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I'm averaging 35 mpg in stop and go commuting.
I was hearing a strange noise from the direction of the right front wheel well, especially in left turns. I was worried that I might be having to make a warranty claim. I had a friend steer the car in the parking lot and from the outside it sounded like it was coming from the tire. My wife suggested I have the tires rotated, so I did. The noise is gone. I guess it's important to have that done regularly, but I'm so bad about it (my car has 17,000 miles on it, first time tire rotation). It seems especially important on cars (like the ECHO) with small narrow tires. Anyway, lesson learned.
I hope everyone is as pleased with the ECHO as I am.
Let's see. That gives you KC folks only 2 months to get your Echo club organized. Since you (Steve) seem to enjoy the casinos, maybe that's a good place to hold the first "meetin".
By the way, I just had a look at your profile. What a cool photo ! Who says the Echo is JUST an economy car ? Even bike racers drive 'em.
Anyway, in my case, I believe they're going to offer me the Demo Gray echo for the same price as I order from the factory, because we have signed the deal, the amount is written in the contract.
In case you don't know, I have to special order my Seafoam Blue Echo from the factory. I called the dealer, but this time, instead of talking to the sale lady, I talked to the manager. The manager is the one who place the order for me. I asked the manager to check with the computer, and he returned and told me that it takes 60 days. I asked him if this is a garuanteed time and he said no, but he promised he will check it in a weekly basis and if there is any change he will inform me. 60 days is not that bad compare with what I was first told (120 days!).
So, echoluvrst, 60 days sound reasonable... I guess. I'm expecting to get my Echo at the end of Jan 2001(give them 90 days).
I wish I can have the remote key lock feature as well, but I don't know how much it cost. Also, does anyone know how much it cost to add the security feature, like alarm etc? A friend of my just got his 6 speakers and cd car stereo system, two weeks later the whole thing was gone becuase someone broke into his car and stole everything.... this sound very scary (he is not driving an Echo by the way). He is not living in my area but it would be great to have some sort of security system, it's my first new car and I don't want bad thing to happen to him!!!
As for the snow tires, no I don't have any personal experience with use of special snow tires for the ECHO. We get maybe one or two snowstorms a year in Virginia and they usually don't amount to much in the way of accumulation. I found the regular tires to be more than adequate in the one good storm we had last year. Canada might be a different story though
The unit was sensitive to both door and hood openings because it monitored the +12V line and detected the slightest "glitch" on that line caused by anything electrical coming on in the vehicle including any courtesy lamps like the interior lamp or the under hood lamp.
It was also sensitive to any mechanical vibration on the vehicle. I guess it has one or more accelerometers inside. You could adjust it's sensitivity by using the wireless remote to program it. I found it very easy to use and it worked really . IE no false alarms etc.
But I think the 2 best features were;
1) a little flashing red LED you could mount under the dash to show that it was armed, and
2) 2 little 1"x1" understated black labels that I put on each of the rear side windows which said something like "Security System Protected".
I think that these last 2 items which form the psychological protection, are the most useful because the deter theft prior to any breakin attempt, rather than after the attempt. The problem with the "after the fact" sirens, horns, and flashing lights is that they only come into play after the thief has committed himself to the theft. And by that time, they generally proceed to complete the theft, or at least do a lot of damage trying.
I hope this helps,
Danny
article on high efficiency hybrid-fuel vehicles:
Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, Volkswagon Golf/Jetta
(diesel) . . . and our ECHO!! Pretty classy
company! The Echo got a good review and a
"Recommended" checkmark. Don't have the issue with me so I can't quote from it, but I will later on if nobody else does.
I'll look forward to more information from the Consumer Reports. Thanks for telling us about it.
I thought that before I finalise the deal, let me check up the recommendations of Other people as well. So I just hooked on to this site. Got some good and bad responses. well, the website says that echo doesn't have any side airbags, and No Anti lock braking system shipped in at this time. I just wanted to know if anybody is having some experience of driving ECHO in the snow/cold countries. And how was the experience? Are the brakes reliable enough? The details of safety measures and crash test etc is alright, but why take chances. I just wanted a car with safe and reliable braking system.
