2003 Toyota Echo 1.3 petrol from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Terrific little city car

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

My daughters car, and she thrashes it. It is very reliable, great in traffic and feels like a shuttle car from the passenger side. But the Toyota reliability just keeps it going.

It is fairly responsive considering it is only a 1.3 litre engine. Keeps up with traffic easily and has a responsive automatic.

A bit noisy in the cabin (hence my shuttle car comment).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th February, 2008

2003 Toyota Echo 4 door from North America

Summary:

A nimble little car well suited for city driving and parking!

Faults:

Brakes worn after 56,000km.

Belts noisy at 50,000km.

Warranty recall to add more rustproofing to underside of body (cost covered by Toyota)

Lower plastic grille on front becomes partly detached at times.

General Comments:

This car is compact on the outside and large on the inside. I am 6' tall and the headroom is good, but still find the leg room cramped while driving with the seat all the way back.

This 4 door Echo takes up very little space in a single car garage.

The center mounted dash board gauges are a bit odd at first, but OK after a while.

This car strains a bit and makes some engine noise to go fast or pass, but it gets the job done when asked to do so. Cross winds tend to be an issue sometimes for road holding ability.

The trunk is roomy for a small car and the back seats fold down for more room.

The basic sound system speakers lack low end and high end. I know this is an entry level car, but I think it could have been a little bit better.

The seats are stiff and firm with a close knit fabric, perhaps a bit more longer lasting, but a bit short on comfort.

This car is good for low speed, around town or city driving. This car is small in some ways, but with the 15" wheels as an option, the driving height is about the same as a camry, this also makes entry and exit a breeze.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th August, 2006

2003 Toyota Echo from North America

Summary:

Friends hate it, you love it

Faults:

Rattle in the rear window.

Possible bearings in the alternator.

General Comments:

A great car, in every direction... except your friends. As they belittle you about driving an economy car, little do they know that you are paying half for your gas, half for repairs, and probably have more interior room.

Unless you've been in one before, don't comment on the interior room. It is massive, the trunk space is massive. The gas mileage is great, even while speeding. Cruise control is definitely a plus. No real repairs to date.

It is a very peppy car, beating all econo boxes in acceleration. The variable timing helps it cruise along with 4 passengers, even with the A/C on.

The only complaint I have is my friends who think otherwise!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st November, 2005

19th Dec 2005, 10:44

Ha ha... maybe you should consider trading your friends in for a better model! j/k.

I love the fact that I can go a week and a half without fueling up my little Echo. I'm aghast at what other people are paying to gas up their vans and SUVs. Maybe if your friends don't know the advantages of buying a reliable economy car, you should direct them to this site. The fewer people we have blowing around in gas guzzlers in this country, the better.

2003 Toyota Echo - 1.3 Litre petrol from Oman

Summary:

Highly Recommended Budget Car!

Faults:

Problems? Nil.

General Comments:

An outstandingly cheap car to own.

The ECHO lives up to the Toyota mark of quality cars.

All I spent in 2yrs of ownership was 1$ on the electric fuse.

Excellent fuel mileage, up to 30 kilometers per lite cross country.

Traveled over 2750 kilometers non-stop at an average speed of 140 kilometers per hour and without a single jerk or problem.

Highly Recommended Budget Car!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2005

29th Jun 2005, 19:00

Wow. It must be a good car if you did not even have to buy gas, only $1 on a fuse.

30th Jun 2005, 02:57

I said Cost of Ownership. Not expenses for the car. Fuel is counted towards expenses to the vehicle, not a liability.

1st Jan 2007, 14:24

Oh! up to 30km per liter fuel consumption? My echo 2001 is only 10 t0 12km per liter city driving.