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

Toyota Echo

L8_ApexL8_Apex Member Posts: 187
Welcome to the continuation of the Toyota Echo 6
topic. Those of you joining us from that topic are
welcome to continue your discussion.

If you're new to this topic, you may want to
follow the above link for additional archived
posts.

Thanks,

L8_Apex
Sedans Host
«134567115

Comments

  • thooverthoover Member Posts: 49
    Choices, choices...

    Our Echo is the Seafoam Blue Metalic and we like it more and more. My second favorite is the metalic gold. If you are getting the body cladding, these are good colors that the black cladding looks good with.
  • forgetmenot2forgetmenot2 Member Posts: 7
    I have the new blue color that you think is too dark. I really like it and sence it`s the only new color you probably won`t see too many. Also when I do see one which I don`t very often as I live out in nowhere`s well all I`ve seen are the silver one and yes their are sooooooo many silver one`s. Even if you moved to a different appartment you would probably still have the same problem, hee, hee !. So please don`t get the silver one as I am sure you are not about to but can`t give you any help but to tell you what I have. Good luck on your decision.
  • mdrewmdrew Member Posts: 32
    I also thought the silver was cool but too common (read something about 25% of all new cars are silver! the most popular color nowadays). I liked the seafoam blue even better when I finally saw one and got one of those. Nobody has kicked sand in my face for having a "girly" car. Mongl-1: be a man: if you like it you should get it.
  • smalley1smalley1 Member Posts: 8
    I like the white looks good and can be seen t night and is one of the safest colors on a car.I only pay $600 a year for full coverage with two drivers 38 and 39. Also have high coverage because I have a house and live in ct the land of bmw and mercedes . My husband is 6'3" and loves the room in this car the first one he does not have to crouch in to. My Echo has 7300 miles and had it since April love this little car.Jeanne
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I am 6'3, but tend to drive with my right leg slightly bent out to the right side. I want to be able to stretch out a little further than the Echo will allow. I also have a size 14 shoe too. :) If I could just get the seat moved back about an inch or so on its tracks (custom job), I would be perfect.

    Two of my friends have Echos (both first cars and both under 23) and love them. No complaints so far. One since April with about 6000 miles and one for about a month and 1200. Great little cars. Of course, that's no surprirse since they ARE Toyotas.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I meant to put "Daddy long legs" in the heading of my last post. That's what I get for trying to be a wise guy. :)
  • crazy4disneycrazy4disney Member Posts: 4
    Hiya --

    I'm a single 34 year old female living in Houston also, and I only pay $69 a month for full coverage. I have no tickets or accidents. My insurance company is Nationwide, and it was a special "first-time car-buyers" plan. I also have discounts for airbags and an alarm, and I'm fixing to take defensive driving to lower the rate even more.

    Hope this helps! :-)

    -gina-
  • ernieechoernieecho Member Posts: 8
    My mom works in insurance in Houston. I'll ask her what you should expect and get back within a day or two.
  • vocusvocus Member Posts: 7,777
    I have a 1999 Mazda Protege and my insurance for full coverage (25/50/25 limits w/$500 collision ded. & $100 comp) is $143 a month. Of course, I get a discount because my cousin (whose name is on my car as well) is over 30 and because I have renter's insurance w/State Farm as well. But $210 a month for a 30+ year old is NUTS! Check somewhere else. Even go to http://www.insweb.com or http://www.esurance.com for more info.
  • mong1mong1 Member Posts: 32
    I'm going to get the Seafoam Blue... it is real rare, the dealer said it is hard to find, I'm going to get it anyway (punish the dealer for stressing me out and push me so hard to buy from them ;p ). Does anyone have any gallery of Echo to share?

