Toyota Echo

gtek084

Just bought a 4dr. auto ECHO for my wife. Car is great but noticed that the AC just isn't getting cold enough even after driving the car around for awhile. I do live in a warm and humid area but thought the demo ECHO we drove was a lot colder. Anyone out there with the same problem?

helenatroy

Hi--
I'm looking into the Echo for my next and first brand new *car* purchase and after about 7 other cars this seems to be heading to the top of my list. I guess I am wondering if any one is having problems with any of the options that they choose. I read gtek084's statement and am wondering if maybe I should leave A/C alone for now (though I'll miss it during the 90F weather) and go more for the power steering.

So far at looking at the packages, I am looking into the rear spoiler, possible A/C, cassette deck (since it appears the Echo only comes with a radio) and I think that's it. I'm kind of worried about price and I don't know how much it will really be on a lot somewhere but I don't have power steering on my 11 year old truck so I figure if the A/C thing is one in twenty or something then I reckon I don't think I'd miss power steering. What are your thoughts?

As many of you have, I've also been looking into the sea foam blue color--I do wish they had some more elaborate colors though...

one more question. I read a while back that you can have black trim on your car. Is that a standard option or another package deal?

thanks.

levine90

I drive the Electric Green coupe version of the Echo (that sounds so much classier than 2 door and have a few suggestions. Definately go for the A/C, it's common enough that you'll have no problem finding it. The rear spoiler is a waste of money if you've got the option. I don't have power steering and after about a 3 or 4 day break-in period I barely noticed. Just can't grind the tires (which is a good thing!) Don't know much about the trim, but from my observations of Echos that I have seen up close as well as driving around town, you definately want to go with a darker color. I've had this thought for awhile and some people have confirmed it: with the possible exception of silver, the Echo looks way, way better in a darker color (green, dark blue, black, red). This is from the view of a younger kid, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Cassette deck? I got the CD player and it sounds _very_ nice. Although I guess if you're not into CD's the tape deck would sound just as good

Also (and this is another personal thing) I find the plastic crap tacked on to the bottoms of some Echos to be pretty annoying and very ugly. It's like a totally different car without it, and (again, opinion) it looks a lot better that way.

Hope that helped,
Peter

kaz6

Gtek084: I recently went to Vegas and the temp was around 100!! My a/c worked very well...BUT I also insulated the a/c line in the engine bay. I too felt that the a/c was weak-didn't get ice cold even in 80 degree weather! What a difference a little bit of insulation makes!
Just a quick recap so you don't have to look for the original post:
*bought rubber pipe insualtion at building supply store with a 1/2" space.
*bought radiator tape from auto supply store-original post used tar tape but I couldn't find any.
Find the fatter of the two pipes in the engine bay-the one you want to wrap is the one the is shaped like an "S" as it comes out of the firewall. It also has a valve on it so it's easy to recognize. If you are still unsure just run the a/c and feel for the cold one.
The insulation I bought has adhesive on the open end so I just fit it over the pipe and sealed the open side.
I then wrapped the entire length with radiator repair tape. Any tape that can take high temperatures is fine.
Good luck!

ckdk82

I would like to add just a single deck cd player to my existing factory radio/cassette player.
I do not want to pay $300+ for a factory unit, and I do not want to take up space in the trunk with a 6 disc add on. Anyone have a solution?
Thanks.

vocus

You could always get a portable CD player with the cigarette lighter adapter. Or replace the stereo at your local electronics store for like $100 or so. Toyota also offers a 3-disc in-dash changer, but I am sure that's about the same price (or more) than the single player.

gtek084

Thanks for the tip Kaz6.
Is this a problem Toyota is aware of?

kaz6

I can't imagine Toyota not being aware of it but I suppose when you are marketing a car as a price leader, some things don't make the cut.

cliffy1

I have not posted to this topic in quite some time, but that will change. I have not had a chance to scroll back through the recent posts, but I'll try to jump back in to the discussion. I just wanted to say hello for now.

thoover

I have been off here a few days because I couldn't bear it. My blue Echo is crunched - I helped cull the deer population. It is still drivable but the right headlight is good for spotting birds.

rvdmerwe, we found the hood protector HD20100S you gave me the tip on and ordered it. It was 59.10 from a place called Conicelli (in-state for me). That includes tax and shipping. Is that a good or a bad price?