1> I mean is the AntiLock Braking system absolutely necessary for the ECHO in cold countries. I am staying in North of Massachussets.
2> Somebody was mentioning about the crosswinds. And does it get difficult to handle the ECHO during cross winds.
3> Also somebody said that it creates a rumbling sound at high speeds. Speeds above 80-90 mph. Is that true. I am gonna go for the two door coupe because of its sportier looks and economical prices.
LET ME KNOW IF MY INSTINCTS ARE RIGHT.
HELP ME PLEASE !!
I drove the Echo in a 30 mile an hour crosswind and had no problems.
Regarding the noise when the Echo is driven around 80 to 90 miles an hour. That sound is not coming from the Echo. It is coming from the cop car behind the Echo. : )
I live in a cold climate (Winnipeg) but I only purchased my Echo in May so I haven't given it the real test yet. So far, so good. I am really enjoying the electric heater that comes on before the engine warms up because I don't have or want an energy wasting car warmer or "Command Start" like most sissies up here use, but like most others I am a little impatient about waiting for heat to clear the windows in the morning. So far it hasn't gone much below freezing here, but the electric pre-heater and the rear window defogger clear the windows in a few minutes.This happens noticeably faster than on any other car I've driven, and I've driven a few....
I chose not to buy antilock brakes because we get a lot of ice here in the winter, and my wife and I are the main drivers. We've both driven on ice for over 30 years. The thing is, I've read that an experienced driver in some situations can actually stop faster on ice and maintain better control with conventional brakes as long as they don't panic and lock up the wheels.
About cross winds ,I have put about 7000 miles on it so far, about half of it on the "bald prairies" . No problem so far. My 1984 and 1988 Toyota vans were worse in cross winds and they weighed at least 1000 lbs. more.
"Dear Daniel,
The off topic posts have been removed. Thanks for taking the time to notify us"
Thank you for taking care of the off topic posts.
In my opinion ABS is a very usefull feature.
I've driven on ice and snow too.
In the panic situations ABS can be a life saving feature. No matter how experienced you are, it takes a lot of skill to keep a car under control in those conditions.
I have purchased tires from the Tire Rack for 15 years with great results, and have recommeded them to many friends and customers over those years.
Seems strange to be talking about snow tires when it was 50 degrees today and is supposed to be in the low 60's tomorrow here in Syracuse. ;-)
Any way I got a full set of blizzacks right away, and it made the MR2 handle like a normal car on ice and snow. It still wasn't great because that car had so much mass in the tail end with it's mid-engine that it always wanted to flip around in a skid like an arrow, with the heavy end first. The Blizzacks made it manageable.
What about studs? These went out of fashion years ago here because they used to chew up the roads, but I heard that the Europeans have solved that problem by blunting the ends of the studs or something like that? Anyone out there with recent experience ?
http://www.cars.com/carsapp/national/?rvid=32784&srv=review&act=search&tf=%2Freviews_results.tmpl&mkid=47&mdid=4468&yr=2000&GetReview=Go
I have heard ECHO has a chain driven camshaft instead of the customary belt. Good for ECHO. Belt driven camshafts in invasive head engines can break resulting in engine dammage. This usually (but not always) occurs in cars past warranty, which effectivly shortens the life of the car because who is going to put a new engine in an old car?
The car was very impressive to drive, it felt like a much larger car on the road. The car is totally cute and has that Toyota build quality. I hanv't felt so good about a new car since my last new (old) Beetle in 1974. The car is definately a winner.
Having said that, the visibility is definately blocked to the left and right by the thick windshield pillars. The offset speedo is going to give some people problems...I hope no one gets distracted enough to have an accident before they get used to it. I mention this because my wife takes quite a while to get used to any car other than the one she is currantly driving, and there must be other people like this.