    I came across these site when looking for gallery:

    Red
    http://www.carweb.com/featurearticle/cw_article17.html

    Seafoam Blue (I don't think this is the actual color, should be close to):
    http://www.toyota.com/cgi-bin/top_frame.cgi?low_frame=echo%2fecho.tmpl&data_frame=%2fecho%2fintro_echo.html

    Gold:
    http://www.auho.com/autopics/html/picsToyotaEcho1.html

    Silver:
    http://www.auho.com/autopics/html/picsToyotaEcho2.html

    Blue:
    http://www.autospeed.com/C_articles/A_0665/P_1/article.html

    Green (the top picture):
    http://www.theautochannel.com/news/writers/lhill/2000echo.html

    I really want a picture that can be used as my desktop wallpaper... oh my god... I'm addicted to Echo o o o o))))......

    PS: I'm expecting to pay $14,250 for a 4 door, 5 speed manual, with upgrade package 1 and 2, the rear spoiler, floor mat, alloy wheel... am I paying too much? What should I expect?
  • forgetmenot2forgetmenot2 Member Posts: 7
    I got 2 floor mats at a discount place for $10.00 total. They fit real nice and are plastic with the grooves in them to catch the water, mud, etc. I like those as you can take them and hose them down to clean um. By the way did I tell you the dark blue is really pretty and not that dark, oh ya guess I did. Well I haven`t seen the light blue and I think I would have really liked that just as much. Now go get your car. !!!!
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    Mong1,

    Just wondering given that your hotmail address starts with kc, if you live in the Kansas City area like I do. If you do, would love to meet with you once you get your Echo. Good luck on finding an Echo in the Seafoam Blue. Especially if you do live in Kansas City since that seems to be the rarest color. Have seen a lot of silver ones though. Originally, I was going to get a Seafoam Blue sedan, but I have decided to get a Blacksand Pearl Sedan instead.

    Djmick2,

    I am a thirty seven year old male living in Kansas City. I have no tickets and no accidents for about ten plus years. I drive a 1993 Ford Escort Wagon with policy limits of 100k/300k/100k and low deductibles. My insurance is through American Family and I pay $62 a month. For the same limits, the insurance on my Echo is going to be about $70 a month. I think you are really getting hosed on insurance.
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    I went out and bought the latest issue of AutoWorld Weekly and got a bigger kick out of it than usual. The reason is that I have a letter in the issue. Mine is the one that takes AutoWorld to task for using a misleading cover blurb about a comparison involving three Korean cars. My roommate was suitably impressed now that I am a published author. : ) LOL.
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    Azecho, I am not sure if I am famous or anything. More like infamous. : ) Or maybe like the name of that movie, "Almost Famous."

    Shylocxs, your post brings back some fond memories. When I had a '92 Escort GT that was brand new, I thought I had to get a personal property tax statement from somewhere 90 miles away from where I was and be back in a very short time. This resulted in a trip where I took corners at 90 miles an hour and going down straightaways with the needle buried. I made the trip there and back in time, but the kicker was that because it was a new car, I did not need the personal property tax receipt after all.

    The more I read about defensive driving courses, the more I want to take one. Does anyone know of any that are held close to Kansas City? Close would be up to four hours away.
  • smalley1smalley1 Member Posts: 8
    That wood trim looks neet . I have used rainex on my window it help a lot on the misty days as I do not have intermented wipers. I whant to see if I can get a alarm and power door locks with cruse control installed but my dealer said if you install any non toyota parts you void the worntee so do not want to do that.
  • cwo4cwo4 Member Posts: 90
    I've had my car since Aug 11th. Gotta go. There's a road I haven't driven yet.
  • goodcarmagoodcarma Member Posts: 1
    get their car looked at for that recall?
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Your freinds are right. The Echo does look very girly. No surprise here since it is a direct replacement for the Tercel and the Paseo.
    Just a word of advice. If the car is strictly
    an appliance to you, the Echo is the way to go(reliable, economical etc).
    But if your freind's comments bother you in any way, wait and get something more muscular.
  • rjgeerjgee Member Posts: 27
    The review has been updated again....

