Used 2002 Toyota ECHO Consumer Reviews
Wonderful car for basic transportation
This has been a super reliable vehicle. The 1NZ-FE engine has a timing chain, not a belt. The tires are small and very inexpensive... it's cheap to own and cheap to maintain in all aspects. I love the simplicity and basic nature of this car. Just change the fluids at the appropriate intervals and enjoy the car.
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I Love My Car!
I have had my Echo since 2004 and I absolutely love it! It is zippy and gets wonderful gas mileage. It runs great and is a trooper in the snow (and We get a lot of snow where I live too). I recently took it to the local Toyota dealer for inspection and they said everything is still in great shape. I know when it comes time to buy a new car, it will be a sad day for me to part with my Echo.
- BaseMSRP: $3,450629 mi away
- Base CoupeMSRP: $6,9001,101 mi away
- Base CoupeMSRP: $2,9991,145 mi away
Best car I've ever had.
I have had many cars in my life... from Mercedes Benz to Volvos to Nissan and Hondas. But boy did I ever own a Toyota? Not until now. I'm 40 and I can tell you reliability and Toyota go together. This little car goes. 5 Speed Standard. 350 miles per tank!! That's driving all over Houston for 10 days non-stop to the point where you forget what the car rolls on! And finally you remember to look at the fuel gauge... why? Because after 10 days of nothing but driving you are no longer concerned about gas or prices or even worrying about re-fueling. Cold A/C... small; easy to change the oil by yourself, brakes,etc... cheaper to fix... and it's a Toyota. Yep, reliable (period).
Love our Echos!
We purchased an Echo and I was jealous of my husband driving it, that we bought a second one six months later!! The maneuverability is fantastic. Repairs have been minimal, just normal tires, etc. the gas mileage cannot be beat. We are selling both of them now for a larger vehicles to carry grandchildren! We had intended to continue driving our His and Hers Echos for many years to come!
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Esther Echo
Purchased our Echo in 2014 and is a 2002... 2 door model..... If your ok with a basic model that this is the car for you....it would be a great car to start you teenage driver on given the no frills model and the great reliability of the Toyota product. Great manueverability in town (parks great) ... I get 40 mpg on the hiway and have gone 400 plus miles on a tank of gas....Saaweeeeeet! I wish they would have included intermittent wipers on the instrument package though and the AC is great for the hot days but climbing grades it is better to shut it off for better engine performance given the 1.5 liter size of the motor. Overall, we are happy with our little Esther the Echo.
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I Love my Little Echo
Bought this car new in 2002, and it has been across the country twice. Bought it because it can hold a 5-piece drum set with hardware, and a roadie. Awesome MPG, gets 43mpg on the highway with the AC on. Handles like a little tank in the snow (with studded snow tires). Lots of headroom, nice height of the vehicle floor. You don't bruise your thighs getting into our out of the car, you can just turn and step out. Instrument panel is center, not behind the steering wheel, which is supremely excellent design. Rugged, spartan interior— not always the most comfortable on long drives, but adding your own soft things makes it totally fine. I love this car and intent to drive it until it turns to compost.
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Excellent little car
When I bought it in 2002 it was all I could afford. Now 7 years later I do not want to drive anything else. Not a single problem and great fuel economy on top of that. Add trouble free driving in the brutal Alberta winters to the list of praise. Being handed off to my girls now and I am sure they will get another 7 years of trouble free driving.
32 mpg since when
The Edmunds review says 32 mpg. The Echo seems to have a variable mileage with actual mileage being closer to the 32 mark in sub-zero weather. However in actual driving here in Wisconsin I consistently get 40-42 mpg. Above 50 degrees I have gotten as much as 44 mpg. lately on a vehicle with over 110,000 miles on it. Funky steering in the wind, funky looking, but very roomy inside and well-built body. I'd buy one again in a heartbeat and no I'm not selling the one I have.