We also got Toyota mudguards for the green Echo from toyotaparts.com that came to 68.30 with shipping (no tax on that one). That is less than I paid the last time by about 6 dollars.

helenatroy

Thoover...What happened? Were you alone when it happened? How did the car hold up through it? How fast were you going?

Around my area deer are very...populated and that is a constant fear. ESP on those 55 mile an hour roads.

Levine90...I actually have a portable CD player. I figure that since I already have one of those that all I need is a cassette deck. I figure that also, more can go wrong with a CD player (I.E. I hit a deer also (I'm so sorry Thoover) and it gets out of whack--like it did for my boyfriends car. It never worked the same again. thank you for your insight. I appreciate it. I like to hear all sorts of advise--it doesn't matter how old you are. I have yet to go to the Toyota lot but it very well could be I agree with you about the colors. I guess we'll see. I haven't seen many Echo's around here at all. I don't have power steering on my truck, I guess I just thought that it seemed more imparitive on a car. Thats another choice I'll have to look into more closely.

sonatafan

How many people who have had problems with A/C that's not cold enough have taken their Echo's back to the dealership for it?

I just got back from my local Toyota dealer and they found that the A/C was actually OVERFILLED. The tech evacuated and refilled the system and it is now 15° cooler.

The thing that got my attention is that the service advisor mentioned that mine was not the first Echo they received with this problem and the others were found to be overfilled as well!

On the drive home, I enjoyed a very cold A/C system and am glad I took it in before I decided to wrap the pipes as detailed in previous posts in this forum.

thoover

helenatroy, (nice handle) We were driving at night and just clipped the rear of one of several deer running full tilt across the road. I try to be so careful - I hit one other deer, 13 years ago with a brand new Corolla on the first morning I had it!

The total on the estimate is about 1200.00 to fix the blue Echo. The hood and the right fender, and the right headlight assembly will be replaced with new parts and pretty much everything else is labor. I think the bumper is rolled back a bit, but the adjuster didn't agree.

I think the bumpers on the mid-80s Toyotas were better than the Echo bumper. Even worse, look at the back of a Rav4 sometime - there is no real bumper at all, just a strip of plastic on the bottom of the hatch to fool your eyes. Our 85 Tercel wagon was banged in the parking lot one time so hard that it flew up in the air and bounced part way out of the spot, with 0 damage. I think Toyota has lost the focus (as has the rest of the industry) on decent bumpers.

All in all the Echo did fine I guess, but my heart is broken...

kneisl1

Can anyone say what a thermometer placed in the vent of a properly functioning air conditioned car would read? Sounds like a check is in order because my ECHO too seems a little tooo hot with the ac on.

cwo4

I too had an AC problem from day one. After many hours of continuous use my AC would freeze up, literally. There would be ice in the vents and air flow was blocked. The dealer first replenished the refrigerant. Didn't work. They then took it apart and replaced the expansion valve and dryer box. No problems since. And, the only problem I've ever had as I approach 37,000 miles. I'm wondering if this is the weak link in an otherwise outstanding car?

sfecho

My A/C temperature is 42 Deg F with the fan on
low, the car moving, and outside temp in the 70's.
On a hot day (in the 90's) it rises to 45 Deg.
I have not insulated the tube/hose from the
compressor.

vocus

I think the proper temp. is suppose to be 38 degrees in any car. I remember hearing that somewhere, though it may not be correct.

spiehler

Once I decided on an Echo (instead of a Focus), I first intended to go nearly bare-bones: Nothing but A/C, rear defroster, and the 3-in-1 radio/CD/cassette. THEN I decided I wanted intermittent wipers (available only in Package 1). A sales dude said "all" they Echos he gets have the All Weather package which is fine since I live in Ohio and sometimes have nasty winters. Then, since the only thing in Package 2 that I don't want is the power door locks, I figured I'd go for Package 2 on the grounds that Toyota is probably making a lot of them that way and it would be easier to find one.

I think my interested in 5-speed, 4-door, seafoam blue is making my choice tough to find.

sonatafan

The dealership used a thermometer that extended about 5 inches into the vent. Mine was only cooling to about 55°F and after it was serviced went down to 40°F. These temps were taken with the air control all the way counter-clockwise (dash vents) and blower fan on med-high at engine idle. Also it was in recirc mode as well.

sfecho

The thermometer I used went about 6 inches into the vent. I have checked many cars over the years with the same thermometer and they are always about 42 Deg. I think they limit the temperature to keep frost out of the blower.

levine90

When I first received my Echo, the A/C wasn't cooling at all. I took it to a dealer, and after a long visit they found out that the compressor wire was somehow disconnected. Been fine since.

