Comments: 1-15, 16-27
From the time I purchased this car, I haven't had any problems at all.
I wasn't expecting too much from a 10k car, but once I started driving it daily I fell in love. From it's toyish looks you wouldn't expect this car to hit 60MPH in 6.5 seconds or have a built in rev limiter, but it does! When Toyota designed this car they had performance in their sights. Stock, this car outperforms Honda Civic, and Ford Focus. Not only can I hit 60 in 6.5 seconds, I can still get 43MPG doing it! This is a wonderful car for someone who likes a personal car.
No way in hell can you get a little Echo to do that. I have a 92 Mercury Topaz XR5 with a 3.0 liter V6 and a 5 speed transmission that gets 225 horsepower and I get to 60 in 8 seconds. There is no way!!
I agree with the last comment. There is no way an Echo can go that fast with stock parts. The published specs for an Echo may give you that mileage rating, but there is no way you're gonna to get to 0 to 60 in that time!
I'm not so skeptical; those things weigh like 2000 lbs. and acceleration has a lot to do with your weight. By the way, does anyone know if there are performance upgrades for Echos?
I have read all the comments so far in this review. I know one thing, I bought my ECHO a week ago tomorrow, I travel a lot and love it so far. Once the break-in is passed on my car I will check out that time... I have a feeling he is correct, it's a snappy little car that rides like a bigger car, so far I have enjoyed it no end... but it is brand new! Almost bought a KIA but reconsidered!!!
I think the ECHO has the same 1.5 litre engine as the Yaris T Sport - if so, 0-60 in 9 seconds is more like it. Still pretty fast.
Mine is not THAT quick. Had it since Aug. 2001 and have had no problems. Great mileage and comfortable ride. Several 200 mile trips have been a real pleasure.
I think you'll all find that you are in different countries and that of you are using mph and others kmh. I think when he says 0-60 in 6.5secs he is referring to kmh and everyone else is thinking miles. I've seensome performance details published which say 0-60mph (0-100kmh) in 11.4secs.
The above review does specify miles per hour (MPH) in its acceleration figure.
Although 0-60 MPH in 6.5 seconds still seems too fast for this car, it appears that the Echo _can_ reach 60 MPH in less than 9 seconds. In a February 2000 review, Car and Driver magazine said that "the 2128-pound Echo hits 60 MPH in 8.5 seconds." In September 2000, Motor Trend reported that "with the five-speed, our tester hit 60 MPH in just 8.4 seconds."
I have an 2002 standard Echo. Being my first manual tranny I don't think I'll get it up to 60 in 8.5 any time soon. But I have learned to shift pretty fast (if I don't stall off first that is), and this car is fast. It may not sound like a fast car cause it is after all a 1.5l engine, but it performs very well. Another thing about it is that system. the stock 6" by 9"s are very loud and bassy. My friends ask me if I have a woofer all the time.
Anyways I was just wondering if anyone knows if there are any performance after-market parts for an Echo, (the guys at the race shop laughed at me!) I'm not expecting much, but I wouldn't mind a nice cold-air intake, or performance headers, anything to get those horses over 120, to shut my friends up!
0-60 would take place in 6.5 seconds ONLY if the vehicle were dropped off a cliff. Which, given the appearance of these vehicles, seems appropriate.
Don't forget that although the volume is only 1.5 liter, the horse power is 108, that means 1 liter generates 72 hp. Many other cars only have 115hp with bigger volume like 2.2 liter. Horse power should be right parameter to judge this question consider this is so small a car.
There are turbo kits out, just go to google. com and type "toyota echo turbo" you should get a page up that shows an echo that has been turbocharged and has {172/WHP}
which shoud translate into a traction pending mid to low 14 second 1/4 mile!to give a couple examples of such performers. EX WRX, BOXTER, AUDI TT + S4, POWER TO WEIGHT IS THE KEY WITH GAZ PRICES! if you're an enthusiast who still want a house and a fast car this is the best choice.
Mtlmarkanthony:}
You can get a performance header by calling spd racing at 1-866-773-7227, they can get a japanese 5-zigen header for you, it bumped my 2k echo to 107 whp and went on without any problems you can also buy an intake at nopi.com, which takes you up to 115 whp, it dropped my et to a low to mid 16 in the 1/4 mile. there is also a body kit available at procarparts.com, and suspension upgrades at nopi. com to help get rid of the annoying body roll, I've got the turbo on order so i'll leave another comment when I see how it does.
Hey everyone! I have a 2001 coupe Echo and I think it has great acceleration for a stock car. Even better, I added a Weapon-R cold air intake, which boosts the acceleration even more, and a big Double GT aluminum spoiler, Which helps out a lot when taking fast turns or driving in windy weather. Anyone know where I can get a body for it? I know street-weaponcan make custom kits, but I don't plan on spending that much...
Natasha.
It's all in the power/weight ratios, not just the power or the volume of the engine. It probably has a light flywheel and a final drive ratio that helps it zip up to speed quickly. A problem I've experienced in cars like these is that the power diminishes when you reach high speeds... as you drive, you think "where did the engine go?" Unless the 5th gear is tall enough, I bet the engine buzzes at a pretty high RPM at highway speeds.