Light as a feather and a lifesaver
"Wow it's zippy!" were my first words when I first drove this car. The acceleration is very responsive, the small engine was more than enough for this featherweight (just beware strong wind and rain), and it got better mileage than most hybrids. It's certainly stylish, and although the interior is lackluster, the high instrument panel to the right of the driver allowed for better eye contact with the road. For eight years, with regular oil changes and diagnostics, I never had a single problem with the car until I drove the car into another. The front crumpled, saving my life, but it crumpled far too easily and the car was totaled while the other car barely got a scratch.
They go forever!
Strong running engine. Mine is all manual including windows, door locks, etc. With regular maintenance these cars will go forever.
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Best Car EVER!
I bought this 2002 Toyota Echo for my daughter in 2005. It had 59K miles on it then. After 5 years and another 50K miles, this car runs like new! Oil changes and a new set of tires are the only $ invested. Its bright red color & peppy drive make people ask what kind of car is that? After she graduates from college, I will buy my daughter a new car & I plan to drive this ECHO until the wheels fall off, even though I doubt it will happen. On her 1200 mile trips to college, she gets around 45 MPG. I think the ECHO may be one of the best built cars ever made. I'm hoping to get over 300,000 miles on this car. You cannot go wrong buying a Toyota Echo.
MPG 41-47 (5 tests)
My manual 2002 4dr Echo has 175K now. I did 5 tests on mpg w/different routes and cargo load (from just one driver to 1 driver + 8 scuba tanks and a scooter). The roads are country, FL. Burned some 3/4 of a tank, read receipts for exact difference and read the odometer. None of the tests indicated lower than 40 mpg and the highest I've ever recorded was 47. For 175K replaced parts were: burned cabin fan resistor, 3 sets of tires (worn), cracked windshield (gravel), dozen w-shield wipes, oil change. Best of all - I paid it off 2 yrs ago. None of the new cars come close to the performance and "True Cost 2 Own", not even Yaris nor Honda Fit.
Great Car!
This car is tops! I got an ECHO in 2001 for Christmas, I've never had a problem with it (other than a recall in 2006). Starts up in bad weather and is a great car for teens. Cheap to maintain and the gas mileage is wonderful. I drove from Madison to Chicago and back (~350miles) and still had 1/4 tank of gas left! Very roomy, especially the trunk. People are always surprised how much room is in that small of a car. Extremely reliable and REALLY fun to drive (5 speed manual)!
Best car for first time driver
I bought this car for my wife for her to learn how to drive, not only was she comfortable, it was fun to drive. We even took it from NY to North Carolina and Virginia Beach. We made a great trip, Never had any problem with it. and Gas consumption, on that trip was over 36 mpg and in city is around 32-35. Very easy to park, and to find park for. This car was a great experience for us.
I beg to differ with you on this one
I love the car and most people who ride in it are plesently surprised at the roominess, comfort and gas mileage. Until we can get some of the more stylish small cars from Europe, I will continue to enjoy my Echo. When it's paid off, I will keep it for just commuting to work and get something else for show.
Was a great first car!
First car for me - our family’s 2002 Echo 5 speed manual. It could do so much, had TONS of space for its size, for both cargo and passengers. Amazing gas mileage - high 30’s driving conservatively. Wind and road noise was obviously high, and it would have just been nice to have electric windows, not manual.
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Excellent car
I bought this ECHO when I couldn't find a car that I liked to replace my aging and malfunctioning VW Golf GTI VR6. I have to disagree with Edmunds review of the ECHO. Handles well; roomy and extremely comfortable. (I'm 6'4''.) Excellent pick-up and great gas mileage. Performs very well in bad weather especially on snowy and slick roads. I don't love it like my GTI but I am extremely satisfied with it. I find it very fun to drive. Driven it on city streets (where it excels), rural backroads and busy interstates and it handles all very well. It's neither gorgeous nor glamorous but it is a great little workhorse.
I LOVE THIS CAR
This baby car as I call it is so easy and fun to drive. I have had no problems. It gets me where I want to go. Great gas mileage. Plenty of space for me and all the kids I drive around. I really love Toyotas. My first Toyota lasted 18 years, and this is my second.