I've noticed that my A/C is also not so cool from where I sit, but if I stick my hand next to the vent it's very cold! My metal watch on my right hand, right next to the vent, will become extremely cold to the touch after exposure to the air for only 30 seconds. It feels kind of weird.

If I were to "wrap my lines", and I didn't want to do it myself, who would I take the car to in order to get it done? Will the oil changer place do it? Dealer?

Cheers,
levine

kaz6

while I haven't brought my car in to check the a/c(it's cooling fine) I can say that one of the reasons it may feel like it's not(re:levine90)is that the roof is so high and there's lot's of glass. I'll wait to see what other's say regarding servicing. Mine is a 2001...Kneisl, let me know what your dealer says.

kneisl1

Just checked my AC system myself with a thermometer per the instructions of others on this list today. I got 44 degrees, so that seems to be about right. One thing I was doing wrong was to have the system running on fresh air instead of recirc. I think thats the reason why it wasnt feeling too cool in there.

majorthomecho

Hey Cliffy,

Welcome back.

cliffy1

I'll try to keep up.

janbee

Just had one put on this afternoon. My friend knows someone who is a mechanic at a toyota dealership so he got me a deflector and installed it (which took 3 min) for $50 CDN..looks pretty good, it hides pretty well since my car is black...I had 2 small chips on the hood beside the toyota emblem so Im hoping no more chips and its supposed to keep your windshield cleaner!!

cliffy1

I'm not a big fan of these. They will keep chips off the hood, but many of them make extra wind noise and sometimes reduce your fule economy.

krakato

So good to have you back Cliffy -- where are all the other old timers (Kristi4, etc.)? Probably too busy to post but still lurking, like I am.

Update . . . Coming up on my 1-year anniversary with my 4-door automatic. It's doing great and I absolutely love this car! It's starting to get HOT here in Tucson (hit the 100s early this year) but my AC is doing ok.

cliffy1

I think Kristi was due to have her baby last month. That might have something to do with it.

I moved dealerships back in November and was too busy to keep up with all the posts here.

babyboomer

Had a phone call about two weeks ago from a friend asking all about my Echo.
I let that family test drive my Echo. They purchased their own Echo yesterday.
Makes a warm fuzzie in my heart when others see the reasons why I have an Echo
and then go purchase same.

levine90

I was washing my mom's 99 Camry this afternoon and took it for a spin to air-dry it after toweling it dry, and man! The Echo really spoils you! I was so perplexed when I was standing next to the door and I could see all the way over the thing. I kept thinking that for some reason the Camry was smaller than the Echo... even moreso when I got in to drive. The door was so tiny! My head hit the roof! Everything seemed so miniature... quite a strange feeling, especially when you consider that's a subcompact-driver's take on a midsize car.

Cheers,
levine

kaz6

I know what you mean! Whenever I have to get into my mom's Maxima it's like viewing everything in a convex mirror. It's not cramped but everything feels like it's too small!

thoover

True, the ECHO does spoil you for other cars. When we wanted to replace the Corolla, we thought it too goofy to buy two of the same model cars. We test drove and shopped around for weeks, but in the end we decided that anything else would just not satisfy us. So we ended up with two ECHOs.

Our blue ECHO (automatic) has about 15000 miles on it now. We have tracked every gallon of gas. I have plotted the MPG, and the seasonal trend is very strong, with the MPG going down in the winter. This ECHO makes mostly short trips.

Overall MPG:
36.0 (14449 miles, 401.356 gallons)

Lowest 5 tank average (winter):
31.5

Highest 5 tank average (summer):
39.7

Using 5 tank windows smooths out the somewhat variable "full tank" pretty well.

On the issue of the hood deflector and possible decreases in MPG, I am thinking we should be able to quantify this, as we are just now adding the hood deflector. If I can detect a difference, I will post my results here!

majorthomecho

Just wondering if anyone has suggestions for keeping the car clean. Most of what I have tried have become "the cure is worse than the disease."

I tried this orange colored sponge which flaked off and left little bits of orange material all over the dash.

