Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Toyota Echo

15556586061115

Comments

  • aeroterremeraeroterremer Member Posts: 79
    gave the Echo a good rating(s). It made the top of the list in the 'small car' category. Not surprising for all us satisfied Echo owners.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I remember one thing I did not like about this rental Echo. The outside mirrors were too small, I thought. It was a little hard for me to look in the mirror to merge without bending down (I am 6'3). Also, the seats were a little uncomfortable as well, because my back was hurting after driving for only like 20 minutes. Other than that, it was a really nice, powerful, good handling car for the price.
  • babyboomerbabyboomer Member Posts: 205
    "Toyota has been angling for more of the youth market since its model-year 2001 introduction of the Echo, mid-engine MR2 and Celica. But despite an aggressive advertising campaign run under Toyota's Genesis group, the trio hasn't lit a fire."
  • wrgrahamwrgraham Member Posts: 112
    I followed slugline's picture and directions from Feb 14th, and it was a complete cinch to change the air filter. Not even a 5 minute job. Unscrew the clamp around the big hose and pull it off. Unsnap the two spring clamps on the front end of the airbox. Opens right up and just switch the clean filter for the old. The old one was looking dirty, so 45000 miles was more than enough.
    I suppose the fuel filter is the next item that could use replacement.
  • kaz6kaz6 Member Posts: 331
    I finally narrowed down the source of the noise coiming from the engine bay...it's around the area where the throttle cable is connected. The 'whistle'(sounds like a high pitched metallic sound) seems to be louder when it's colder and is only made when the throttle is at partly applied.
    I've only heard one other Echo that has made a similar sound but didn't have time to stop the driver to ask.
    Other news: the remote switch for my driving lights works fine and the added light is great for night desert driving!
  • luckykluckyk Member Posts: 11
    Haven't logged on in quite some time. However, I'm in the market for a high mpg, reliable, CR recommended car that is towable behind an RV without huge $$ modifications to the tranny or brakes. Using the dinghy towing guide from Motor Home magazine and the latest CR Auto Issue, one car fits the bill. Yep, the Echo. I really never imagined myself in one of these. But you all seem to have nothing but praise.

    The search feature on this site is great, but I can find nothing wrt RV dinghy towing and recommended cars. Does anyone have any experience towing an Echo behind a motorhome?
  • grnechory81grnechory81 Member Posts: 16
    hey yall! i just got my bodykit! ill give yall some pictures as soon as i get it on!
  • babyboomerbabyboomer Member Posts: 205
    My son answered: "Well dad, on eight dollars of gas it just keeps on rolling forever."
  • gaiffemgaiffem Member Posts: 11
    I believe there was a discussion of this issue a while ago, but can't find the thread. Perhaps one of you with a better memory may recall..?

    ISSUE: After driving about 4 hours with the a/c on in mid-80s(F) and high humidity, a/c looses efficiency and cooling ability. Fan also becomes quite loud. Problem initially occurred in summer of 2000 on a long trip. After insulating low pressure line, problem did not repeat until this week (also first long trip since summer 2000). Both times, after turning off the a/c for a half-hour or so, it worked fine thereafter for the couple of hours remaining of the driving day.

    Any help/suggestions would be much appreciated, since more trips are planned this summer. Thanks.
  • kaz6kaz6 Member Posts: 331
    Are you running it while in recirculate or fresh air mode? If it's on recirculate too long the condenser will freeze up. I don't know if humidity would affect it but with outside temp. in the '80's and the unit on fresh I don't know how it could freeze up.
  • echo01echo01 Member Posts: 19
    Your problem is in all likelihood ice forming on the condenser coils.

    The problem is that the a/c, in the process of cooling the air, causes the moisture in the air to condense out. If you have enough moisture in the air, you'll get ice on the coils, which makes the air conditioner work less efficiently since ice is such a poor conductor of heat.

    In effect, your a/c is also acting as a dehumidifier. So high humidity would definitely make the problem worse. Running it in fresh-air mode rather than recirculate-mode would normally help the situation, unless of course the outside humidity is itself so high that it's higher than the humidity inside the car.

    I think the only solution is to just cycle the a/c off periodically, while keeping the fan on. You need to let the ice melt.

    The problem might be less severe if the ambient temperature is higher, because then the air conditioner would have a difficult time getting cold enough to actually freeze the water.

    ......