Great car
Purchased for my wife and now we fight over who will drive. I always drove big cars but this drives like a big car and the reliability and gas mileage and looks have won me over. You get more than you pay for in this car.
Most Reliable Car Ever
This car is very reliable and besides normal maintenance, have hardly done any repairs on it in my four years of ownership. I`m 6`4" so it`s roomy except a little tight for the legs. This car has great fuel economy, so it`s great for trips. The car is surprisingly agile and very nervous for it`s size. I use it mainly for driving to work, trips on occasion and as my winter car.
Gone but not forgotten
This is an epitaph as our "toy car" was recently totaled while parked on the street. At 93K miles, we had done oil changes and a $150 brake job. We enjoyed 2+ years with no payment or service needs. Was a great city car and always an adventure going 70 mph with a cross wind. It had 100% more charisma than any other sub compact from then or now. She will be missed. Probably moving into a civic. BORING
Who needs a Smartcar??!
When I drive my Echo, I forget that it is a 1.5 liter VVT-i and not a sports car. I was surprised when I test drove it, as I was expecting the response to compare to a Ford Tempo. The car has more interior room than my brothers 2008 Aveo, and my other brothers 2008 Focus! It is not the fastest car on the block, but it sure is fun to drive! I own the manual, so I wouldn't even want to ever drive an auto again!
2 door Toyota Echo 2001
Good qualities: The 2 door Toyota Echo 2001 is a fun car to drive - it zips around, up hills even with the AC on. It also has a fantastic 3 in 1 stereo system with 6 speakers. It stands a little higher off the ground, especially for a small car, which is very helpful in this era of SUVs. I am a large person, and the Echo fits me well, with plenty of head room and no need for a seatbelt extender. I also find the dashboard set up (with the MPH in the center of the dash) to be easier to read than peering through the steering wheel, and I love all the additional spaces built in to the dash.
Toy echo
This car is no longer in production. But I was lucky enough to get it when I did back in 2002. I am an average 6 foot man who could not fit into current small production cars with the exception of this one. The novel bubble egg shape design was a perfect fit and ONLY car to offer me headroom. I would buy it again if they made it.
We Love Our Echo
I am 62 years old, and I've owned a lot of cars. Our Echo is the best car we have ever owned. The ONLY weakness is on ice with a coating of snow, but I put studded snow tires on the front and the problem was solved. It is noisy on the highway, but it is an economy car, and and a really good one. I only wish that I could buy a brand new one exactly like it 5-6 years from now. I got rear ended by a ford ranger. There was more damage to the Ranger. The Echo takes a punch, too! It still has the factory battery in it. Seven years and still cranking.
Bring back the TOYOTA ECHO!!!
I discovered this sweet little car parked in my neighborhood and I became fixated. The fact that it is light blue didn't hurt. But mainly it looks like an old fashioned car like my grandparents used to drive. No bells, no whistles, no silly screen to confuse you. It is as comfortable as every Toyota I've ever driven (they're all great), and it runs great. Simple. No nonsense. You want the radio, you turn a knob. You want heat or A/C, you turn a knob right in front of you. Always in the same place on the dashboard. I am currently driving a 2006 Prius and, aside from being the ugliest and most prevalent car on the road, the dashboard is total confusion for me. I don't want or need to watch the engine perform. I don't want to change the screen every time I want to adjust the temperature or change a radio station. And it doesn't feel safe to drive. If I go over the slightest bump while my foot is on the brake, the Prius seems to lunge forward for an instant - very frightening indeed. And this has happened to me in two different Prius's I've owned. And it's a rough and bumpy ride, not smooth. I will never buy another Prius. I am ready to move UP to the wonderful little Echo, which has everything a car needs, and nothing more. I'm hoping to find a light blue one with low mileage. Still waiting.... People old on to their Echos because they're such great little cars. Toyota, please design a new Echo, just as wonderful as your old ones (2000 - 2005), with nothing changed, except maybe make it a hybrid!