    Still negative, but at least it contains some facts this time (well, discounting the used Civic spiel)
  • melodyechomelodyecho Member Posts: 19
    I really love my little red Echo. My husband (computer geek) scanned in a photo of a red 4door Echo into the computer and put it on our computer desktop. He altered it slightly by putting the M&M symbol on it. He is a nut. Both our names start with M. He thinks the car looks a little like a peanut M&M. Thus my silly new deskstop.
    Also...fellow K.C. Echo owners! Next time the crazy women in the Red Echo waves at you, it is probably me. :)
  • ernieechoernieecho Member Posts: 8
    Here is what my mom said about the insurance:

    "It sounds high, however, there are other variables--his liability limits and deductibles. I f he has low deductibles the premium is going to be higher regardless of other factors. But still you are talking about $2500 per year and that seems out of line.

    A lot of people don't consider some things claims (which are) and others forget that there was another accident or claim."

    You might have known this already, but I thought I would pass it along.
  • azechoazecho Member Posts: 12
    Well, last week did I say it was bright and sunny?
    It has been sunny and raining and raining and raining....3 days in a row.. Hope we don't need a canoe...

    Well the echo was checked out for safety, to see whether it was safe enough to drive on the road after the wrecho. She checked out with a few minor adjustments. Still haven't replaced the tires, but they are coming...(goodcarma) the recall issue, we have to have the headquarters ok.. our service rep had a puzzled look maybe that's why he mentioned the skidding..... That we're also looking into, since it was made in the time frame. What have we got to lose?

    I have to admit... for being in a wrecho the Echo sure did well. The body just shifted, dent on the bumper,( actually its a hole) and the engine is doing great... a few plastic parts broken... but nothing to interfere... when we get the sliding issue conquered, I will be thoroughly impressed. She is back on the road till she goes in to get her body fixed.

    Echoluvrst. ...don't worry you'll be famous... they all be quoting your quote in agreement... I know there is a high performance school here in AZ, had a friend that was a mechanic for it. Was supposed to get an afternoon on the track(free!) and speed legally and it never transpired.... pout :( He quit to be a Mechanic on the Super truck series)... hm well. I was going to call and see what it cost to send my daughter.. But I am wondering, will she try to do what (shylocxs) did? Echo just zips and like (lynnanne 1) who was sooooo tempted to race what was that again? She won!

    djmick2 - it's got to be the 18 year old thing..
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    Just a word of advice about the "wood" trim found on ebay. These kits are actually thin peices of plastic that you have to use a hairdryer and 3M adhesive to stick onto your dash and other areas. These are not made to any manufacturer standard and are definitly not endorsed or used by Toyota. The asking price on these is usually "$99 for what dealers charge $600!" but what they don't tell you is that what you get from the dealer usually takes the place of existing trim peices and has the wood grain sections permanently attached. Then again, some people like to put bumper stickers all over brand new cars too!
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    You live in KC? Cool! If you would, look at my profile and send me an email. Since I am still looking for a local dealer to buy my Echo, I would love to hear about your dealer experiences.
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    Azecho,

    The tax on e-mail is one of the oldest and longest lived hoaxes on the internet. That is the reason that big companies are not complaining.
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    HA!!! They would have to rewrite the ENTIRE internet mailing system! They would have to try to reconcile multiple protocols and - how would you even begin to tell people they couldn't sign up for their millions of free anonymous email accounts each day! If they were going to do something like that it would have had to been started at the VERY beginning!
  • azechoazecho Member Posts: 12
    I had just received it the last time I posted... It was the first I had heard it!

    Thanks Echoluvrst and Sonatafan, for saving me from taking up a cause that wasn't there... So there isn't a prop whatever? HUH?

    By the way, someone had earlier mentioned scratches that showed black on the bumper of the echo... has anyone tried the touch-up paint Toyota offers that matches your car color, for the tiny booboos???
  • ernieechoernieecho Member Posts: 8
    I used touch-up paint for my Seafoam blue Echo and it matches just fine.