    Interestingly, home dehumidifiers work this way; ice periodically builds up on the cooling coils, and the unit automatically turns off the compressor (i.e., the thing that's doing the cooling) and lets the fan run so as to melt the ice that's formed.
  • gaiffemgaiffem Member Posts: 11
    Thanks for the responses. I always run a/c in fresh air mode, and was therefore surprised at the icing problem. I think I'll see if the local Toyota dealership has any way to adjust the cycling rate on the system so as to allow a longer "off" period to minimize potential buildup of ice on the coils. Other than that, I'll have to take Echo01's suggestion to manually shut the system down periodically or (heaven forbid!!) actually stop and take a rest break every three or four hours :) Thanks again.
  • grnechory81grnechory81 Member Posts: 16
    hey just got my bodykit on, its not painted yet! but none the less its on! and i took a picture! =o) let me know what you think, if anyone else is interested i can tell you how to get it.


    http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraida/pb3f469f1ca1d18656167fec0e86126d7/fdd53d55.jpg.orig.jpg

  • grnechory81grnechory81 Member Posts: 16
    image
  • grnechory81grnechory81 Member Posts: 16
    image
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    Looks sharp
  • autonutsautonuts Member Posts: 138
    when are they coming out with an Echo wagon? And for those of you who are ready to say something, I know all about the Matrix. But does anyone know if this might happen with the Echo? Rumors??
  • banddexpressbanddexpress Member Posts: 63
    Been thinking about buying an echo but haven't yet. The dealership here in Topeka KS. wants full sticker price but that isn't surprissing they want full sticker price for everthing will probably go to KC in the next month to get one. There really isn't any used ones ever on the lot so that must be a good sign. We will drive about 18k a year and was wanting one for a second reliable vehicle. I was wondering if there was a common problem with reliability and do you think its worth getting an extended warranty since in just 2 years my warranty will expire.
  • revcounterrevcounter Member Posts: 3
    Dealers in the SF Bay Area don't appear to lift a finger to advertise this model. We walked in thinking we wanted a Corolla.

    We tested one of the last of the old-style Corrolas and found it cramped, clumsy, uncomfortable, and doing a really bad job of acting above its station as an economy car.
    The Echo's ride is not among the best, but the car's airy cabin and spartan trim speak of a cheeky efficiency redolent of the great French small cars. Why pretend?

    It's the first and only US version of this design theme, widely available in every other industrialized democracy. Egg-shaped bodies on skinny tires, with little engines (often diesel) can move a lot, for little fuel. Notice also this body style's very strong crash test performance.
    Old small car designs can't do this.

    Wayward handling in crosswinds is a fair trade for the car's great aerodynamics. I like the traction-A, temperature-A rated Bridgestone tires too. We like having a good radio and AC, without power windows.

    Modernity permeates the engine bay too. Toyota does not lead Honda in baby engine technology, but Echo's 1.5 liter variable valve timing motor still revs delinquently high. The cable-actuated shifter has a very short and accurate throw, overlooking its dead-fish handshake feel.

    Bang for the buck, it's a good car. State of the art sub-Civic sized cars were a lost art in America. Echo shows the way, until BMW brings in the Mini.
  • aeroterremeraeroterremer Member Posts: 79
    One month ago we bought a new 2002 Echo with auto trans, a/c, and pwr steering for $13,500. This was $1,000 higher than the price Edmund's had suggested for our location, very much sticker price. It seems the dealers really aren't negotiating on Echos.
    In regard to the extended warranty, from reading the other posts on this msg board, it seems like a waste of money. Consumer Reports 2002 Automotive issue (in newstands now) lists the Echo as a reliable car. From my prior experiences with Toyotas (I've owned 2: '79 Corolla & '89 Tercel), the cars were very reliable. However, it is an individual decision, and every make & model has lemons.
  • rdeschenerdeschene Member Posts: 331
    If you compare the cost of an extended warranty, or especially the price difference between a new car and a 1 year old used car with some warranty left, the amount you are spending on a warranty is really phenomenal. Among the single most expensive things that can happen to a car is needing to replace the transmission with a rebuilt unit.

    Compare that cost to the cost of warranty coverage, and you quickly realize how companies increase earnings by offering warranties - the odds are in their favour. It's not quite Casino de Hull, but it's going in that direction!
  • rdeschenerdeschene Member Posts: 331
    luckyh.

    Well, I haven't towed an Echo nor do I own one. However, I know our local trailer dealer quite well, and often found him to be a wealth of information. He's an owner/manager of the operation, not a salesman, and just a regular guy who knows his stuff.

