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

Toyota Echo

14849515354115

Comments

  • sandman46sandman46 Member Posts: 1,798
    How can we get a Toyota Corolla Owners club going? Please let me know as I would be interested in this. Thank you very much.

    Sandman46
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    Go the Corolla board, Pat mentioned if anyone wanted one there.
  • babyboomerbabyboomer Member Posts: 205
    I am an Echo owner but confused as to where I should post a message.

    Consumer Reports Buying Guide for 2002 arrived today. The 2000 Echo reliability history (on page 210) shows the best on engine, cooling, fuel, ignition, transmission, electrical, ac, suspension, brakes, exhaust and body rust. Paint/trim, integrity, and hardware received a much better than average. Echo received a "better than average" overall reliabililty, the best rating they give. But we drivers knew that already.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    Baby, if it is a general post like yours, the best place would be right here. If it is a post where you introduce yourself, the thread said up for that would be more appropriate. If it is about what you paid, etc. should be posted in the appropriate thread.
  • kaz6kaz6 Member Posts: 331
    After gouging both front wheelcovers I decided to replace them. I was going to get some at a national auto parts chain-$39.99 for set of 4.
    I went to Target and found some that looked even better for 18.99!!!
    Just finished a 642 mile trip...average mpg: 36.7
    I know it's not stellar but considering I was going 70-80mph up steep mountain grades most of the time I think it's pretty good! My old ZX-2 never got more than 28mpg on the same route.
  • blue_echoblue_echo Member Posts: 24
    I tend to eat while driving, and have a peanut butter and jelly stain on the seat. Any suggestions as to the best cleaner? I don't want to make it any worse.
  • wordpixwordpix Member Posts: 3
    I've been reading conflicting reports on the snow/ice question and their relation to Echo's high profile and tiny tires. Please help. I live in the New England snow belt but don't want an SUV because of the low mpg.

    Also, where do I go on the web to see the new Corolla style coming out, and when is it, February?

    Thanks.
  • kneisl1kneisl1 Member Posts: 1,694
    My experience here in NJ with the ECHO in winter driving is that its a little twitchy with the standard 1956514 Potenzas that came with the car. The car seems to float across the snow, rather than dig down in it like my old VW bug used to. But narrower snow tires might make the car handle much better. Without them, I wouldnt rate the car very high for serious snow belt driving. But then again, you might get used to it.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    Kneisl1, 195/65R14 is NOT the standard size. 175/65R14 IS the standard size. This according to both the 2000 and 2001 Echo brochures that I have.

    I would suggest you get to the dealer immediately because who knows what having the wrong size does to your speedometer. I am pretty sure it will cause it to be off, but who knows how much.

    Also, I think you will see better travel in snow with the proper tires.
  • janbeejanbee Member Posts: 127
    I am in Ontario, Canada and I know what snow is all about and I find that compared to the civic I used to drive that the ECHO handles better in the snow. The civic and ECHO are really the only 2 cars that I have experienced (and the civic had ABS whereas my ECHO does not) with in winter driving so who knows that the ECHO is like compared to a larger vehicle but last winter I never once slid out of control or felt uncomfortable at the wheel at any time.
  • babyboomerbabyboomer Member Posts: 205
    I'm a good old boy from south Georgia USA. What is this foreign stuff yall call "snow"?

    Happy Gobble Gobble Day!
  • wordpixwordpix Member Posts: 3
    re: thinking of buying Echo. Thanks for info re: snow/ice. My further research on Edmunds shows that, at least for 2000-'01 Echo, crosswinds and highway driving are reported problems. What's the consensus out there?
  • kaz6kaz6 Member Posts: 331
    Regarding crosswinds: I just drove back from Vegas going 85-90mph in silky silence. There was a wind blowing around 15mph...I saw more than one suv being blown around.
    The Echo is not unlike any other high profile vehicle in being affected by crosswinds and no worse. Size is not the issue as I had a 4x4 extended cab pickup that gone blown about pretty good!
    I think the Echo's cd is around .29? It's one of the quietest cars at speed of any size!
  • mccallrmccallr Member Posts: 19
    I've only had my 2001 Echo 5-speed for 5 fill-ups and I'm curious if my mileage is about normal. My first tank I got 43.1 MPG. Second tank was 41, third tank was 37, 4th tank was 41, and 5th tank was also 41 MPG. Out of each 200 miles driven, about 50 are highway and 150 are city miles.

