EARTHY CAR OF THE WEEK: 2003 Blue Toyota Echo

2003 Toyota Echo, Sedan, Blue, 51620 mi, $7,900 http://bit.ly/lxFLz5 Subcompact, 4-spd automatic, MPG = 28/36

The Toyota “Echo” was an alternate name for the first generation Toyota Yaris.

This Toyota Echo is double ideal for those who are looking for a vehicle that will save money. Why?

First, it is priced at just $7,900 – one on the lowest priced vehicles on our lot right now. And it only has 51, 620 miles on it, low for a 2003 vehicle.

Second, the Echo/Yaris model is one of the most fuel efficient fuel powered vehicles that has been on the market in recent years. This Echo can get up to 36 miles to the gallon. With rising gas prices, driving around this vehicle would save someone a lot in gas money.

It has a 4 cylinder engine with 108 horsepower, lots of power for a subcompact car. The interior is roomier compared to other subcompact vehicles, and there are several clever storage spaces. The design of the Echo is a bit funky and holds appeal to the young crowd. And of course, as a subcompact, it is easy to park.

So if you’re looking for a tiny, affordable, fuel-efficient, and/or funky car, look no further than this Echo.

-Isa R. Bufano, social media manager of Earthy Cars

FEATURES / SPECS:
Yahoo! Autos: http://autos.yahoo.com/toyota/echo/2003/4-door-sedan/features.html

Vehix.com: http://www.vehix.com/car-reviews/2003/toyota/echo/4dr-sdn-auto/standard-equipment
http://www.vehix.com/car-reviews/2003/toyota/echo/4dr-sdn-auto/vehicle-specifications

AOL Autos: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Toyota-Echo-2003/equipment/

MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Spec_Glance.aspx?year=2003&make=Toyota&model=ECHO&trimid=96603#trimsel
VIRTUAL TOUR:
AOL Autos: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Toyota-Echo-2003/photos/?tab=exterior&style=Sedan

USER REVIEWS:
MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com/research/userreviews/reviewlist.aspx?modelid=10593&trimid=96602

EXPERT REVIEWS:
MSN Autos: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/review.aspx?year=2003&make=Toyota&model=ECHO&cp-documentid=434945

New Car Test Drive via AOL Autos: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Toyota-Echo-2003/expert-review/

“The funky-looking little Echo is the least expensive way to drive a new Toyota. You won't wow your friends with this one, but it will give you Toyota's quality, durability and reliability starting at less than $10,000.

The Toyota Echo comes with a spunky four-cylinder engine that can achieve over 30 mpg around town. You get front-wheel drive, a nicely tuned suspension that delivers the ride of a much larger vehicle, and Toyota's anti-vibration tricks that make the car amazingly smooth at highway speeds.”

“[The Echo] wasn't designed for looks. It was designed for comfort, convenience, safety and affordability. So it's tall. Way tall. Unheard of tall for a subcompact. Like, taller than a Cadillac, which is much, much longer.

With one swift, upward stroke, Toyota designers have erased the biggest factor against owning a small car: that feeling that other vehicles could squash you like a bug. In the Echo, it no longer feels like everyone is bigger and faster than you.
You might also be passing them, propelled by your smooth, energetic, high-tech, 108-horsepower, politically correct LEV (Low-Emissions Vehicle) engine.”

“You might also congratulate yourself on your own minimalist efficiency each time you climb inside, which, with Echo's low floor and high roof, is easy. There's not one gauge or button or knob or display more or less than is needed. The instrument binnacle is strikingly clean and simple, with a speedometer having handsome black-on-white lettering reminiscent of a Lexus, glowing bluish at night. Seven little round black dots, warning lights, are bunched so they look sort of like a domino on the dash. The digital clock is easy to read. There's no tachometer (that's a frill) but there is a rev limiter (which is not).” “Possibly the most astonishing characteristic of the Echo is that you might find yourself going way fast without knowing it. On a curvy two-lane stretch where we carefully respect the law by driving no faster than 60 even in the straight sections, we glanced over (not down) at the speedometer and were startled to see 72 mph. Not once, but twice.

Another outstanding feature that contributes to this subcompact phenomenon is the super ride quality. MacPherson struts and coil springs in front, with torsion beams in back, allows the 2020-pound Echo to glide over bumps. Against a pothole your teeth can get rattled as in almost any other car, but the Echo feels tough, and takes the hit like a bantamweight boxer standing up to a jab.”

“Even with all its highway strengths, it's hard to imagine a better city car than the Echo… Because the competition is solid, Toyota might not have fired a shot that echoes 'round the world, but it's a great little blast.”

RELIABILITY:
The Toyota Echo has above average reliability ratings in most areas:

Yahoo! Autos: http://autos.yahoo.com/toyota/echo/2003/4-door-sedan/reliability.html

AOL Autos: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Toyota-Echo-2003/reliability/

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