    It might be worthwhile asking this kind of person's opinion - he might even be able to refer you to some local person who's doing this. He'd know who's car he put a front hitch on, right?
  • kneisl1kneisl1 Member Posts: 1,694
    Went on a long trip last weelend with my ECHO. Passed an accident site where drivers on my side of the road were rubbernecking at the wreck on the other side. Seems a Honda CRV went under a tractor trailer. It was removed from underneath and there were orange plastic sheets on the side of the vehicle. Oh oh I thought, there must be dead people still in there. Oh boy were they dead. As I pulled alongside you could see behind the plastic. Man and woman, man minus head. Woman mangled. Apparently the driver swerved at the last second to protect his wife because the passangers side of the roof was more or less intact.
    On that trip I went 414 miles before filling up with gas. It took 10.5 gallons to fill the tank (165 miles city driving, the rest on the hiway) When your gas gets that low a little gas pump icon comes up flashing to the right of the odo. Anybody else ever seen this icon?
  • babyboomerbabyboomer Member Posts: 205
    "Toyota does have an Achilles' heel: its aging customer base. The average age of Toyota drivers in the U.S. is 45 - the highest for any Japanese carmaker. The revamped Celica coupe and MR2 Spyder roadster did not sell well last year. The Echo (the first Toyota subcompact aimed at Generation Y and younger and a moderate hit in Japan, was a flop with young drivers in the US., who prefer the Ford Focus or any VW."

    Ouch, that last part hurts. The key words there are "young drivers."

    The article states that the Matrix or the Scion brand (to be launched in California next summer) could be the winner (get the young to buy them).

    The article ends by stating that the company has its roots in Japan, but Toyota's destiny is all-American.

    Maybe Toyota should consider marketing the Echo to that 45 year old customer base? Anyone know the average age of an Echo buyer?
  • mdrewmdrew Member Posts: 32
    Last year or so I saw an analysis of Echos purchased to date and I think the average age was 42; a lot of us in this group seem to be in the same range. You always hear about the Echo not selling much, but it seems like it was hardly advertised. Personally I'd much rather have a 'cult' car that isn't too common (and without the endless recalls of the "award winning" Ford Focus). My Seafoam Blue 4dr auto has been flawless for two years now and great to drive. (My brother who has a Lincoln Town Car couldn't believe the size of the Echo trunk.)
  • kaz6kaz6 Member Posts: 331
    I'm makin 40 this summer so I guess I fit too! Maybe it's because at our age we can see things for what they are and make sound decisions? :)
    I'm debating between upgrading to 15" steel or alloy wheels. The weight diff is negligible so the decision is more of a cosmetic one. Anyone get 15" wheels for their Echo? I priced out a set of alloys and 195/15 Bridgestones for $562...the steel set would be about $250 less.
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    won't be made anymore after next year according to a Toyota salesman I spoke to last week - I guess he meant model year 2003.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    Only 4 years of production? I say it won't need a replacement if Toyota could get a small sedan for Scion here by the time ECHO is out. If it does get pulled for 2004...don't expect a refreshment for 2003 which would be typical of a Toyota sedan, almost as tragic as the death of the Paseo after only 2 years of a new model which wasn't all that bad. Is this the shortest lived car ever, besides that terrible Vehicross?
  • janbeejanbee Member Posts: 127
    Im surprised if its true that they wont make any more after 2003,they seem to be a popular car where Im from..If thats the case would it be smarter to sell now or wait until production stops??
  • britton2britton2 Member Posts: 305
    of surprised too to hear this - I don't have an Echo, I have a '01 Corolla - but I do see alot of them where I live - but he's probably right because I read somewhere that total sales of the Echo in the US have been rather low -
  • larrykingrylarrykingry Member Posts: 15
    I purchased my silver Echo nine days ago, I just filled up and my gas economy was a little over 35 MPG, for mostly town driving. Thus far I have been pleased with it. It has four doors, a/c, p/s, cruise control, mats, side moldings and the extra mile option. It listed for $12,900. I paid $11,275. Invoice was $11,900. I believe that I received a fair deal from the dealer, but had to make several visits to the dealer over a two week period of time. I live in the Oklahoma City area.
  • sluglineslugline Member Posts: 391
    kneisl1: Yeah, I've seen it once. If a driver isn't noticing a low fuel gauge, why does Toyota think that this same driver will notice a little LCD icon? Common sense tells me that you need an attention-getting colored light for that purpose.

