Yes its a Toyota Echo.....

[nsx_23]

So here's my car. Took these images when I was at the car wash:







Yes, I know its only a little hatchback, and it only has a 1.3L engine.....

I had a Honda Jazz before this, but that got written off because I got T-boned by a fuckwit trying to run a red light, which left me seriously injured after and to this day I still suffer back pain, knee pain and minor memory issues (I slammed my head against the B-pillar hard since the car spun around and crashed into a light post). But anyway, such is life.

I bought this car through one of my sister's friends, who was leaving for the UK for a while due to work and as a result needed to sell her car fast and cheap. Its in mechanically excellent condition, but the car got keyed by some drunk dudes at the pub, so I'm hoping to give it a respray when I can afford to do so.

I intend to keep the car for a while since its something I could actually afford to run myself. Its good on fuel (6.8L/100km), reasonably good to drive since its manual (the auto is absolutely gutless), easy to park in the city and certainly has a little bit of character thanks to the funky interior layout. I've grown to really like the center-mounted instruments

I am contemplating getting a set of alloy wheels and maybe some simple suspension upgrades for the hell of it, but the bodywork is my no.1 priority to fix. A new stereo with aux-in is on my list of things to do this summer as I'm sick of constantly burning new CDs...

I often cop flak for buying the Echo instead of an old classic car, but my problem is that I can't afford to run a classic sports car even though I'd like to, and having not much space at home I can't exactly work on my own car. Besides, I'd rather save for my dream attainable car - a BMW E39 M5. My other future upgrade could, however, be a Renault Clio sport or an MX5 with some tweaks.

[thevictor390]

If Gran Turismo is to be believed those things aren't nearly as slow as you expect them to be, it will be interesting to see what you can do with it.

[nsx_23]

If you're willing to work the gearbox, the engine's actually got quiet a bit of punch above 3K.

The engine is pick on on what gear you're in. If you're in the right gear, she'll go pretty good. If you're in too high a gear though, it can be unforgiving....

I can often beat falcons and commodores when getting onto the freeway though .

If I ever get the money, I'd definitely toy with the idea of swapping a 1.8 celica engine into it. The
Echo sportivo hatch received the 1.5L from the sedan, so the 1.8 should be able to fit.

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

If you're willing to work the gearbox, the engine's actually got quiet a bit of punch above 3K.

The engine is pick on on what gear you're in. If you're in the right gear, she'll go pretty good. If you're in too high a gear though, it can be unforgiving....

I can often beat falcons and commodores when getting onto the freeway though .

If I ever get the money, I'd definitely toy with the idea of swapping a 1.8 celica engine into it. The
Echo sportivo hatch received the 1.5L from the sedan, so the 1.8 should be able to fit.

My grannie has the auto and good lord it's slow, like nearly 14 seconds to 100km.

Also, lol Monash parking permit - Caulfield one is the biggest waste of fucking money ever (you never get a park)

[nsx_23]

Yeah, the auto is absolutely hopeless. The manual box is alright, but can be a bit stiff when cold.

[rowd22]

Nice car.

My mate has one very similar to yours, and he gets probably double the distance with the same amount of fuel as me. Old cars are awesome, but if you're just using it as a daily driver, newer cars use wayyy less fuel

[epp_b]

My brother schmucked one of those at an intersection (Echo driver's fault). The owner was a dick who got witnesses to say what he wanted them to, so he won.

[nsx_23]

^Well, I'm not a dick

[Posmo]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

Yeah, the auto is absolutely hopeless. The manual box is alright, but can be a bit stiff when cold.

I've driven one of those a couple of times, and the no 1. prevailing memory is the HORRIBLE gearchange. It's extremely plasticky and feels like every componen in the gear linkage is bending when you change. Every gearchange is also accompanied with plastic, hollow "klonk" sounds.. Not good in my opinion. The instrument panel is a split opinion for me. I love the digital dials, but the positioning is really bad.. Also, I would remove the hubcaps if I were you. black steelies look surprisingly good on a black car

[Donington]

The Yaris as it was known as here was car of the year when it was first built, so it can't be all bad.