    I didn't drive over 60 miles per hour until I had 1000 miles (which I just barely went over). Will my mileage increase with time? Or stay the same?
    Just curious as I am very happy with 40+. I shift at 10mph, 20mph, 30mph, and into 5th gear at 40-45mph. I also coast a lot in neutral when I'm a block from a red light or slowing down. Thanks for any feedback you might have.
  • jeproxjeprox Member Posts: 466
    just a link about regular or premium unleaded. found it interesting and useful.

    http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2001/november/200111_feature_gasoline.xml


    coasting in neutral may help a bit in saving gas but it's not a good idea. in case of emergency and u need a quick get-away, may be too late for you to shift. i only coast when i'm slowing down, not when i'm a block away or something like that.


    just my $0.02

  • kneisl1kneisl1 Member Posts: 1,694
    Completely concur with kaz6 about ECHO being one of the quietest cars around. Amazing for a small car. mccallr your mileage sounds completely typical to what Ive expoerienced in my car. My mileage was the same at 200 miles as it is now at 7.5k miles. Incidently, you can drive a new ECHO up to 4k rpm during breakin which translates to at least 70-75 mph. I had mine going 106 before 1000 miles.
  • lleroilleroi Member Posts: 112
    of cruising along the interstate and seeing an Echo shoot by at 106 mph?My first thought would be that a carnival must be nearby and a bumper car was flung from it's track.
  • kneisl1kneisl1 Member Posts: 1,694
    A few posts ago I mistakenly said my ECHO came with 1956514 tires! Well I was wrong! They ARE 1756514 tires! I just looked. Sorry to be the source of misinformation.
    I accelerated to 106 because a Saab in the left hand lane of the NJTK was going 65 and we others were doing 75. He refused to leave the left lane, but when passed on the right he speeded up. This happened a few times until I just decided to pass and put my foot on the flor and leave it there. I think he put his foot on the floor too because I was thinking, "Man this is a good way to get a ticket. I must be doing 85!" I took my eyes off the road long enuf to see 106 on the speedometer. The Saab backed off. For 106 it was very smooth and quiet.
  • lleroilleroi Member Posts: 112
    What an image!The New Jersey Turnpike must be like Carnival in Rio.Did you maintain the 40 mpg fuel efficiency?When you looked to the center of your dash to see the speedo did you notice the fear in your passengers eyes.I think maybe the wind noise was drowned out by the passengers screams.What a great commercial that scene would make for Taco Bell.
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    The trolls are here for Thanksgiving!
  • lleroilleroi Member Posts: 112
  • mpearlmpearl Member Posts: 7
    The Goodyear Integritys that are OEM on my 2001 2DR will need to be replaced around 20,000 Mi. if I'm lucky. Has anyone had a good experience with replacement tires on their Echo?
  • cwo4cwo4 Member Posts: 90
    I put Dunlop D60 A2's on my 2000 ECHO after 30K on the OEM Bridgestone Portenza's. Dunlop is holding up better than the Brodgestone, IMHO.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    My thought on Edmunds is that they are not unbiased. I would take what they say about ANY car with a grain of salt.

    I have a 2001 Echo. Do I feel the wind as I drive? Yes. Do I feel as I am in danger? No.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    The shift points to use to maximize fuel economy are listed in one of the books that comes with your Toyota. I do not remember most of them right off hand, but I do remember that you should shift from 1st to 2nd at around 15mph.

    And as far as coasting in neutral when you are a block away from the stoplight or stop sign. CUT IT OUT! As the other poster said, what you are doing is dangerous.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    What are you doing to your tires that you need to replace them now? I have the same tires on mine and my car has about 18,000 miles on it. Tires still have a lot of tread left. I think the Goodyears are supposed to last fifty thousand miles.
  • sfechosfecho Member Posts: 26
    A friend is considering the purchase of an Echo.
    The dealer is trying to sell them a "new" 2001
    model. I told my friend the dealer should offer a discount on the 2001. Can anyone guess what a reasonable discount would be?
  • kneisl1kneisl1 Member Posts: 1,694
    YOU tell them what you want to pay, demonstrate your sincerity to buy the car, and walk out if they dont go for it. Make sure they have your telephone number. My local Toyota dealer is advertising a 2002 ECHO with manual trans, ps, 3 in 1 radio for $10998
  • lleroilleroi Member Posts: 112
    "How can that be"?,you ask.According to a very reliable source(the major),used Echi(?)sell for more then new ones.Although this 2001 is new they may be planning to tittle it,thereby increasing it's value.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    At the risk of feeding the troll, let me respond to that.

    If you check out, the Kelly Blue Book for July to December 2001, you will see that the retail price for a 2000 Echo in excellent condition is higher than the MSRP when the car was new.

    Also, I have seen a couple of examples locally that confirmed this.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    How many miles does the 2001 have on it and what is the build date?

