Owners' Stories
2003 Toyota Echo Stories
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2003 Toyota EchoVisitor, San Antonio, TX, August 27, 2011 15:38I bought the Toyota Echo a while back before gas prices went through the roof. My friends all taunted me about my decision to buy the Echo. Well, as I a poor college kid with poor college kid friends; I have had the last laugh!!! This car is amazing on gas and has not broken down on me!! I average about 50-60mi a day here, and yet my car cranks on without problem. The only trouble is the AC unit goes out, but minor compared to cheap gas and reliability.Flag ThisLike0
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2003 Toyota EchoVisitor, Seaside, CA, July 05, 2011 13:03I have 190,000 miles on my 2003 Echo without any major problems. I still get 31 MPG overall, she has been a great car and has held up extremely well. Total spent on maintenance in the last 8 years has been (rounded) $2300.00 Yes, like those below I love my Echo!Flag ThisLike0
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2000 Toyota EchoVisitor, San Francisco, CA, April 27, 2011 18:02My 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.Flag ThisLike0
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2005 Toyota EchoVisitor, Cabo Rojo, PR, December 01, 2010 03:54My concern is about the spark plug....should i replace and how often? I have echo 2005Flag ThisLike | 4 people like this4
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2000 Toyota EchoVisitor, Linthicum Heights, MD, November 11, 2010 02:45I'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!Flag ThisLike0
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2001 Toyota EchoVisitor, Arlington Heights, IL, April 28, 2010 06:04Great little car. It"s like the Energizer Bunny.. It just keeps going and going.... Great gas Mileage ......great internal design....Put the back seats down and haul lumber with trunk open...The guys in pick-up trucks are amazed ! My Lil" Echo Rocks !Flag ThisLike0
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2002 Toyota Echovader, Davenport, FL, November 09, 2009 01:41Most 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.
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2000 Toyota Echobks9597, Henderson, NV, August 27, 2009 11:18This is the most reliable car I have ever owned. Over 160,000 miles and only pads, oil have been changed. The a/c just went out, but oh well.
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2001 Toyota Echotjo49770, Petoskey, MI, April 28, 2009 01:34I 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.
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2000 Toyota EchoKennyG, Philadelphia, PA, April 12, 2009 06:01I purchased my Echo new in 2000, and have been extremely happy with it. I am over 6 feet tall, and am impressed by the head room and leg room in this little car. The gas mileage is great and it is an excellent "city car". My only slight concern is that it squeeks and groans a bit when passengers get out of the vehicle.
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2000 Toyota Echocrazy4disney, Pearland, TX, March 27, 2009 16:01I've had my Echo since 2000 when I bought it new. I would marry this car if it were legal. 'Nuff said. :-)
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2003 Toyota Echoraybar, South Glens Falls, NY, January 28, 2009 18:27very good car. mileage.a good car
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2000 Toyota Echonachtjenevel, Charlottesville, VA, October 27, 2008 14:38I 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.
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