    Mong1-I am also 24, I have a seafoam blue, 5 speed manual with body cladding and a spoiler. I think we have (or will have) basically the same car. I'm not a Chinese guy in Kansas, though:)
  • gaiffemgaiffem Member Posts: 11
    I cannot use my removable roof rack to mount my canoe on the Echo. The humped roofline isn't a problem, but the edges of the roofline are sloped just enough so that the clips on the roof rack don't hold. Pity :( So when I need to go canoeing I call my son and use his Camry. He doesn't mind since he then gets to borrow Dad's car again.

    I'm not sure how good an idea it would be having a canoe on the roof anyway. Adding more topside weight and more flat area for crosswinds (either natural or from the BIG trucks) could cause problems.

    While towing is not recommended for the Echo, if I had only one car available I'd strongly consider a lightweight trailer and hitch setup over roof mounting. The engine certainly has enough power and torque to handle a canoe and trailer. And with a manual transmission, proper shifting techniques would minimize any possibility of overheating the tranny. With an auto transmission, I'd be somewhat more careful about hills and the like. The only major issue I can see with a trailer setup is that with a light rear end, what would happen if a tire blew out on the trailer? Would it "whip" enough to tear the hitch off, or just make for a very interesting driving experrience? Hmmmm.

    That said, I think a trailer hitch on the back of an Echo would be safer than a roof mount with the added advantage that you'd be able to put a lightweight boat propeller on the hitch (when not actually towing)and explain to people that the additional thrust from its rotation gives you three more miles per gallon. ;)
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    I have the black sand pearl paint and used my Toyota touch up paint on the rear bumper where someone scraped it (anonymously of course). The paint looks very good. I like the metallic flake type black paint on my car because it blends the touch up in better.
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    I am still looking for a dealer where to buy my car. I will definitely have to factory order my Echo since I want basically every bell and whistle (including ABS, but not power windows). I will post the color, body style, and option codes later on.

    I have been down to Kenny Thomas in Olathe where I took my test drive. I have also been to Superior Toyota and I have been in contact with Jay Wolfe Toyota, but have not been able to find the time to drive by. Jay Wolfe is closest to my house and has given me the best quote, but price and how I feel I will be treated after the sell is what will help me the most in determining a dealer. Recent ads make me want to look at Molle Toyota and Adams Toyota in Raytown. Thanks for the warning about the high documentation fee charged by Superior. That is one point I will be negotiating down at whatever dealer.

    You can ignore the comments about the Echo looking girly. Those comments were made by our resident pot stirrer and I think he was making those comments to get a reaction.

    Regarding the high insurance cost, how is your credit history? Most people don't know that bad credit can lead to higher insurance premiums. Really bad credit can lead to a denial of insurance in fact.

    After we get our Echos, would really love to meet you and MelodyEcho. Perhaps we can start a KC Echo car club or something. : )
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    I just had a chance to read the "new" review. I thought it was much better written and a lot less objectionable. I still object to the Civic being characterized as larger. The Civic is larger in one or two categories, but overall the Echo is the larger of the two.
  • vadpvadp Member Posts: 1,025
    Who's reaction am I seeking? (Don't tell me yours).
    The Echo looks girly. It's not necesarely a bad thing. Lots of guys drive chick's cars. To each of his own.
    How is your daydreaming about the Echo? I'm sure it always appears in pink.
  • rra123rra123 Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    Can anyone post a comparison of Echo and Civic

    I am specifically comparing 4-dr Automatic Tx Echo
    with DX Civic 4-dr Automatic Tx

    Things that are important to me are :
    1. Reliability
    2. Safety
    3. Fuel-economy
    4. Cost
    I do not care at all about Looks, fun-to-drive,
    Frills such as Power-door,power-locks or cruise-control or even A/C

    The lower cost of Echo is offset by the fact that it not available without all the frills (so I have to pay for all upgrade packages)

    Also the impression i get is that Echo is susceptible to Cross-winds. Can it lose balance or go out-of-control if let's say I am driving at 60 to 70 mph on Dumbarton or Bay bridge and it is a windy day
  • sonatafansonatafan Member Posts: 171
    If the Echo could go out of control in a crosswind wouldn't Nader be able to dust of all his old notes and start a new crusade??
  • lynnann1lynnann1 Member Posts: 85
    I rear ended a lady who suddenly changed her mind about entering traffic yesterday evening. Echo is okay, a dent in the passenger side of the bumper and some scratches on the hood. Her car was worse. 1987 Honda Accord, her driver's side rear fender was pretty crinkled. It was rusty and it didn't hold up too well. The State Trooper only gave me a verbal warning. I've never had a ticket and this is my first accident where it was my fault.