    If there are very few miles on the vehicle and the build date is within six months, I am not sure your friend should expect any discount on that basis.
  • lleroilleroi Member Posts: 112
  • sfechosfecho Member Posts: 26
    As I mentioned, the 2001 is "new" that is never sold to a customer and has less than 50 miles.
    If both cars have a $14,000 MSRP, does anyone know what the discount should be for a car that is simply a year older in model year?
  • lleroilleroi Member Posts: 112
    resale and a new one is sold at less then MSRP,I would think in the neighborhood of $11,000 would be fair.I am assuming this is a fairly optioned out car.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    There is a thread in the Smart Shopper section entitled Real World Trade In Values. I would post your question there. You are likely to get a definitive answer.

    Be sure to post all the pertinent information about the car including mileage, color, and location.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I am trying to pick a low-priced car that's good on gas for my dad to drive. I will use the car sometimes to commute in as well. I want it to be reliable, comfortable, and also well built. Sounds like my total choice would be the Echo, right? Well, yes and no.

    I wonder if I can get the seat track for the driver's seat moved back an inch or so? If I could, the car would be perfect.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    Well, with enough money, anything is theoretically possible. ; )
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    If money was not an object, you think I would be shopping an Echo???
  • wrgrahamwrgraham Member Posts: 112
    In a recent message you indicated shift points at 10, 20, 30, 40-45. They may work fine for good gas mileage. And they may be no problem for the engine if you come down very softly on the accelerator after the shift. But really you are working the engine at revs lower than what is best for it. You want to keep the engine up into the range where the torque provided is in the realm of efficient operation. Otherwise you are being unfriendly to your Echo. The torque reaches its band of good strength at about 1800-1900 rpms. So figure 2000 rpm to be safe and shift at the following points, 15, 30, 40, 50. Going uphill I would shift into 4th and 5th a little later, whereas going downhill you could hit all the shifts slightly earlier. This is my viewpoint only, of course.
  • rwgreenbergrwgreenberg Member Posts: 154
    How did you come to the conclusion that 1800-1900 is when the Echo reaches its "band of good strength"? Just curious as I've always wondered at what point is the best shifting point from the "being friendly to the engine" POV.
    Thanks,
    Rich
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    Toyota says that "For the best compromise between fuel economy and vehicle performance, shift at the following points."

    1st to 2nd......15mph
    2nd to 3rd......25mph
    3rd to 4th......40mph
    4th to 5th......45mph

    This is for low altitude and you should downshift at the same speeds except when shifting from 5th to 4th, it should be done at 40mph.

    If you are at high altitude, you should shift at the following speeds.

    1st to 2nd......15mph
    2nd to 3rd......36mph
    3rd to 4th......45mph
    4th to 5th......53mph

    Downshifting in high altitude should be done at the following speeds.

    5th to 4th......40mph
    4th to 3rd......40mph
    3rd to 2nd......25mph
    2nd to 1st......15mph.

    I don't shift based on speed, but rather engine noise, but it turns out I shift pretty close to what the book suggests and my fuel economy numbers have been over 40mpg in mixed driving.
  • majorthomechomajorthomecho Member Posts: 1,331
    It was a joke.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I know. It's all good. :)
  • dsgechodsgecho Member Posts: 89
    Does anyone know or have tried to get parts for converting a stock rear seat on a 2001 echo to a split-folding type? I tried several local dealers and was told "no" but the answer seemed too quick to be necessarily the correct one.Thanks for your help in advance!
    Don
    Nashville, TN
  • lleroilleroi Member Posts: 112
    in the back might work.If you install them facing the rear it will give a great amount of rear legroom.
  • jeproxjeprox Member Posts: 466
    get an exacto knife, slice your rear seat in half and fold them down. you got split rear folding seats! :) kidding! :)

    have a good weekend!
  • wrgrahamwrgraham Member Posts: 112
    rwgreenberg, sorry I am slow getting back to you, it is because I was out of town for almost all of this past week. I commented previously about shifting into a rev level that falls within the power band of the Echo. Back when I was first researching and purchasing my Echo, in the spring of 00, I got a nice little graph from one of the magazines. I think it might have been Road and Track, but I am not sure. The graph showed the torque versus the rpm's. I probably have it somewhere still in my files, but couldn't find it when I looked just now.
  • blue_echoblue_echo Member Posts: 24
    Here's a recent photo of my Echo - blue, as you might guess by my name.
    image

    2001, 14,255 miles, no problems. And new wheel covers from eBay. I believe they're from a Corolla...
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    Yeah, they are from a restyled Echo. They look cool on the car though.
Sign In or Register to comment.