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Toyota Echo

5806 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 2:56 AM

You are in the Toyota Echo Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota ECHO, Sedan

Messages Page 394 of 582

#3925 of 5806 NYC by kneisl1

Jun 12, 2003 (4:46 am)

Kaz6 I was thinking that if you could have gotten past the moving issues that the ECHO would have made a terrific city car. Nimble in traffic and easy to find a place to park. On the other hand it would take a toll on the nerves driving a small car in city traffic! Good luck with the Elantra!
  The white ECHO found a home pretty quick. I see many of them for sale for quite a long time in the paper and also at the Toyota dealer. In fact my dealer has new 2002 ECHOs for sale, if you can believe the ads in the paper.

#3926 of 5806 Tire Time by babyboomer

Jun 12, 2003 (4:49 am)

Cut on sidewall on original tire could not repaired (so said the mechanic and I believe him). Echo (2001) has 20,000 miles on it and had planned to replace the tires at end of summer anyway. Ended up buying two new tires for front. Plan to replace the other two at end of summer.
 
True or false: Sidewall cuts/holes on tires can not be repaired.
 
True or false: Better to replace both tires on same axle than just one, and tires should be same brand/type/size.
 
True or false: When buying just two new tires, better to put both on front than the back.
 
I have been told by mechanic that all the above statements are true. Any other truths I should know?

#3927 of 5806 truth or dare by kneisl1

Jun 12, 2003 (5:31 am)

The mechanic is quite right about sidewall cuts. The sidewall flexes and dammage there can lead to a blowout.
  As far as the rest I used to have beater cars which means all the rules go out the window. As long as it runs everythings fair. I often used different brands and even sizes. (On my motorcycle I have used radial tires on the front and bias ply on the rear. No problem.) Tires with differing ammounts of wear were used on the same axle. The result? No problem at all. But then I drove very conservatively and slowly and not in citytraffic. In winter or bad weather or in high speed city traffic, yes I would follow that advice the mechanic gave you. Or if an inexperienced driver is involved.
  On the plus side it is ok to plug a tire with a hole in the tread. I even do it on the mc. Oh and one thing he didnt tell you about tires. Check you air pressure religiously! That is the main reason suvs are rolling over.

#3928 of 5806 kneisl1 by kaz6

Jun 12, 2003 (7:23 am)

It's not just the moving that made me switch. I also will have to set up house again which includes buying bulky items like tv's, etc. The ECHO's trunk is huge but the opening makes it hard to get items into it-the exception being my Mom's 19" lawn mower!
As for size, I used to navigate Manhattan traffic(lived in Staten Island for 9 years)on a variety of motorcycles nearly all year.
The car will be mainly for days off and such so mpg is not an issue.
I do miss my ECHO just the same!

#3929 of 5806 High Mileage and other matters by majorthomecho

Jun 12, 2003 (10:36 am)

I guess my Echo qualifies as to having "high mileage." I bought it new back in December of 2000 and I already have 65k miles on it. No rattles, doesn't burn oil between oil changes, and I am still loving it.
 
Tires are still good, but having so many miles on them make me a little antsy. If you were me, would you go ahead and change them. I am looking at Dunlop SP Sport A2 which Consumer Reports gave a good write up on. I just wish I knew how my current tires (Goodyear) compared in wet braking, dry braking, etc. If it rated as high in each category, I would go with them again.
 
In its current issue, Motor Trend has an article about the Scion cars. Paraphrasing, MT says it will take away any justification for buying an Echo. I got some justification for you. How about the fact that the Echo is available as a coupe or sedan while the Scions aren't? How about the better fuel economy of the Echo? How about the better straight line acceleration? According to Motor Trend itself, the Echo (with manual) does 0 to 60 in 8.4 seconds while the Xa (with manual) takes a second longer. They expect the Xb will put up numbers similar to the Xa. Is that enough justification for you, MT?
 
Well, I want to check out a few more of the message boards before I have to get ready for work.
 
Happy Echoing.

#3930 of 5806 majortomecho by pulgo

Jun 12, 2003 (11:42 am)

I would recommend the Yokohama Avid Touring tire.
It will last more than 80k miles, is excellent in rain and very quiet. Cost is: $ 50 plus installation -for P175/65R14-
Where? at www.tires.com
By the way, my Echo is a 2001 and the odometer shows 64600 miles. No repairs, no complaints, no oil consumption between changes.

#3931 of 5806 Pulgo by majorthomecho

Jun 12, 2003 (3:31 pm)

But how does the Yokos do in other categories? The Dunnies did pretty well in most every category.

#3932 of 5806 tires by kneisl1

Jun 12, 2003 (6:18 pm)

Thankyou for that information about the Yoko tires. That is a very long lived tire for a very reasonable price.

#3933 of 5806 one glitch arises by wrgraham

Jun 13, 2003 (12:14 am)

My 2000 Echo is now at 79K miles, I also have never had to add oil between changes, which I do at every 6K miles. Pulls as good as ever. My wife did report a nasty sound that she has heard several times now, from the front. I never hear it. My daughter, who is now driving, figured it out right away, it is the AC. Which I rarely use. Seems to happen when initially turned onto a high setting. Probably a loose or bad belt, I will get after it right away. Since I did get the major 60K maintenance (at 65K miles), I bet they didnt replace that belt, and they likely should have. I had one other small issue about 10K miles ago, which was that the electrical switch in the drivers door had gone bad. Which had some minor repercussions, like the interior light did not go on when the door opened. Cheap and easy fix was that.

#3934 of 5806 belt by kneisl1

Jun 13, 2003 (5:08 am)

Believe it or not those belts are probably good for 100k miles or more. If it is necessary to replace it, make sure they replace the power steering belt at the same time. I think the ps belt needs to come off to replace the waterpump, alternator, ac belt anyway. Im thinking the noise might be the clutch for the ac. But whatever it is tell us what they find out!

Messages Page 394 of 582

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