2000 Toyota Echo from North America

Summary:

Gas hater

Faults:

Just the Belts were loose and that is it.

General Comments:

I love my car, I have wanted one every since they came out, but I purchased a Ford Focus in 2000, 2 years later I traded that in for a Subaru Impreza, I did not like that car as much, then when I was shopping around in 2004, I was a Nissan Dealership and saw this car and new that I had to buy it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 2004

2000 Toyota Echo 1.5L from North America

Summary:

I love my car so much, I named it Christine, after my favorite movie

Faults:

The only thing I had a little problem with was the automatic locks, but we added the locks onto the car from the dealer, and the dealer did a really bad job at installing it. At first they put a giant toggle switch, at this time my sister still owned the car. I was angry and argued with the dealer to put the correct switch, or simply give it to me to install. They changed it, but after me arguing with them for nearly two hours. Once in a while the car seems to drop low in RPM's and have a rough idle, it rarely happens though, you feel it on take off once in a while, but it only happened like 5 or 6 times.

General Comments:

Besides the mess at the dealer with the power door locks, the car has been very reliable, and cheap to maintain. It is incredibly easy to work on, the front brakes take me about 30 minutes to change both sides, the rear a bit longer due to the drum system on it. I would like to see a kit or something where it is 4 wheel disc brakes, simply because I hate ruining my hands pulling on those springs to change rear drum brakes. It drives nice, has power, but I would like it to have an rpm gauge like the new ones do. It is roomy and fun to drive, comes standard with a nice stereo system, and is easy to own.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th November, 2003

30th Dec 2003, 10:01

With less than 50K miles you should have not needed to change the rear brakes, unless you are in the habit of driving around with the parking brake on...

BTW, the car in "Christine" went out and killed people, but doubt that the ECHO would be capable of that. Small mammals like mice or squirrels, maybe...

2000 Toyota Echo 4-door 1.5L Gas engine from North America

Summary:

It is a great overall car, but needs more power

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with my car, possibly because I owned it since the car was new.

General Comments:

My echo is good on gas and very dependable. I went to Monterey and back on half a tank, but has poor handling. To increase handling performance I went to wider tires, from a 175/70/14 to a 185/60/14, which has made a huge difference in just that little width I gained in the tires. I love the factory stereo, with amazing sound and easy controls, making it easy for anybody to use. The car could use more power, especially when trying to get onto the freeway after having to stop at those ridiculous lights before entrance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th September, 2003

17th Nov 2003, 14:29

I have a Toyota echo I have done a lot of work to it, but I found to control it better on the road I lowered it and have 17 on it and it does not sway any more.

17th Nov 2003, 18:54

Why bother? It's an Echo.

Den.

29th Jul 2004, 14:40

Echos are nice cars, I mean for a first car, its not a bad ride! The wheels on them are too small I will agree...

14th Dec 2006, 07:00

I agree although in the uk we do not have these.

I would say they will look a lot better with a wheels a bit bigger than standard, but them small wheels are there for a reason, namely to cut costs and also reduce fuel consumption as with smaller wheels there is less friction therefore better performance and economy!.

But the trade off is obviously handling and grip!.

15th Jun 2008, 10:48

Well I had a similar problem with drifting at highway speeds.

I didn't get bigger tires. Just higher quality. And hell, very very good tires for a Toyota Echo only run to $70 a tire.