What a great little car. We need more like this!
Paul Kneisl
Visibility was definately blocked to the left and right by the windshield pillars. I was really wondering what was going on behind them as I drove along.
I agree with you on all points. After having driven my Echo for 6 months now, I can reassure you on a couple of points.
1) The front pillars definitely do block one's vision, particularly on tight turns. I have learned to move my head sideways when checking for others cars to compensate. It's automatic now so it's no big deal, but I did get a couple of surprises during my first month. You might want to pass this on to your wife as a preventative measure. Toyota have a kind of a sales training brochure that explains how the body is built to withstand crashes. The heavy front pillars are an integral part of this and are designed to transfer a large part of frontal impacts away from the occupants. So I see the sideways head movement as a small price to pay for this kind of forethought about my protection.
2)About the offset speedo. Very few reviewers seem to understand what Toyota has done here. They all seem to focus on the minor cost saving of having one instrument panel for left and right drive vehicles. This to me is a very minor point.
The main advantage of it, is what Toyota describe as a reduced angle of deflection required in eye movement when checking speed while driving. I think that this description must have lost a lot in the translation from the Japanese. You see, I am a driver of your vintage. My first (new)car was a '70 mini. What I've found is that my eyes don't focus as quickly as they used to. Consequently the large distance from my eyes to the speedo in the Echo makes it much easier to "acquire" the speed then get my eyes back on the road. in addition, the bright white background means my eyes don't have to adjust to a dimly lit speedo in bright sunlight. In my last vehicle, a Ford, I couldn't even see the speedo with my sunglasses on in bright sunlight. These two effects are equally if not more important than the reduced angle of deflection required. I think those Toyota engineers really did their homework on this one.
Let me know if your experiences are consistent with mine or not. Maybe my objectivity is overwhelmed by my enthusiasm for the car......
TOYOTA ECHO
28 mpg city, 46 mpg highway, 38 mpg overall
Tested: 4-door, 5-speed manual
Highs: Good acceleration, roomy interior, easy access, interior storage.
Lows: Spartan interior look; a model with ABS can be hard to find.
As a small commuter car, the Echo has much to recommend it. With its high roof and efficient interior packaging, it provides more interior room than some larger cars. Drivers sit high, making the car feel a little like a micro-minivan. The lowest price of the group and good fuel economy help keep costs low.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The Echo's ride is compliant enough but jostles at times, particularly on the highway. A full load settles it down some. Wind and engine noise permeate the cabin at higher speeds. Pronounced body roll in corners feels disconcerting at first, but the car hangs on well and a driver soon realizes that the handling is actually quite good. The Echo negotiated our avoidance maneuver reasonably well.
Though hardly a fire-breather, the 1.5-liter Four was the quickest of this group, and we averaged 38 mpg on regular fuel. We estimate the range on one tank of fuel at almost 500 miles. The five-speed manual shifts satisfactorily but has long throws. Braking performance was very good overall, although the car veered a bit to one side on our wet divided-pavement test, even equipped with ABS.
INSIDE THE CAR
The roomy cockpit should allow practically anyone to get comfortable behind the controls. The rather rudimentary front seats are comfortable enough though the cushion is flat, and there's no height or lower-back adjustment, but all drivers found a good driving position. The rear seat is adequate for two adults but too narrow for three.
The cabin lacks some of the amenities of the other cars, but offers numerous cubbies and bins. There's a sizable drawer under the passenger seat, map pockets in the front doors, and pouches behind the front seats. The center console offers a small tray and two cup holders for the front, one for the rear. The driver's side has a covered but non-illuminated Vanity mirror.
As in the Prius, the Echo's instrument panel is located in the center of the dash, but the small markings can be hard to read. The speedometer is positioned close to the windshield, requiring a rightward glance to see your speed Most controls are intuitive, though the central door-lock switch and manual side-mirror controls are a bit hard to reach.