    :(:(:(
  • mong1mong1 Member Posts: 32
    Oh, you have been to Jay Wolf Toyota? They didn't call me, just a reply that someone will contact me soon and if I have any question I can write them back or call them.... somehow I feel that they're going to ignore me because I asked for a quote of RAV 4 last week....

    You said Jay Wolf have best quote, could you tell me what price? Is my quote fair or can be better, $13600 for almost everything.

    I have almost perfect credit. I used to pay my credit card clear until few months ago where I just graduated and was jobless... now that I got a job and I'm clearing my credit cards.... I don't own a lot though, just about 3 thousand.... not that bad right? Statistics show that average American own $6000 dept.

    I'm watching Dateline NBC now and they talk about how SUV have problem with rollover... I'm glad I didn't get RAV4 (can't affort also)... I'm driving a 91 Tracker now and I always have problem with turns, especially during bad weather. Oh, this friday, I'm not sure which news program, either 20/20, or Dateline, they will talk about what should we know about hidden fee when buying a car... I'm going to buy a car on saturday so definately will not miss this show.... I believe is 20/20 because I remember Barbra Walter.

    Hey, give me whatever quote you have, would you? I just don't have time to go to all the dealers. Thanks.
  • melodyechomelodyecho Member Posts: 19
    The paperwork fee varies greatly from dealer to dealer in K.C. It WAS a factor in my decision to buy at Molle. The paperwork fee was very minimal.
    The Edmund True Market Value data was helpful. That and the information about the dealer holdback on the Edmund site.
  • wenyuewenyue Member Posts: 558
    It was your fault, yet the cop only gave you a verbal warning?! Man, the females of the species can get away with just about anything... GEEz! ;)
  • echozechoz Member Posts: 15
    We are about to purchase a new Echo sedan. The only question I have is whether to pay extra for the power pack or not. It includes power windows, mirrors, central locking, velour trim, CD player and 60/40 fold down seats.
    I'd appreciate some thoughts on the matter. Thanks
    PS This is an option on the Australian Echo.
  • wenyuewenyue Member Posts: 558
    I didn't know power Window is an option for the Echo... Did I miss something?
  • azechoazecho Member Posts: 12
    (lynnanne1) was wondering about you.. wow, I am sorry to hear about your echo wrecho... But as you probably noticed the body doesn't crumble in a lower impact type accidents, it shifts... most likely the side you hit the most with will be a little higher... the body absorbs the impact... I faintly remember something about how the bumper is made different... I remember the salesman, walking through all the safety features.. The police officer was probably amazed the body looked as good as it did...

    (Sonatanfan) and (ernieecho) thanks for the input about the touch-up paint... I think after ours is fixed.. I am going to have my daughter carry it around.. For all those anonymous people that forget a car was there when they open their door.

    I knew the mad scientist would have all the info concerning the canoe~~~ I laughed so hard about the boat propeller, I could just imagine it.**.

    The power windows were not even available for our buy... something about the basic was what would be available, to have a lower price to attract people to buy.. After, the interest builds, then it would
    be more readily available in the dealerships....
    was this explained to anyone else this way?

    I read about the dealer holdback, I thought this was something that benefited the customer concerning the amount of time the car was or was not on the lot..

    Did I mention on the way home from work, a focus was stalled and holding up traffic... It had someone directing traffic away from... Aren't these about as new as the echo?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  • wmnfolkwmnfolk Member Posts: 2
    I have a 4 door silver sedan with black body mouldings and dark tinted windows which accent the body mouldings. The tinted windows make it really look sharp. I am considering adding a spoiler but haven't seen any on the road with one. I'd like to see one in person first.