[Posmo]

Originally Posted by Donington

The Yaris as it was known as here was car of the year when it was first built, so it can't be all bad.

May I present you with the 2005 Car of the Year:








Yeah..

[nsx_23]

Originally Posted by Posmo

I've driven one of those a couple of times, and the no 1. prevailing memory is the HORRIBLE gearchange. It's extremely plasticky and feels like every componen in the gear linkage is bending when you change. Every gearchange is also accompanied with plastic, hollow "klonk" sounds.. Not good in my opinion. The instrument panel is a split opinion for me. I love the digital dials, but the positioning is really bad.. Also, I would remove the hubcaps if I were you. black steelies look surprisingly good on a black car

Yeah, the gearbox is pretty shit, but I've gotten used to it.

The travel to 5th gear is really werid, so sometimes I am left wondering whether I'm in 3rd or 5th gear.

Its no Ferrari F355 from that point of view....

Originally Posted by Hidden_Hunter

Also, lol Monash parking permit - Caulfield one is the biggest waste of fucking money ever (you never get a park)

Clayton parking is awesome, especially the engineering multi-storey parking. You can always get a parking spot.

[Hidden_Hunter]

Originally Posted by nsx_23

Its no Ferrari F355 from that point of view....

wait what, since when

[Hemihead]

My mother-in-law have one of those, a bright red one. She got flak from the mechanics that she don't use the brakes enough, apparently she is a VERY careful driver and never pushes the car. So, i took it for a spin and made sure that it got it's fair share of inspired driving. It's pretty fun to drive when you floor it, even if it can feel a bit wobbly at breaking and turning at the same time. When i returned it the brakes were almost glowing, i had found out that it was capable of hitting 105 km/h in second gear and stride through corners with a slight powerslide without tipping over. The fun part is that the car ran better than ever when she got it back, guess that it needed to blow some gloop out of the system.

[Posmo]

Originally Posted by Hemihead

My mother-in-law have one of those, a bright red one. She got flak from the mechanics that she don't use the brakes enough, apparently she is a VERY careful driver and never pushes the car. So, i took it for a spin and made sure that it got it's fair share of inspired driving. It's pretty fun to drive when you floor it, even if it can feel a bit wobbly at breaking and turning at the same time. When i returned it the brakes were almost glowing, i had found out that it was capable of hitting 105 km/h in second gear and stride through corners with a slight powerslide without tipping over. The fun part is that the car ran better than ever when she got it back, guess that it needed to blow some gloop out of the system.

Anyway, you reminded me about another thing on those cars, when doing handbrake turns, it feels like the car is JUST about to tip over to it's side. It's actually quite scary

[sifu]

well you havent driven a car thats about to tip over until you drive a 2CV or Visa from citroen family...

[matyas]

My father has a Yaris also, it was built in 2005, but same model as yours except 4 door.

I have driven now 3 cars in my life, Yaris, W115 and W126. And while I love the mercedes, I don't think the Yaris is bad. I really like the fact that you can doo 700km+ on a 45L tank. And the gearbox in it is way better than the manual in the w115 at the moment. The only things I dislike about it is the width of the car, as I am a big guy, and the fact that you can't change the front lightbulbs easily. Okay...and I like my gigantic steering wheels and long bonnet...

[Hemihead]

Originally Posted by Posmo

Anyway, you reminded me about another thing on those cars, when doing handbrake turns, it feels like the car is JUST about to tip over to it's side. It's actually quite scary

Yeah, handbrake turns is something i would avoid, but making the rear wheels slightly slide over the asphalt is just a bonus.

[prizrak]

A friend of mine had a 4 door one of these. Wrought it off when he smashed into someone trying to make a turn

[nsx_23]

Originally Posted by matyas

and the fact that you can't change the front lightbulbs easily.

Oh, tell me about it.....

I wouldn't mind swapping in a set of slightly more powerful bulbs for night driving, and I cannot for the life of me reach into the front LHS bulb thanks to the uber-tiny gap......

The little Echo can actually be half decent to piff into corners, but yeah, the bodyroll can be a bit scary