The climate-control system offers plenty of heated or cooled air, but you have to fiddle with the dash vents to get everything adjusted right.
The trunk holds up to four suitcases and an overnight case or a wheelchair, with room to spare. You can enlarge the trunk space by folding one or both halves of the rear seatback. A compact spare stores beneath the trunk floor. Trunk access is partly hampered by a very short, 7-inch front-to-rear opening. And the trunk-lid hinges can crush cargo packed beneath them.
SAFETY AND RELIABILITY
Safety gear includes dual front air bags and five sets of lap and shoulder belts. The front belts have adjustable upper anchors, pretensioners and force-limiters. Rear shoulder belts may tug uncomfortably on the shoulder of some passengers. Left and right . seats have adjustable head restraints that remain sufficiently tall to be effective even when lowered. The ABS package included daytime running lights, although models with this package can be hard to find
Crash tests have yet to be performed. Bumper basher damage estimates are $572 in front, $762 in rear.
Driving with kids: Most child seats cinch securely with no problem.
First-year reliability has been better than average. Our car had two minor sample defects.
HEAD ROOM Thanks to the Echo's tall roof, it's easy to get in and out of the car.
RECOMMENDATIONS (for all 4 vehicles reviewed in the article)
The Volkswagen Golf TDI may not be the first internal-combustion car to average more than 40 mpg, but it's certainly the best to date in overall capability . The Golf TDI is a solidly built vehicle that rides well and has a quiet, roomy, and comfortable interior. Handling and braking are sound. And it has a hatchback's versatility . (If you prefer a trunk, the Jetta TDI should provide the same inviting characteristics and excellent fuel economy as the Golf) Although acceleration comes up a bit short, most drivers will find it sufficient. The diesel engine makes for relatively dirty tailpipe emissions, if not nearly as dirty as emissions from larger truck diesels. Also, some may find filling the tank unpleasant because diesel fuel has a strong oily odor. We expect the reliability to be average based on other models.
The Toyota Prius was the second HEV to come to the U.S. but the first that can seriously compete with conventional cars. It rides comfortably and quietly, and has a roomy rear seat and decent acceleration. Handling is average, the trunk is small, and, because of the car's regenerative braking system, the brakes are a little too sensitive and hard to modulate. Still, the Prius is a worthy contender and a legitimate choice for everyday use. Reliability is as yet unknown.
The Toyota Echo shows that conventionally powered cars can achieve good fuel economy while still delivering reasonable performance. Our Echo's 38 mpg was the best of any conventional car we've tested recently. Acceleration is fairly sprightly, access is easy, and the rear seat is relatively roomy. Handling is sound, and the ride is reasonably quiet and comfortable, On the down side, the interior is spartan, and models with ABS can be very hard to find Reliability, has been better than average.
The Honda Insight achieved the best fuel economy of any car we've tested, 51 mpg overall. But you pay for that in lack of accommodations, comfort and drivability . The Insight's ride is barely tolerable and the car is very noisy. Although acceleration is reasonable against the clock, in everyday driving the car requires a lot of shifting and it can take a bit of effort to keep up with other vehicles on the highway. Handling is secure on smooth roads. We did not have sufficient data in our recent survey to predict its reliability
[The article also contains comparison charts, an overall ratings table and a box with CR's graphical rating system for the ECHO's Ratings & Test results in the categories of: performance, comfort, convenience, reliability, acceleration, braking from 60 mph, and fuel economy. The Echo got "Very Good" on all features with the exception of "Excellent" on the climate control system, and "Good" on: emergency handling, ride, with no cargo, rear-seat comfort, and trunk.]
I can still sell cars long distance. On a car like the ECHO, it wont save you enough money to be economicly wise but I can do it.
By the way, if a Martian landed TODAY in a Martian Echopod and said "TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER ! " What would you do ?