    The accident scene sounded gruesome -- a tragedy for the families involved. I wonder what the accident investigation will conclude about the cause of the accident.

    The Matrix seems to be a hit around Houston. I've seen several on the streets already. In contrast, it only seems only recently that the ECHO has been taken off my "rare sighting" list. While I'm sure that Toyota doesn't mind selling to the mature market (they tend to have money after all), I think that they are concerned about becoming what Buick or Lincoln was not too long ago -- a brand associated too much with a mature image.
  • janbeejanbee Member Posts: 127
    If I was to be in the market for another car (if the ECHO wasnt available) I would def look into the Matrix, but oddly I have yet to see one on the road, Im from a city of 350,000 so I find that quite strange. And to the discussion of the age group of ECHO owners, I was 25 (year and a half ago) when I purchased my ECHO and I love the styling more so than the Focus or Civic.
  • photoboyphotoboy Member Posts: 18
    I noticed the gas low icon the very first time it came on and every time since. It seems to give more than enough fair warning as I still have about 1 gallon or more left in the tank.
    It's a crying shame if the Echo goes the way of the Paseo. I love my Echo, but the vehicle wasn't marketed to my age group (53) and maybe it should have been. I have had several people ask about it, both young and old. I think Toyota needs to push its attributes such as easy entry and exit, huge trunk, great gas mileage, uniqueness (center dash, which, by the way, I find a great safety feature!) and maybe fix a couple of things like non-remote mirrors.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    Sorry I haven't been posting lately, but I am back to working twelve hour days and adding in eight hours for sleeping, I don't have a lot of free time anymore.

    I have over 32,000 miles on my 2001 Echo and he is still running great and still getting great fuel mileage numbers.

    This last part is great since gas is $1.32 a gallon around here and projected to go even higher soon.

    Hey Grn, do you know what happened to the Echo board over on Yahoo? I tried going there after an extended time away and Yahoo tells me there is no such club.

    Happy Echoing all.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    Hey don't you know, it is not a safety feature, but rather because Toyota wanted to save money on making left and right hand drives. This must be true because the editors of Edmunds says so. ; )

    I wonder how Edmunds is reacting to the new Saturn Ion which also has a center mounted instrument cluster.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    I think the idea the mirrors are not big enough might come from not adjusting them properly. When I first got my Echo I adjusted them like I always had been doing until I read an article in AMI Autoworld, I believe, and I saw that I was not adjusting them properly. There should be very little overlap between what you see in the inside rear view mirror and the outside mirrors. Try it and you will see the mirrors are big enough.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    The BMW Mini Cooper has it.....so you know that according to Edmunds, it must be a stylish effect.
  • geegee1958geegee1958 Member Posts: 29
    Majorthom,
    Apparently Yahoo recently changed their different "clubs" into "groups"- I don't remember the reason, but I had been a member of 2 clubs, one the echo club, and I also had difficulty accessing them, once they became groups.
    This past weekend, while doing laundry, some jerk keyed my Echo- big criss crosses on the hood, and a straight line down the driver's side and across the trunk. Guess I'll have to do some research on the repairs and maintenance board to see how to handle the scratches. The ones on the hood are the worst, because they are so "decorative" and are deep, down to black. I am especially annoyed since I am so careful to park far away from other cars, and walk the extra distance!
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    That really does suck about your car. I don't know what to tell you about fixing them, but I do know what will NOT work. I tried that GS-27 scratch remover stuff, as well as some other scratch remover stuff from the auto parts store (don't remember the name of it), and it did NOT work. The only thing that's going to cover really deep scratches will be touch-up paint from the dealer, or having the car repainted.
  • dsgechodsgecho Member Posts: 89
    3 things I noticed about echo mirrors when I had one:
    1. Compared to a Prius, [same general size and shape] the mirrors are slightly smaller. But that smaller difference is significant.
    2. The echo mirrors would sag or drop from their original adjustment over time. Readjustment and tightening the screws for this purpose helped a lot.
    3. The best thing that helped was placement of one of those $1-$2 convex mirrors in the outside corner on the driver's side and I think on the pasenger side also. This eliminated a dangerous blind spot and gave better overall visibility. Mirror problems went away basically after this.
    Hope that helps some.
    Don
    Nashville TN
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Did you get rid of your Echo or something? I thought you still had one?

