Another Amazing car (Toyota Echo)

[TominMO]

When my Festiva completely rots away in a couple more years from the Minnesota salt, I may very well replace it with an Echo.

Or, buy a Festiva from a salt-free area.

[MJD]

still a Toyota, ...but

Hi guys (and gals)

Last week I was out in Nor-Cal visiting my family, bought, fixed and promptly sold that 97 Aspire, still needing something to drive home I bought an 03 Echo of the local CL. They are one of the cars I pay attention to (prices, etc.) usually fetching around 4K to 6K depending on miles and condition (I've seen a few in the 2K range) The one I picked up is probably the LEAST desirable model in my value system (4-dr, auto trans) but the price was more than right (2800) 125K, silver, A/C. etc. I changed the oil and rotated the tires for the trip back to the icebox (Mn.) hoping to be lucky at 30mpg. I ended up getting no less than 40MPG and once got 51MPG with a major tailwind!! On top of that, the Echo cruises at 75-80 with zero effort (unlike my beloved carbie) who more enjoys 60-65. My lil carbie only pulls 40MPG on a good day these days (she's tired) I planned on selling the echo for a few bucks upon return, but thinking now I might keep it for a while. It's very comfortable, quiet (in relation to a gutted 89 festy) and seems to get less repulsive looks from young women...

I use to have an 00 2-dr 5-spd Echo that easily pulled 50MPG on the freeway. They sold a 2-dr hatchback echo in Canada for a few years that I can only imagine rivals the XFi in MPG's.

That VVT-i motor is one under rated little power plant. Every "worst cars" article I come across always lists the Echo, which I never understand. Simple, reliable and frigg'n 45+MPG!!!

FX

I always wondered what kind of mileage they did get. I think they look good, I also think the Geo Metro 4 door looks good. All the smaller cars look good. In Europe, that is a popular driver style because of the excellent mileage. The Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent too. Chevy Aveo also supposed to be great.
We Americans don't know what high fuel prices are compared to the other parts of the world, I see a lot of American attitudes still flaunting "bigger is better" attitude ....so vain ! Hybrids ? I think they got a lot of folks convinced they have to have one. A lot of drivers just don't want small stuff to drive, ...but the practicality for commuting, and just to trip into town for normal errands, etc., small is the best. Just gotta convince the big rig guys we are drivers too -- :p
Festiva 4 Us ,


mjd

[stevewl1164]

It is unfortunate about the Aveo. I work at a Chevy dealer and they are not reliable...or good on gas. People say they get 27 mpg. Heads bad and cause emissions to fail...fixed under warranty...a new head! The timing belts also break WAY too soon...40K or sooner in some cases. The Aveo drives nice...rides well and is quiet. The rear seat also does the fold twice thing on the hatch models. I'd stick with the Echo.

[FB71]

the Echo earned a Worst Car award for it's ergonomics. Most people don't like the center I/C. I don't care for it myself, but don't think it should merit a Worst Car branding. Echo is a good car.

[Safety Guy]

I'll echo that!

Karl

[festiva joe]

Ugly??????

Yeah, so are people from Cleveland, but I still call them my friends, or at least some of them!

Well your from bridgeport ......and thats the home of ugly people!!!!!



LOLOLOLOL


them SLOHIO-ans never learn


J/K

Joe
:sign3:

[LightWeight]

I wonder if any other Toyota motors will swap into a echo?

[Pu241]

Well your from bridgeport ......and thats the home of ugly people!!!!!



LOLOLOLOL


them SLOHIO-ans never learn


J/K

Joe
:sign3:

Good thing I'm not there often enough to notice!
Technically, I'm not from bridgeport, and seriously doubt I even meet the requirements for Ohio resident, or any other state for that matter.

But why do I need to explain this to someone from Michigan, the state that is home of "De troit" and the UAW.
Not to mention (but I just have to) if your not good looking, you could at least post a pic of someone who is.
I'm sure our resident photoshop guy's can do wonders for the armored glass like appears of your corrective optical wear, fill in the receding hairline, lessen that brow ridge, remove whatever growth you have that seems to have taken over the space between your nose and upper lip, as well as reduce the chin count.
In short they can make you look like a normal human, or as close as your likely to get.

Oh, yes, before I forget J/K

[Safety Guy]

Like LW, I want to know!:

"I wonder if any other Toyota motors will swap into a echo?"

How about the 1.8 DOHC all aluminum Corolla/Prizm engine from a few years' past? IIRC, around 130 hp and fairly common to find.

Karl

[m715]

Why is it that we can't leave alone a product that millions of dollars and thousands of collective manhours are spent refining to a balance of cost/performance/reliabilty/safety?

That reminds me............. the Camry comes out of warranty this month, I have to get busy.....



Michael

[TominMO]

Why is it that we can't leave alone a product that millions of dollars and thousands of collective manhours are spent refining to a balance of cost/performance/reliabilty/safety?

You just answered it....every design on the market is a balance, or compromise, unless it's a full-out track car. Modders just lean the car in a different direction from the factory average-user design.

[m715]

I can't leave anything alone......
I do have to admit, though, sometimes my projects get out of hand, and go on hold.....
the M715 has been sitting now since 2000 for example. One day, I will get back to it.

[qroger]

auto longevity

The other cars I'm considering would be Escorts (particularly ZX/2s), Kia Rios ('03 and later--no automatics) and maybe a Focus (kinda like the wagon).

Karl

My mechanic was bemoaning the limited lifespan of zx-2 Focus engines, and really any of the newer Ford engines. It is going to take some searching to find an economical car that has the potential to last 300,000 miles. Of course my Nissan pu has had 3 blown head gaskets in it's 250,000 miles and I keep getting it fixed. Partly it's the irrational determination to keep the things going that makes them high mileage vehicles.

[FB71]

My mechanic was bemoaning the limited lifespan of zx-2 Focus engines, and really any of the newer Ford engines. It is going to take some searching to find an economical car that has the potential to last 300,000 miles. Of course my Nissan pu has had 3 blown head gaskets in it's 250,000 miles and I keep getting it fixed. Partly it's the irrational determination to keep the things going that makes them high mileage vehicles.

then your 'mechanic' doesn't know his butt from a hole in the ground. I regularly see 2.0 Zetec and 2.3/2.5 Duratec (especially) with over 200k miles and no issues. The Duratec is easily a 500k mile engine, if properly maintained. What happens most often, is that these engines are available in entry level vehicles. These vehicles are purchased by folks that are either too financially challenged, or unaware ,to properly maintain them.

I have seen many 4.6L v8s in taxis with 400k-500k miles, and at most, they could have stood to have new valve stem seals. But again, that hinges upon proper maintenance.

[m715]

And that is just the point.... Not finding a low mileage car, but one that has been properly maintained. This is the reason, for example, I replaced two of my engines in Festivas with a complete crate engine. I know what has been done to them......
I did it! Sometimes, you just have to pick a car, and make the commitment, hoping the documentation that comes with it tells the whole story.... Or buy new.