failed_ethics

Don't trust the stock alarm. Think about it, when you hear an alarm going off do you think it's someone stealing stuff? No, you think, "Dammit, someone needs to turn that thing off."

It doesn't scare thieves as much as you think. Alarm should come first regardless of what you have, it makes you feel so much better.

Signed,

The guy who lives in a virtually crime free environment who had his system stolen.

theappe

Nevermind. I found it at the FAQs

BigBaby

I have about a grand too and i'm thinking...

tires & rims (17")
front strut bar (scionfx)
lowering springs
intake (injen short ram) OR bazooka base tube

mods that i'll get when i get a nice chunk of change:
exhaust
overhead DVD system

other mods that i'll get as i can, out of pocket:
floormats
bB badges (front & back)
blue leds (internal)
weathertech deflectors

mods already completed:
alarm w/remote starter (it's cold in the 'chi') & pager
boomerang armrest

Rion

I would skip the short ram, unless you want to suck up hotter air than the stock intake pulls in from behind the bumper and have less horsepower for some reason. The whole point of a CAI is to reduce restriction and intake cooler air.

Short rams suck boiling hot air from right above the engine. They are worthless. Try a real Injen CAI or AEM.

goodnght21

tires and rims

OKIHost

Personally I would try and do a drop, tint and some decent maybe used 17's first and just do the small stuff as time goes on.

Usually when I get a new car I am in the same boat as you have pick either rims or a system first, Usually I go with rims and something else like a drop or tint and save another 1k for a system AND AND ALARM, I would suggest getting an alarm before you get a system. I know its $200-300 but its well worth protecting your investment.

hotbox05

Actually 90% of all the intakes for scions suck air from behind the bumper short ram or cold air, there is virtually no difference on scions.

goodnght21

now that i think about it rims and tail lights, i hate the way the stock ones look

wedgiesaurus

what about spending $1000 to replace the stock roof with a clear one?

mynameisphunk

H&R cup kit $636 at tirerack
BFGoodrich G-force sport tires in 205/55 15 - $284 at tirerack
approx $30 shipping
$50 to mount and balance tires

exactly $1000. still slow, but with the money spent where it matters to me.

HawkWolf

I'd put as much of it as I needed down towards a killer stereo (I'm not talking competition, since I want to rock, not roll my car over when subs kick)....

then put the rest on whatever suspension thing will best make my car handle michigan roads.

It's not a scion thing. sure it rides kind of jumpy, but it's a small car with stiff junk. My previa rode bad, my dad's sienna doesn't take it that well... our roads suck. might as well put some money on making them better.