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Comments
Given this, both spare keys should unlock and operate everything.
Still, I have the split fold seat so if they really wanted something in my trunk, they could take it.
About wheelcovers/hubcaps, I don't know why manufacturers insist with these plastic add ons since they are easy to disfigure, easily stolen. Why can't they just have painted wheels with a smaller cover in the centre, or at least give us the option.
I have taken off the original hub caps, put them aside for trade-in time and then bought some el chepo look alikes that means it doesn't matter if you bump into a kerb.
I think I will also put cruise control into the new Echo as well.
By the way has anyone put in a wood trim kit into an Echo, does it look stupid?
Can you (theoretically) get an Echo with all three upgrade packages and the all weather package? Carsdirect.com let me configure an Echo that way, but the Toyota site would not.
An answer from Cliffy would be greatly appreciated.
Catherine Heins is looking for people to interview who have switched from American to Japanese cars in the past few years-- especially folks who wouldn't have given a Toyota or Honda the time of day in the 1970s.
She's a business reporter at the Yomiuri Shimbun, which is the biggest daily paper in Japan with a circulation of 14 million. They are writing a feature story about Japanese automakers' continuing success in expanding production in the U.S. and snatching market share from the Big Three even on their former home turf of light trucks.
If you fit this description and are willing to be interviewed, please call her directly at 212-582-5827 or e-mail her at catheins@yahoo.com. As always, you can contact me at jfallon@edmunds.com if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
Thanks
Little downers like this remind me not to hold things too dear, and that the real good is yet to come! (1 Corinthians 2:9)
So, if anything, a knock sensor retarding your ignition timing allows you to use a lower octane, and usually less expensive fuel, in a car where higher octane fuels are recommended.
If you really want to spend extra money on higher octane fuel, please feel free to mail me cash whenever you want to. Heck, I'll even donate that cash (good exchange rate on U.S.$ right now) to a local charity for the tax-deduction, thus allowing you to achieve more with you gas budget than you otherwise would! ;-)
I think that Toyota markets it to the younger generation as a basic car yet different age groups, even ones that can afford more expensive cars, are seeing the Echo as a wise choice.
responses already so I am not doing any more
interviews, but thanks very much for replying!"
I do see that the Bridgestones are wearing quickly compared to Michelin MXV4's. As soon as they wear out I'm switching to 15" rims and Michelin XGT's!
The comment posted earlier is so true. I chose my Echo for the overall intelligence in design at reasonable price. I also considered the VW Golf and Ford Focus.
The only weak spots are a slight hop from the rear over bumps and poor cornering grip at the limit. The latter is due to cheapo tires more than anything else.
As far as power; off the line and mountain climbing are the only two occassions I have wanted more.
My mpg has risen to an average of 35 in the city!!
Love this car!
Are you getting wider or higher? Are the Michelin XGT's your choice by design or simply preference?
I would also appreciate you sharing what type of synthetic oil that you chose and why. I believe that I will convert to synthetic as well. I use Castrol GPS synthetic in my bike. Do you feel this would be a good choice for the Echo?
I am considering the Ziebart noise barrier undercoating. I feel this, plus new tires can only enhance the quality of the ride.
Cruise control has been installed. Like Mbohun, I am waiting on Toyotaguys for my bug shield. JC Whitney had the window shields for $35.00.
I am using gas of 89 octane. Do you feel this is adequate?
I now have 2641 miles on the Echo, absolutely no problems. Averaging about 38 mpg.
I know I have asked a lot of questions, however, your opinions would be helpful and greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jack
I have been touting what I feel happens to be the superiority of the Echo. I have also been partaking of the debate on whether or not the Koreans are better car makers than the Japanese. I am of the opinion that they are not.
In all these discussions, I rely on the results of surveys by J.D. Powers and Auto Pacific. When it comes to discussing the Echo versus another car, I pull out resources like Consumer Guide, Consumer Reports, Motor Trend, plus Car And Driver. The last two for performance questions. I also go on-line to the NHTSA site and the Insurance Institute site.
I do not make comments about the looks of whatever the other car is, but the discussion ends up the same way. The other poster(s) make(s) derogatory comments about the looks of the Echo.
I guess their thinking is, "if you can't beat them, insult them." : )
*I use only Mobil 1 synthetic. There was a very extensive real world test that Consumer Reports performed and while they showed no significant difference between synthetics and regular oil they DID find that the only synthetic to provide added protection in extreme conditions to be Mobil 1. It is also the OEM oil for Porsches. I ran the last bike I owned, a Suzuki 1100, on Mobil 1 and when I had an engine tear down the mechanic could not find any wear or deposits in the cylinder walls.
By extreme conditions, I think that I encounter those in the summer. I drive to Vegas monthly and when you're running at 80mph at 110 weather for a 4 hour stretch I think that would qualify.
As for using higher octane gasoline...yes it is money that may be going to waste. If I'm driving above 1000ft though, I do use premium. I also have anecdotal experience with my motorcycles. I always used premium and the tailpipes were very clean at the outlet. Other bikes that ran on regular had very dirty outlets. Same experience with my cars and trucks.
When I lived in Vegas, I always used 89 or higher because of the altitude. Here in Los Angeles, I can use 87 with no noticable difference.
