Owners' Stories

My sister gave me her ECHO as a birthday present in 2004. I remember when she bought it, I used to make fun of it, calling it a girls car. Now, However, I wouldn't part with it if you payed me. I have driven this car cross country 5 times, and simply driven it through hell as a pizza delivery driver in the city, and she still refuses to give me even the slightest sign of trouble. It has driven on I-80 through the worst blizzard Iowa has seen in years, counting 80 cars and trucks that had slid off the road between Davenport and Des Moines. It amazes me every time how much stuff will actually fit inside it. SUVs and Trucks are for pansies. Give me a Toyota ECHO any day.

I've put my 2000 Echo through hell for the last ten years, & 195,000 miles. No parts have failed, until yesterday (the starter). Still have the original engine, transmission, alternator, a/c compressor, exhaust, etc. All summer, every summer, since year 2000, I used my Echo to tow a heavy landscaping trailer with heavy landscaping equipment every day of every summer... and still she keeps going. The owners manual says "do not tow with this vehicle", yet the car (with anti-lock brakes) tows just about anything... anywhere. Amazing car!!! I love it!

Most reliable car I ever owned. Ethanol corrupted gas gives me 38 mpg. Non ethanol gas gives me 45 mpg. Five speed stick, no frills. Changed radio to one with CD player. We tow the car periodically. Use Mobile One, Body is functional, gives good headroom. Brakes are adequate. Drive chain is staright forward, no problems. Emissions are - not tested in FL. Heat and ac are great. Steering is manual, so the wheel turns ate 5-1/2 lock to lock.

I purchased my 01 Echo used in May of 2005 from a dealer. It had 70K miles on it and has worked very well for four years. I have put 120K more miles on it. The 5 speed manual transmission just went out. I am currently shopping for a used transmission as that is the only replacement option.

I've had my Echo since 2000 when I bought it new. I would marry this car if it were legal. 'Nuff said. :-)

I purchased my Echo brand new in 2000, without even driving it first. It has been the most awesome car ever, never letting me down or disappointing me in any way. I took it from Colorado to the Netherlands to Ireland, driving it in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, England, Scotland, Wales, Luxembourg, and Ireland, and not once have I ever had a problem with it, despite the fact that I've been a terrible owner and have only really changed the oil five or six times. It's now got nearly 80,000 miles on it and let me tell you, it takes a beating and never once complains. When we moved to Ireland in June of this year we packed it to the gills, filling every available square inch of space that someone wasn't sitting in. The back end sunk so low we couldn't go over a speed bump slowly without bottoming out - and still, it got about 45 MPG and handled beautifully. It starts every time, without exception, and has never had any rattles or burps. It responds immediately to every maneuver, always willing to please. The dashboard is beautifully situated off to the side and facing me so it doesn't get in the way while I'm driving. There are enough pockets in the front compartment to store a plethora of items - whoever designed the Echo was a genius! I will drive mine until it falls to pieces. I love it so much and am so loyal (and grateful) to it that, rather than sell it, I have paid a small fortune to ship it to Europe, then Ireland, and am now getting ready to pay some more to ship it back to the US. I simply will not part with it. If you want a car that will *always* get you where you're going and never complain, the Echo is it. It has an amazing amount of trunk space - seriously, you wouldn't believe it. It doesn't look like it because the outside portion of the trunk looks short, but believe me, it holds three or four HUGE suitcases plus all sorts of miscellany. It's so well designed, and a pleasure to drive, and the gas mileage is incredible. I know it's rated in the low 40's but I consistently get 48-52 MPG (highway) despite its age and abysmal maintenance record. Before I bought my little red Echo I owned a Toyota Previa, and before that I had a Toyota Celica. All of them were amazingly designed and totally reliable cars, no matter what you do to them or how many miles they have on the clock. Wondering whether to buy an Echo? Do it! You'll never, ever regret it.