matrix

[Dave-o]

for cheap mods, you can change the lights to led lights