Toyota ECHO: Any Opinions?

[manchurianbrownbear]

I'm considering purchasing one and would be grateful any information any of you can provide!

 

[FOJMO]

My DD (17) has a 2003 Red Toyota Echo and it's great! She is leasing it and it's her first car. It gets great gas mileage (about 39/MPH) -- she only has to fill the tank about once every 2-1/2 to 3 weeks! She really likes it and so do we!

Good luck!

 

[CrazyBoutDisney]

I've been driving my 2001 Echo for almost 2 1/2 years now. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!!! Running around town, mileage is over 30 mpg and on the highway is 39-41 mpg, usually. I was so enchanted with mine, 2 weeks after I got it, DH bought one too!!!
Never had a bit of trouble with it mechanically--I just get the oil changed regularly and I believe the tires have been rotated a couple of times. We just follow the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual, take it in to the dealer and that's it. If I had to do it over again, I would still get the Echo. It has ZIP!!!! And I don't mind so much when people tease me about my little blue roller skate.

 

[DocRafiki]

no way would i ever be caught dead in something like that (and in a wreck, i probably WOULD be caught dead)

i think it's silly when people buy new tiny cars when they can buy a better, safer car that is a few years old for the same price.

 

[Rexfan]

We love ours and we are a family of 4! I bought mine when they first came out several years ago. I average 40+ mpg, and have almost 70K on it with NO problems.

I for one wish more people would drive small, enviromentally kind cars, but I guess that is a thread for the debate board. BTW, you would be amazed at how much the trunk holds!

 

[helenabear]

Just an FYI, here's ther crash test ratings for the Echo... they aren't as bad as you think. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/SList2.cfm I have a little car (Civic Si) and love it and it has excellent crash test ratings

And for that price for a new car it seems like a good deal. I once thought to look at one, but they were brand new when I was looking and I admit I am always wary of brand new cars their first year out. I think they are cute and surprisingly roomy (looked at car shows and showrooms that had them)

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Thanks for the input!

On Saturday I purchased a 2000 ECHO with 24K miles.

DocRafiki, I did consider your point, but tests seems to indicate that, while the ECHO isn't as safe as a Volvo (which is probably a little out my price range!), it does compare pretty favorably to other small cars. 90% of the time, it will be my back and forth to work car and as slowly as traffic is usually moving on my commute, I'm rarely travelling at a dangerous speed!

 

[Rexfan]

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your ECHO as much as we have enjoyed ours!

 

[helenabear]

Congratulations!!! I hope you enjoy your new car

 

[DocRafiki]

Crash tests are deceiving because they rate those cars in comparison to other small cars. (If you look around on the website, etc, you will find this disclaimer/explanation). There is no contest when those cars come upon a larger car. Even when they come upon a motionless object, you may be better off than someone in a Neon, etc, but you're still more likely to be toast than if you're in a bigger car.

I too which everyone would drive smaller cars and drive safely. But as long as there are big trucks and drunk drivers, I'm going to be selfish about my safety. (No, I'm not being sarcastic; I actually do realize I'm being selfish. But, I really won't care about the environment or price of gas if I'm dead.)