2004 Toyota Echo Hatchback (Canadian model) - READ ONLY

52 messages, Last post on Dec 22, 2003 at 3:04 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota ECHO, Hatchback

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#43 of 52 Thinking about getting a 3-dr Echo hatch for my daughter for college by bodble2 Oct 03, 2003 (10:29 am)
Only thing that has me a bit concerned is the size of the Echo. There's really not much "crumple-zone" around the passengers. In an altercation with an SUV, would it get squashed like a bug?! Anyone share the same concerns?
#44 of 52 Safety by cp4h Oct 10, 2003 (1:50 pm)
I guess everything is a compromise isn't it. If you were too concern about crashworthness, why not get a used four door civic for the same amount of money ? They have very good crashratings and feel very stable on highway.
#45 of 52 cp4h by bodble2 Oct 11, 2003 (9:27 am)
It's funny you should mention Civic because that is exactly the other car we're considering. But here in Canada, to get a Civic with ABS, which is standard in all Echo hatchbacks, the price is about $3k more (out-the-door).
#46 of 52 by carlisimo Oct 11, 2003 (10:30 am)
In some colleges, she'll be driving carless people around pretty often, so backseat safety would be something to think about. If it's a long drive through a windy area, the Echo will get buffetted pretty bad. I'd still go for the Echo though. Take a large computer monitor box to the dealership. See which car it fits in more easily. That would be ultimate college car test. I suspect the Echo will be better for cargo.
#47 of 52 National Post review by odman Oct 27, 2003 (5:14 am)
Here's another positive review of the Echo hatch. It points out that it drives well on the highway, and that with a very low weight, it's torque is more than sufficient for getting around better than the old gutless Tercels of yore. http://www.nationalpost.com/driversedge/story.html?id=92EDF704-62- 31-4147-84DB-ECB7065402F5
#48 of 52 I just got a 5 door Hatch by kklose Oct 27, 2003 (8:43 pm)
I know I paid too much, but one of our local dealers managed to import one from Canada, and after driving it, had to have it!! It is a silver auto RS. Very attractive, comfortable, very good driver, quite quick. I bought it for my son, but he's going to have to pry it out of my hands! I absolutely love it, it is just about the best handling car I've owned in my 35 years of driving.
#49 of 52 How much did you pay? by bodble2 Oct 29, 2003 (12:25 pm)
You can price one on the Toyota.ca site, do the exchange conversion and see if you paid too much. They're selling at pretty much at MSRP up here in Canada.
#50 of 52 kklose by odman Oct 30, 2003 (5:27 am)
You must sure turn a lot of heads with it. Where in the US are you? We are starting to see lots on the streets here and they really are distinctive. Moreso than the Scion Xa, which we don't get. Did the dealer import just one or a bunch? Any issues with conversion to US standards or warranty coverage?
#51 of 52 fuelmiser by fuelmiser Dec 05, 2003 (11:39 am)
I have been very happy with my 1987 Sprint hatchback (actually made by Suzuki) that I have owned since new. It now has 200,000 miles on it and needs to be replaced - not due to mechanical problems but rather due to rusting. It gets up to 60 miles per US gallon, and it has been a very economical car all around. I am shopping for a new car and have settled on an Echo. But the sedan/coupe style is the only one offered here in the US. I would much prefer the hatchback, so I am interested in getting a car in Canada, new, and importing it. Can anyone give me a list of dealers in the Niagara, Ontario, area and a checklist of things I will need to do to import it? And the expense of doing this? Are there any US dealers around Buffalo, NY who do this kind of thing?
#52 of 52 Dealerships by janbee Dec 22, 2003 (3:04 pm)
Try www.toyota.ca looks like there are toyota dealers in niagara falls, st catherines, welland & fort erie, which are all pretty close to the us/canada border.