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Comments
The car was totaled (and there was $6,000 damage to the Volvo) -- but I did walk away from it. I replaced the car with another '92 Protege, but swapped the Poortenzas for a set of Toyos at about 22,000 miles. The Toyos were still doing fairly well when I traded the car at 83,000 miles, for comparison!
If you'd like to see a pic of what the RE92s caused, go here (and I apologize for the b+w pic, but I was a newspaper reporter at the time):
http://www.geocities.com/negatize/media/specialty/meade92_totaled.jpg
My present car, a 2000 Protege ES, also came with these horrible tires. I kept putting off replacing them but finally did at 33,000 miles -- but by then the tires were spinning from every takeoff in the rain, and were downright terrifying on the highway in the rain. I replaced them with a set of Dunlop SP Sport A2s -- excellent, excellent tire. The car goes like it's on rails in the rain even after 14,500 miles with these tires. They're H-rated but feel more like V-rated tires. And they didn't do too badly in yesterday's snow either!
I highly recommend the Dunlops (they're only about $80 apiece at tirerack.com where I bought them), and I highly DO NOT recommend the Bridgestone Potenza RE92. (There are other versions of the Potenza and I've heard that some of them are good tires -- just stay away from the RE92.)
If you need further owners' opinions, please go to the tirerack site and read the customer reviews for both tires. You'll see a whole lot of commentary about the Potenzas being terrifying in the rain.
BTW, the Dunlop has a treadwear rating of 420 if memory serves me correctly -- and by how mine are doing, I fully expect to get at least 60,000 miles out of these tires. I barely got that much mileage out of the THREE sets of OEM Potenzas I experienced over the last 10 years.
Meade
P.S. Pat, I know this is not the tire discussion. But since the subject was being discussed here, I thought I'd answer here. Now, as Forrest Gump said, "That's all I have to say about that."
Yep, the ECHO.
I am interesting in buying a 2003 ECHO.
It will be a 4DR with 4-C Automatic. With all the option I want, the total of the invoice price from web site will be $14,000(w/o Tax). I will pay in cash. Could it be cheaper? How could I talk the dealer to it?It is my first time of buying a new car. I have no experience of buying a car. Please give me some suggestion. Thanks a lot!!!
Rex
I know how to fix car, but really I doubt I am able to manipulate others to get the best deal. (I suspect few others are either) Being in the right place at the right time is worth its weight in interest payments. ECHO is a GREAT car however, so I think you cant go far wrong buying one in any case.
I just screwed myself the other day bigtime. I wanted my family to have a digital camera for xmas. (OK I wanted me to have it but my wife WILL use it too) I decided on a Canon Powershot 40 and looked on the net for the cheapest price ($217-350) I went to the $217 place but got talked into extras I really didnt need and the price came to $403! Its dog eat dog out there! (but I like the camera and will be happy with it)
Here's a good start:
(Confessions of a car salesman is a great article to see some of the tricks they try)
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/?id=lin9033
Thanks all
Maybe with the styling changes, the Echo will become a better seller. It's too bad some don't like the looks of the Echo and don't look past that, there's alot of fun, reliability, and value to be had here.
I really like and appreciate this car. We do have strong winds over here, and it does take some getting adjusted to deal with that, but it becomes a non-issue for us after that. We do not have any freeways or highways of 4 or more lanes to drive here. If I had to do a lot of high speed freeway driving I can see how I might look to a heavier car. But I love the agility and economy of this Echo. I would buy another without a doubt. And since my daughter now drives it, she has her learner's permit, maybe I will have to buy another in the future.
Yes, Potenza RE930i's are very good tires for the price, especially with the Costco deal ($50 off with a purchase of 4).
Does the tail light assembly have a separate bulb for the turn signal, separate from the brake light? IE, when you apply the brakes and the turn signal simultaneously, does the brake light (on that side) flash?
I can't stand cars that do that, and I swore to never buy a car with that design. It just seems cheap and unsafe IMHO. Thanks for your help.
They usually include that $50 or $30 coupon in there - last time it was $50 off with a purchase of any 4 Bridgestone or Michelin tires at the Costco tire center.
And yes, they're right. There's no such promotion at the moment.
About 2 1/2 years ago, I had a choice between a Kia Sportage and a Toyota Echo. Had a gut feeling about the Echo, but went with the Sportage. Well, 2 1/2 years later, I'm not sure of the problem, but either the tires or the 4 wheel drive (not sure which) on this particular Kia (even if not on any other one) is horrible. I can't see 2 1/2 more winters with this thing. Tonight, Dec 23rd, 2002, I am unable to finish my Christmas shopping, because I am sliding on barely 1/4" slush on a straight surface. Go figure..(yes, the 4WD is set correctly.)
Anyway, would I be thinking off another planet to attempt trading this 2000 Kia in for an Echo? I know how to research, etc., but not too familiar with the 'trading up', 'trading down' theory, just where I am on that line, & if it's even a possibility. I owe about $7000 on the Kia, and according to the Edmunds site research, it is worth $8030 on trade in (maybe more).
Also, it seems from this site that the older model Echos are getting a higher rating than the 2003. Any comments on this?
Thanks for any help you may have to offer!
Have you driven another Sportage to see how it handles on snow? Maybe discussed this with other owners in the Town Hall? Or the dealer? I think you are right in your feeling that its the tires. Is it time for new ones yet? As long as the vehicle is OK mechanically I would keep it unless you want to take a major hit on tradeing it in. Good luck and tell us what you find out/decide.
I ended up with the aqua-green color, AC and a few other options.
Will pick up tomorrow and report back soon.
Since this is our first Christmas with Echo, she filled it with 4 photos she took of our Echo and recorded her own captions. I just love it all - my twin, my Echo, and my Echo keepsake!
Funny thing: I was walking to my car and a man asked me if mine was the new version. I have 15" wheels and rear spoiler so I get that a lot.
So far:
ZX3:
More solid feeling and grippier (bigger tires too)
Echo:
Much more in the way of storage nooks.