    I had rented an Echo for one day, and I found the mirrors were too small for safe merging into traffic. I am used to my Jetta though, and its mirrors are pretty big and also blue tinted to reduce glare of headlights from behind. Although that was not a problem in the Echo, because I drove it during all daylight.
  • kaz6kaz6 Member Posts: 331
    I suppose it depends on wether or not you have the "remote" mirrors or the standard ones. The upgrade ones are large and rectangular and don't move once adjusted. They also fold in to avoid damage from impact.
    I have the rectangular convex lenses mounted on them as they afford a view across lanes and down to the rear tire. The round ones tend to give a fish-eye view that's hard to judge position. I got started using those when riding motorcycles and have never had to look back to compensate for blindspots.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    You want to talk small mirrors. You should rent a Ford Escort. That thing had really small outside mirrors.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I remember those small Escort mirrors, because that was one of the company cars I used to have,

    The mirrors were small (to me, anyway) on the rental Echo I had. And it did have the remote mirrors.
  • podmepodme Member Posts: 3
    You did very good with that price ($11275).
    But what is your total price with fees & taxes (TTL) ?
    With the options that you've given, shouldn't the invoice should be $12237 ?
    With the $1000 off instant rebate savings, it'll be $11237 ?
  • larrykingrylarrykingry Member Posts: 15
    The MSRP for the four door, manual, A/C, P/S, mats, side molding, cruise was $12,900. Part of that price was a regional option called the extra mile opt. It retailed at $475 - dealer cost $241. The dealer's invoice was $11,900. I paid $11,275. I may not have listed all of the options on my first post. Here in Oklahoma, tags are purchased after the fact. The tag will cost about $80. The sales tax is about 4% or $500. In this area, I wasn't aware of the $1000 off instant rebate. Is the rebate off retail or invoice? I checked and didn't find it available in this area. If I missed something, I would like to be enlightened. Anyway, thanks for the response.
  • generalpfgeneralpf Member Posts: 1
    I'm the proud owner of a 4-door silver 2000 Toyota Echo. We did a lot of highway driving, and we're almost at the 60,000 km (37,5000 mile) point at which our "bumper-to-bumper" warranty runs out. We're trying to decide if the extended warranty is worth it.

    Has anyone had any mechanical failures with the 2000 Echo; if you have, was it standard/automatic, and how many miles were on it?

    Thanks,
    Ryan
  • kaz6kaz6 Member Posts: 331
    I finally went and ordered 15" rims and tires for my Echo. I will be getting 15x 6.5 rims w/ Yokohama yk420 205/50r-15's. The Yokohama's are supposed to have a 60k warranty.
    I'll let you all know how the mpg and handling are once they're on.
    Regarding extended warranties...I think overall it's a waste of money as at 37k miles, if something was defective it sure would've made itself known by now. Unless the warranty covers items needing replacement due to wear and tear I would pass. I spent $1700 on my last car's extended warranty but it covered the a/c compressor for wear and tear as well as the cooling system.
    Maybe the Echo's mirrors seem small due to the large greenhouse...they are about the same as all other Toyota cars in size.
    Isn't it great that the only thing we're talking about now is the size of the mirrors as opposed to recalls and defects? :D
  • podmepodme Member Posts: 3
    Sorry Larrykingry, but you still have not totaled up your total price (w/ tax, fees, etc.).
    What I mean is your "total on paper" with taxes and fees. What is it ?
    Are you saying that your total is
    $11275
    + 50
    + 500
    -------
    $11825 (your total w/ tax & fees ?)

    A typical Echo at the invoice of $12237 (or $11237 w/ $1000 cash rebate applied) should come with the following options (4dr, 5spd):
    - Air Conditioning
    - All Weather Guard Package
    - Auto Idling Control
    - Quarter Stone Protector
    - Radiator Cover
    - Sports Body Cladding
    - Power Steering

    I didn't know that Echos come with cruise ?
    I checked and they don't have it as an option.
    Is yours the 2003 Echo ?
    Yes, there was a $1000 instant cash rebate on 2002 Echos about a month or two ago on top of the negotiated invoice price.
    I think that with the MSPR price that you've listed as $11900, is with the $1000 cash rebate applied.

    With gas mileage : I'm currently getting an average of 44 MPG (80% city & 20% highway). I'd notice that by adding a "gas treatment" bottle to a full tank of gas has increased my MPG by an extra 4 MPG.
    I've just changed the oil and oil filter myself (two days ago) and it I may get higher than 44 MPG (probably a couple extra MPG above 44 MPG).
    I will post it in the next few days.
Sign In or Register to comment.