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Toyota echo far more quality than Kia or Hyundi
There were Kia and Hyundi dealers saying don't buy the toyota echo back when it came out, and that the Korean made cars were better. Not even close. The complete opposite is true. Toyota's have been built for far longer, and have by far higher quality built into all the components that make a difference. Every one I knew that had a Kia or Hyundi had major break downs and problems with only poor quality parts available for replacement. With high labor costs added, they lost out big time, and had more money into it then the car was ever worth on resale. I still have the echo and have never had any major problems, and all the road trips are still 45 to 50 mpg.
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My lil buddy
My Echo is a GREAT car. I still get compliments. Ive had it since 2005 and its a 2003 model. No problems so far. I get all fluids and tires changed regularly. This is the best car I have ever had. Still running strong at 118000 miles. Gas mileage is better than my new car. Shes a keeper for life.
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Overall good car
This was my first car and I drove it for about three years. During that time span, I had a few problems with the A/C and it went through two alternators. We had the original alternator replaced, and one year later it needed another alternator. Otherwise, it was a good car. It was cheap to maintain and great on gas, but that's about it. I recently upgraded to a fully loaded Hyundai Elantra and it is day and night from the Echo in terms of comfort and features.
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2000 Toyota Echo 55000 miles on odo.
This Car is better than Honda Civic. I drove that Car. Other than hadeling there is nothing that is beter about 2002 lx except: Exterior looks and handling. I drove my friends 2002 lx. Echo rides better, gets better fuel economy, engine seems stronger ( I blow his doors off), than we swich cars and Echo still wins. His car is also manual. I pay a lot less for insurance than he does, both of us same agent, he is 1 year older, I even have one ticket and he does not, and we have identical policies. BUY THIS CAR.
Almost a Great car...
I bought my echo after driving a V6 Buick LeSabre so my numbers for performance and comfort may be a little biased, but the rest of my ratings are bluntly honest and accurate. Performance & comfort: has good acceleration from a standstill, but not so great at higher speeds (engine vibrates, whines, and often hesitates). Fun & economy: the Echo handles like a go-kart. Great for turns and navigating traffic, not so great at high speed or in bad weather. Gas mileage is good, close to what is expected. Design & quality & reliability: great interior styling, love the speedometer placement. Hate the exterior styling. It reminds me of a ride at disneyland. As for reliability, it's a Toyota.
Nice Little Car
A lovely little vehicle. I am 6'2" tall. I sit upright in the driver's seat, with plenty of room above the top of my hat. The only negative comfort feature is the foot rest for the left foot, sized for a midget. That can be uncomfortable, particularly for long drives. I waited three months for delivery of my Echo from Japan, in order to get an Antilock Braking System (ABS); a very worthwhile choice.
Gets me around
Good car until recently I had to spend $300 for a starter then 2 weeks later $1400 to repair the manual transmission. Needed bearings, ring block for 5th gear and a few other things. Mechanic said the original fluid was still in there after 140,000 miles. It should be replaced at least every 40,000 miles so I guess it was my fault. Otherwise a great car.
looks neat, runs well
A good value for the money, easy to drive and get in/out of.
love the toyota ECHO
Great little commuter car, very relible vehicle
More car for the money
I wish every purchase I made was half as good as this one. The only thing I could say I don't like about this car is that it's not sporty looking. This car is easy to step into and has plenty of head room and good acceleration with the manual transmission I bought.
ECHO'S ROCK
Edmunds.com review is SO WRONG! This car is cute, affordable and just plain great! I would buy 10!!!!!!
Excellent Investment
Totally satisfied with power, ride, and comfort. Goes over bumps and railroad tracks smoother than my previous larger car. Excellent visibility all around and more space than needed.
I heard an ECHO...and answered!
I couldn't be in more disagreement with the "professional" review for the ECHO (which came complete with an egregious spelling error.) My ECHO is red, and it looks like a rocket from the side. It handles very well in city traffic and on the highway. I love the roomy interior, I like the high seating the car affords, and I think the central location of the speedometer is pretty cool. The car has great pickup, it's fun to drive, and the price was right. The Edmunds review of the ECHO smacks of snobbery and elitism. If you want a cool, reliable, reasonably -priced auto, you can't go wrong with this car!