I have since bought those new Armor All cleaning wipes and they leave little white strings over the dash.

I have also tried the glass wipes and they leave lint on the glass.

I really want to maintain the interior of the car and am find it hard. Your suggestions welcome.

majorthomecho

Wondering if anyone knows of a sun shield that will fit the Echo. I have one but it is a jumbo size which is too big and leaves gaps. The standard size is too small. There has to be a happy medium.

Honestly, do these things even work as well as they say? Wouldn't it be cheaper just to cut a piece of heavy cardboard to fit?

janbee

I bought mine at walmart, it is actually 2 pieces, so you can overlap them and make them any size..mine is a hawaiian print which really looks fun on the echo..it is not cardboard material more of a vinyl and you twist them into a circle to put them away...I think its made by a company called axius??

kaz6

I too bought mine at WalMart; they come as a set of two pieces, rectangular in shape. It is actually for minivans and pick-ups but the shape allows it to completely fill in the windshield area. In the middle, they are held up by the mirror and the sun visors keep the ends up. Mine is the plain silver with black backing(have black face out during snow months) I also have a sun-cutter screen on the backlight. It really helps in keeping the interior cool and from fading. It also keeps annoying glare from headlights down.
As far as the interior goes I use that stuff in the bright green bottle...'2001'? It works well on the dash and such and makes the cladding look great as well.

echovolcanist

I have a heat shield for my echo cut especially for the echo check out there website heatshield.com
Also went i went for a oil change
at my dealer noticed that they carrie the heat shield as well

mbohun

Does anyone use a front end mask on their Echo?
What are the pro's and con's for its use? Does it trap dirt and cause the miss-match to paint color with time? Can you remove it easily?

I know this is an out-of-season question... however has anyone experienced any problems with deicing the front windshield during the winter months with he Echo? The Tercel always had problems in this area... hard to get the entire windshield blown with air... noticed the Echo's windshield vent is smaller than the width of the windshield... any problems or comments you know of?

Thanks for your help... Mike

amaranth

Hello to all the Echo-ists out there!

My Echo has still been treating me well, and her first tank of gas pulled 42 MPG in mixed city & highway driving.

RE: seating position -- my problem isn't so much with the seat per se, but the angle that I have to keep my right foot at while driving on the highway has been making my foot tired. Has anyone experienced this problem (with the Echo or another car) or have any suggestions to solve it? I didn't mind not having cruise on my last car, but if my foot is going to hurt I may have to look into one.

I was down in Ithaca last weekend and saw another silver Echo almost exactly like mine, except an auto and no body cladding. Remembering that at least one other person on this forum had a left a note on another's Echo, I decided to follow suit. I referred them to this forum, so maybe we'll see a new face soon!

Spiehler -- good luck finding the Echo that you want! Mine is a 5-speed, 4-door w/ AC, 3-in-1, and package #1, and I had a heck of time finding one. (I didn't realize they were scarce and waited over the weekend to find out about the crash test statistics and by then, the only one in town was gone!) My dealer was going to trade for one, but then that dealer sold it out from under us. Then we thought we were going to have to order from the factory, but then another dealer managed to find one in Indiana that was headed for a nearby dealer, and snagged it. Even then, it took about a month for it to actually get here (Rochester, NY). If you're not interested in the power locks, let them know -- I actually found more available w/ the AC and 3-in-1 than with package #2. If you're set on the blue, though, it may be awhile -- there was one black and white ones available in the state, which I didn't want, and I ended up with silver (still a pretty common color). As a result of the scarcity of 5-speed 4-doors, I probably didn't get the best deal, but it was still plenty cheaper than a civic.

Sorry for the long post -- I've been out for a while!

echolalia

Has anyone had this problem from his or her ECHO? Mine has 22,500 miles and at about 22,300 miles I started to hear this kind a loud hissing sound. My brother and mother also have noticed this strange new sound when they were riding with me. It is pretty bother some and it sound like it come from the air filter housing (I expected that there is an air leak somewhere). Whenever I stepped on the gas I hear this hissing sound. I can hear it slightly at idle also.
This morning I brought the car to the local Toyota dealer. One of the mechanic popped up the hood and listened to the noise. He said that it is the normal swirling of the air passing through the air filter housing and he said that may be because I did not notice it from the beginning until now and there is no problem whatsoever. Heck no ...I request to have another opinion from the main service manager who happened to call in sick today. I will update you with more info when I bring the ECHO back next week on may day off.
Please inform if you have a similar problem. Thanx.