As far as the wheel/tire combo...15" more for the looks as 14" with higher profile tire would provide better ride. I chose Michelin as a candidate because they are high quality and last a long time. They are $$$ but you pay for what you get. My last car had MXV4+Energy put on at 40,000mi. They rode very well and provided great grip-ran them at 100mph in Baja, Mexico. The downside of 15" wheel/tire is stiffer ride and more wind resistance at speed. I do want the added dry grip they provide. Make sure if you do go the 15" route that you get a tire with good wet grip as the wider the tire the more chance of hydroplaning-esp. with the Echo's light weight.
IMHO, I feel that undercoating is something you put on only when the car hasn't been driven yet. Unless the undercarriage is immaculately cleaned, you run the risk of sealing in corrosive debris and will do more harm than good.
Good luck with your Echo! I miss my motorcycles but the funny thing is that my car gets better mileage than any of the bikes I've owned!
and when the bridgestones wear out i am going to use yokohama aspec db as they give excellent ride and quiet!
All issues discussed made good sense. In particular, undercoating the vehicle and trapping in corrosion. It was the opinion on a previous post that steam cleaning was necessary prior to undercoating. This would remove all debris. However, once corrosion starts, which to a small degree it has already,(car is 6 months old), does undercoating retard the process by allowing minimal oxygen or increase the process by entrapment?
Another subtly that was of great interest to me concerned the thought that to widen tires created increased hydro planing. Common sense, but I had overlooked it in consideration of a better ride. In my area, water on the roads have contributed to a substantial amount of accidents. Weight of the Echo in relation to tires needs to be seriously considered.
If not 89 octane what does Toyota suggest as an octane rating for the Echo?
I will give this, and all other topics consideration.
Thanks again for the help.
Jack
More specifically, I have noticed the most negativity concerning the Echo coming from appearance. Even Edmund's review stated that the Echo, being a Toyota would most likely be of the highest quality and dependability.
It went on, however, to malign the vehicle because of looks and went further to say, in effect, "would you want your friends and relatives to see you in this Disney Land type car?"
Personal, if my friends or relatives judge me by superficial nature or appearance I've got a problem anyway. It is somewhat a sign of the times that looks and prestige takes presedence over value and reliability.
Including Edmunds, I have yet to see a substantiated post or hear a comment stating the Echo is not a dependable vehicle. As you, (majorthomecho), have stated, everyone provides appearance and options cost as an argument.
Cost is in direct relationship to reliability. As one previous post states, regardless of what you pay, if the vehicle proves itself efficient and reliable by reaching or exceeding an expected period of time, value has resulted.
Personally, I made my decision based on the facts. It was just my good fortune to like the looks of the Echo, regardless of what others think. The quality, design, efficiency and drive ability verses cost were the real motivating factors impacting my decision to purchase this vehicle.
I could have found a less expensive vehicle in the class, but would it have given me the long term value of the Echo? Research and investigation say no.
In summation; I am in full agreement with your observations. It has come down to looks verses quality and value. This is a "no brainer" to me
The above is simply my opinion.
Thanks,
Jack
those who dare to be diferent often stand out from the rest, and i'm sure ECHO owners around the world take pride in it's unique asthetics! to each his own!! contradictions! that's my ECHO.
I'm driving up to Malaysia this weekend and will post my findings of how my car has done on the Malaysian highway and how it travels on the long ride up the Malaysian east coast.
But style is your own. And maybe your style is sometimes fashionable, or never. But no matter, it is your own.
The results will be interesting when viewing future statistics stating long term reliability and which vehicles are still "on the road."
Jack
I just filled up tonight. It took me 9.703 gallons to fill up and I had 408.8 miles on the trip odometer.
This works out to slightly over 42 miles per gallon. I have a 2001 four door Echo with the manual transmission. The miles were a mixture of city and highway with heavy (almost constant) use of the air conditioning.
Over 7500 miles on the Echo and still loving it like it was the day I bought it.
*as posted before, I am able to haul 5 people total(incl. me)with ease and they always comment on how comfortable the interior is.
*an elderly woman there found the car to be adorable and loved the ease of entry.
*I averaged 38mpg(going 80mph most of the time)
I love this car!!!
MajorThom I agree that Japanese cars are better than Korean cars, although I have never owned a Korean car. I gave them a good looking over and I might have boughten one because we dont make small cars here in the US, but the ECHO was much much better IMHO. I am thankfull that my ECHO is made in Japan and not in the USA also. Its just another added benefit of buying an ECHO. But that doesnt mean Korean cars will not function as a car. They will and for some people they are a good choice, although Im very suspicious of the ten year "Warranty" (Yugos had 10 year warranty too!) If you can afford it, get an ECHO not a Daewoo. But Im hoping to hear stories about Korean cars with 200,000 miles on them and no major problems. And another thing: when one critiques a car one is also critiquing the owner: its like to old Ford vs Chevy arguments at school. Sometimes people just need something to argue over. I think thats why we get nasty comments about the ECHOs looks. Remember these people are not being rational, unlike us.
Anyone who wants to see both of my cars check out my website: http://members.nbci.com/sonatafan
By the way, 35,000 miles and still happy as a clam with my Echo!!
As of my writing this, it has not been done so I wrote them again using the method where they promise a response.
I must admit that I was not very nice and told them that the statement they had was knowingly false and might be considered grounds for a libel suit.
I will let you know how they respond.
If that is true, it makes my dealership look even greedier for suggesting an oil change at 3.5k.
I hereby claim post #1700.