, got a quote from their "ACCESS" program then had to proceed to the dealers (5 of them) to get a real trade-in price on my Ford. I finally bought my Echo from a showroom floor salesman. The initial quotes just help me to zero-in on the best deal. I went back to each of the dealers a few times to make sure they would'nt move. The written quote guys did give me a sense of trust I didn't get with the arm wavers.
As a second thing -- are ABS 4 doors hard to come by?
I went and saw a Honda dealership today -- the new Civic feels really small inside. I kept knocking my knee and really had to crank the seat way back. I'm going to see the Echo (again) this weekend. Got a call back from the same dealer I already went to in person, regarding an Autobytel purchase request I put in. What is the protocol regarding the first salesman I saw (in person) versus the salesperson who handles the dealer's Internet purchasing? My guess is just to tell the Internet salesperson and let them settle it, but I don't want to give her any reason to jack up the price unnecessarily.
Thanks to all.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/mmy.cfm
and enter Toyota Echo 2000
it's only for vehicles manufactured Aug 99 - Mar 2000 and the recall is limited to certain states.
-Dianne
On another topic. I have really been impressed with the height of the car for entry into the seat and for getting things out of the trunk.
1> Air conditioning.
2> Automatic Transmission.
3> ABS.
4> Power Steering.
5> Power Brakes.
6> Anti theft alarm system.
7> Side air bags.
What would it cost me as the whole ?? I mean how much do I have to pay for it ??
I would appreciate an early response, because I am dying to lay my hands on an ECHO. I am just in love with this car.
Some of the dealers, I visited informed me that right now the ECHOs available in the market are not shipped with the ABS and the side airpillows.
So, if you can suggest any dealer providing me these facilities, I would be very thankful to you.
Cheerz,
Mario.
Paul
If I remember correctly, the discussions were earlier in echo7, but may go back to echo6 as well.
About the showroom etiquette;
I don't know if this is correct, or not, but it's what I do and it allows me to get in an out quickly, with a clear conscience. Remember that none of this amounts to anything until you actually close a deal, so you don't need to sweat it too much if you're going to several dealers.
Whenever I talk to anyone I ask them for their card. Then if I go back there, I ask if that person is available. Usually they're busy or not there. If so, I go to the receptionist and ask if anyone else can help me. They usually know who the jerks are, and will direct you to the most civilized salesperson. You can even tell them the kind of salesperson you want. It's amazing how much inside help you can get from a receptionist if you empower them this way.
When I talk to salesperson #2, or #3, I get their cards as well. Then when it comes time to close the deal, it's usually with a "business person" anyway, and not the salesman, so you can pull out whatever cards you feel reflect the help that you got and tell them. "this person gave me the most help etc...." If there was more than one, all the dealers have their own internal rules for splitting commissions.
I hope this helps.
After 6 months with my Echo I'm still excited about it too ! I'm happy for you.
-Di
I don't know what kind of response an Echopod Martian should get to the take-me-to-your-leader question after "Indecision 2000" !!!! What times we live in!
Handholding question -- how important are ABS and side airbags? I know it's a pretty small car, and city traffic is cluttered and merciless. There are way too many giant SUVs here (like Brooklyn has mountains).
I am looking into buying a new Toyota Echo in Alberta, Canada.
This is my first new car purchase.
I am looking into buying a two-door, 2001 Echo with package B (Color-keyed Bumpers, Door handles, Intermittent Wipers, Manual Remote Control Mirrors, AM/FM/ CD), also has Air Conditioning, Rear Spoiler, tinted windows and Mag Wheels (Potenza 14" Progrezive - RE910 P19330R15).
They quoted a price of $17,760 Canadian. Can you tell me the TMV for this specific car in Canadian dollars? If not then can tell me than where can I get that information?
They also said that you can't get ABS with this car, I have read that you can. I wonder if this is only in Canada?
Any advice would be great.
Thanks.
Perhaps Cliffy1 or Dianne4Toyota can shed some light on whether or not the guidelines for ToyotaCanada are the same for ToyotaUSA in terms of financing.