GREAT CAR
I love this car! It drives smoothly, and has lots of interior space/storage for a small car. Visibility is great, I like being up high. I'm glad it came stripped, because I can add the stereo and alarm I want without paying dealership prices for low quality equipment!
2002 Black Echo
I have to say that my Echo is a great driveing car . The car has so much power for a small car .The Echo is so much better then my Ford Focus was .I love the 5 speed it's so fun to shift and the get up and go is great .I get 42 MPG with the Echo .The A/C works great and the am/fm/cd is very nice .I don't know why edmunds had to say all the bad things about the Echo it's a GREAT CAR and it's a toyota so what more can you ask for .Edmunds say's to buy the honda well i went and drove the honda and the honda drove like a tin can next to the Echo .
Echo Fun
This vehicle is great for fuel economy and it is really a fun little car to drive. Nice size for parking in cramped places with surprizing room on the interior. Easy control for viewing of all instruments without losing sight of the road. Like the center readings for Miles per hour, temperature and, fuel guages. Really a neat little Car!!
Hatchback review from Sydney
Hi guys, after reading that the US don't have Hatchbacks I thought I would post my own review up, I have a silver hatchback Echo, 4 door, 1.3L engine that I purchased in July last year. It is an excellent car, I was trying to decide between it and the Daihatsu Sirion (both were same price, but the Sirion had electric everything + CD) but ended up going with the Echo for it's solid construction. I haven't regretted it, great car, very fun to drive, handles well, reliable and you can pack so much into it.
Toyota ECHO
I have owned this car for 15 months now and have had absolutely no trouble with it. It is an EXCELLENT small car, probably the best small car built in terms of quality, price, performance, and comfort.
A Home Run With Me
I bought this car new back in 2002 and quite frankly it was the first foreign car I've ever purchased. I always bought from GM, and at the time of purchase, the "Big Three" were making only gas guzzlers (the Geo Metro was phased out). So I was very apprehensive about buying foreign. Wow, my fears were unfounded. This car runs and runs and runs. I've got 80000 miles on it and the only thing I've done is put gas in it and change the oil every 6 months religiously. Absolutely no problems, not even a sensor light has come on. Love this car - would recommend this car to anyone - and I have, and two people have purchased this car used and they love it as well.
I love my ECHO!!!!
this is a fun little car to drive. My parents helped me purchise mine as a "going to college" car.
Best Car I Ever Owned
This car impresses. ECHO owners know that this car is a gem. This car brings a smile to my face! I previously owned a Tercel and a Honda Civic. The Tercel was a great car. The Civic my worst nightmare, lots of electrical problems. My ECHO is not only problem free but very fuel efficient at 32 miles per gallon. Best car on the road today.
Love My ECHO!
This is a fun little car to drive. Never a problem parking or driving in the city. People are surprised at the amount of interior space. I love having everything built in to the center console. I like how high the seating position is. Plenty of room for tall passengers and driver. I even enjoy the occasional visits to the gas station! Ha Ha!
Great Car
Love my Echo! I previously had a Dodge Pickup. I wanted something that got great gas mileage and also had a little bit of room. Echo was a great alternative to to the more expensive Hybrids. I never get less than 39 miles to the gallon (although I always use 93 octane gas). Echo is also very safe. I had an accident on the interstate in May where I was going about 40mph and hit the car in front of me (it was a 5 car accordian crash and I was the last one). The car abaorbed all the blow and I wasn't hurt or sore at all. I will soon be testing my Echo out when I drive it to Alaska in January. I have lived there before and think it will do well.
Loooooooooooove this car!
I've had my 2002 Echo for about 3 months now, and I can't get over how enjoyable it is to drive! It has a neat, fairly unique style; incredible interior room (for a 6'-2" person, that's a huge plus :-)); a very smooth, quiet ride (especially in comparison to my old Ford Festiva!); marvelously panoramic driver's view; wonderful get- up-and-go; and the mileage is terrific. The 6-speaker CD system is great, as are all the storage niches throughout the car. My highest recommendation to this little giant!