cliffy1

I haven't heard that one before. If the service manager can't help you, take it to another dealership. Some people don't do this and jump right into getting the district Toyota people involved. Once this happens, you can't take it elsewhere and have it covered under warranty for the same issue. Get a second opinion from another store before taking this to the next level. Who knows, you might find a better service department in the process as well.

editorialwe

I just bought my 2001 Echo this past Saturday and have already put almost 200 miles on it. I love it! I got the electric green, 4 door, auto, not too many options but it did come with the package #1 and a few other odds and ends.

I did my homework in advance, got what I think is a good price, and didn't have to haggle because I got an emailed quote in advance from the dealer. Reasonably positive experience at the dealer, except waiting a LONG TIME for the finance guy and then having to endure his spiel about how if I didn't buy the alarm system, gang members would hide in my trunk and jump out at me. Puhleeeeze.

I have not read through this whole topic, but I do note that others had trouble finding ABS. Well, the salesman told me point blank that they "don't make them with ABS" any more. Could this possibly be true? I am in the Los Angeles area if that makes any difference. If it turns out I was lied to, I shall be very upset. I didn't have my heart completely set on ABS but I was looking for a model that included it.

Other than that little problem, I love my new Echo and had great fun showing it off to co-workers today. I took three tall co-workers around the block at lunchtime and they were amazed at how much leg room they had. After we got back to the parking lot, they were admiring the size of the trunk and decided that two of them needed to jump in there. They fit just fine (and were able to find the emergency latch to let themselves out.) I guess I need to watch out for TWO gang members hiding in my trunk.

cliffy1

First, I love the user name.

Next, your dealership bent the truth but didn't outright lie either. ABS is technically available. Toyota just isn't sending any with it. You would have to factory order it which takes months.

thoover

amaranth, I noticed the same thing at first. When I figured out to move the seat forward, I was comfortable, but on trips I noticed my right ankle getting tired. In time I built up my ECHO ankle muscle as it doesn't bother me any more!

I got mudguards put on the green ECHO today, but the hood protector got folded in UPS - *snap* - so that will have to wait...

Someone asked if you drill holes to mount the mudguards. The front set needs no drilling, the back ones require 3 holes 1/16" dia. It is easy drilling into plastic, not metal.

mpgman

Anyone hear or read anything? Digital dash like overseas with a tach? Arm rest? Cruise? Thanks.

jhall7

I am giving serious thought to a 2001 black two door, auto with air, #1 upgrade and 3 in 1 . This Echo has 1785 miles and is in excellent condition.

Could anyone help with a few of questions;

1.)Is $12,500 a fair price?

2.)Does anyone know if aftermarket cruise can be installed?

3.)Are warranties transferable and what are the conditions?

Thanks,
Jack

kneisl1

$12500 seems a pretty reasonable price for the car, but theres probably one cheaper somewhere which will become readily apparant the second you shell out $12.5k. Many people have installed aftermarket CC. Check previous posts. Im pretty sure warranties are transferable, but check with Toyota. Good luck!

dfwecho

Hello,
I've had my Echo for 13 months and 32K miles - I am very satisfied with this car. This past year has seen the Echo packed for interstate Holiday travel, and for long camping trips. In all cases, I've been surprised how much gear and stuff this car will handle. 4 adult passengers ride in comfort. Combined mileage hovers around 37 MPG.
Stop and go traffic with the A/C on, the car is a tad sluggish - That's about the worst thing I can say. I think I will wrap the A/C line based on what I've read here. This car turns heads, and many people express interest in it. Even people who criticize it's looks admit it is surprisingly spacious. I like the car better now than when I bought it.
4 door, Electric green with cladding, Auto, dealer installed cruise, and limousine tint. Sorry for the length, I am a Big Echo fan. If you see me in the Metroplex, honk and wave! Take Care...

blue_echo

I bought a package of "Pledge grab-it Mitts" and keep a few in a ziplock bag under the seat. They're like those things you use for dry mopping the floor, but the mitten is very easy to put on and get the dust out of all the nooks and crannies. It's a new car, and I don't think it really needs any serious washing yet, so the dust magnet things do a good job of keeping it clean.