    I pay $432 a year to fully insure my Echo with $300 deductibles through Wawanesa Insurance. I pay an extra $96 to keep insuring my Samurai at the bare minimum. I pay my car insurance in 3 installments per year - that may have something to do with cheaper price too.
    I am a 30 yr old female, with clean driving record. Geico is the only company who could come close to that price - but they couldn't beat it!
  • lynnann1lynnann1 Member Posts: 85
    Wenyue - The office was VERY BUSY and no one was hurt and the damage was minor. Also I didn't beat around the bush I looked him straight in the eye told the truth. Perhaps the other driver was somewhat at fault since she made it appear that she was going and when I looked over my shoulder to see if it was safe for me to proceed she had left my peripheral vision and stopped therefore I hit her. It was probably a 5 mph bump, but boy was it LOUD.

    azecho -- It doesn't look like anything has shifted. I hit her at an angle so just the corner of the bumper is dented. It looks like it absorbed the impact very well. I must have run part of the hood under something on the other car, but came away with some scratches only which are just above the right headlight. Didn't even crack the lens.

    echoz-- your profile doesn't say, but are you in OZ? How come you Aussies get the good packages? :) I would have liked to have power windows, but they didn't offer the with the 2000 Echos here in the US. It would be nice to be able to roll down the rear windows while driving.
  • lynnann1lynnann1 Member Posts: 85
    echoz - get the split seats, I don't have them (the dealer only had 2 ECHOS on the lot at the time and neither had the split seats), but I wish I did sometimes.

    We're thinking about getting one from a junked car, but right now there aren't any available in our immediate area.
  • lynnann1lynnann1 Member Posts: 85
    You know men in uniform = sexy... just flutter your eyelids a bit....
  • janbeejanbee Member Posts: 127
    For those thinking about getting the seafoam blue go for it. I have the 2001 echo brochure and seafoam blue and white are no longer colours available in Canada..So they must have pulled those colours because they didnt do so well here but hey, that means those colours are more rare!!..the colours in the brochure are gold, silver, black, dark green, dark blue and red..
  • echoluvrstecholuvrst Member Posts: 111
    Mong,

    Two of the quotes (from Kenny Thomas and Jay Wolfe) are from when the Echo first came out. KT wanted about $14,500 for an almost fully equipped Black Sand Pearl Sedan with spoiler. JW wanted $13,800 for virtually the same vehicle. I have gotten a more recent quote from JW on a 2001 and it was for about the same amount. It was for a car on the lot and not a special order.

    If you go "buy" your Echo on Saturday, you can expect to put down about a $500 deposit to have the dealer order the car for you. You do realize that Seafoam Blue is not a color available for the 2001 models so they will have to find you a 2000 model? If you go ahead and put your deposit down, make sure the dealer will be getting you the car exactly as you want it. Get this in writing!

    I have not been to Jay Wolfe so sorry if my post gave you that impression. I got the original quote over the phone. This was like 24 hours after I sent a request through their website. The person in charge of internet sales has changed and this new person has never called me. Her final email was that she would be glad to assist me when I stop by.

    Good luck on Saturday.

    Vadp,

    No, I did not think you were trying to get my reaction although you did get it. Anyway, I believe that Mong was asking if Seafoam blue was a girly color and not whether the Echo was girly looking. I do not think the Echo is girly looking and I think Seafoam Blue is a great color. As to what color I daydream, it is the Black Sand Pearl color as that is the color of the Echo I will be buying.

    Well, time to take a shower and get to work.
  • gaiffemgaiffem Member Posts: 11
    I noticed a few posts back that you're stuck with a 10/9 last update note on this bb. Me too! And the only way I'm able to make this seventh grouping of posts is to go to the sixth (latest listed), and link from the final message of that group. Have you fixed your problem, and if so, how? Thx
  • lynnann1lynnann1 Member Posts: 85
    I use the placemarks and have no problem.
Sign In or Register to comment.