Ok, I need a new car. I’m all about major fuel economy. I’ve liked all the Toyotas I’ve owned. I’m also all about reliability.
This is an unexpected thing. Mrs. Undisputed was the recipient of a rear-ending accident which totalled her car. I already have two other car payments and so I really can’t spend much (If I could, I’d for sure buy a Toyota Prius).
The local dealer here has a 2003 Echo, 4-dr, with 6500 miles. No frills. It has A/C, power steering and that’s about it. It’s spartan. I’m all about that, too. I drove it. Feels pretty tight and handles well.
They are asking $10,900 and I’m thinking about offering $9500.
Given my experience with a Toyota Tercel (which the Echo replaced), I’d sure go for it. My '94 Tercel, which I still have, is the most reliable, most trouble-free car I’ve ever owned.
I’ve also got a 94 Tercel that’s got 142,000 miles on it and hasn’t had any major problems. The seats have torn up quicker than I thought they would, but mechanically it’s been great.
I would say that in terms of economy and reliability that the echo is good, thouh a 2 year old Corolla or a Honda Civic would be just as reliable get excellent Gas mileage and might be a little more conventional. But if you like the Echo then there is no reason not to get it. I actually would be a bigger fan of it we had the Hatchback version like they have in Europe and are getting in canada.
Dale, I’m so sorry to hear about the Mrs’s accident! Is she okay??
I’ve never owned a Toyota (could never afford one! ), but I’ve had friends who’ve had them and they LOVED them. They ran up the miles, and didn’t even worry about it. They were good on fuel economy as well.
One thing I would suggest - since I don’t know how much you know about cars - if need be, and you have a friend who knows about such things, you might want to bring them to look at the car. There’s also the option of checking its history at carfax.com, though I personally have never tried that particular site, so I can’t speak from experience…
Personally, I have a little ‘92 Hyundai Excel (I’m the original owner). The ol’ thing is still going, somehow, after some 72,000 miles. It’s good on gas, and I understand the newer ones are even better in that regard. I can fit my whole sound system in it (with some effort…). And I think a new one will probably be around the same price as, or a little more than, they’re asking for the Toyota - and includes a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, I think… Just a thought… From what I’ve heard, though, the Toyota will probably last longer…
In any case, good luck in whatever you decide, and our best regards to the Mrs!
Dale, did you check the Blue Book value of this vehicle? http://www.kbb.com/
I came up with a Private Party Value of $10,040.
Your offer sounds in line.
I say, bring an out-of-tune whistle to play it might help with your negotiation.
FWIW-- when we were looking for a car for Char, we checked out the Echo since she had been very happy with a Toyota. We were disappointed with the car since it could not be ordered with any desirable options such as power windows. This was back when the Echo first came out, and may no longer be the case.
We owned a Tercel wagon we bought in 1984 and it ran forever. It was a sad day when I had to take it out behind the barn and put it out of its misery.
brewerpaul is correct–options are limited. This is, of course, a slightly used vehicle and so I can’t get options anyway. It is as tripped down and spartan a vehicle as I’ve seen. I kind of like that because, my attitude is, the more bells &, uh, whistles, the more stuff to break down.
Well, I’m taking the Undisputed Missus out to take a look at it today and I’ll see if I can deal. I think I’ll offer 9000 and see where it goes.
I’m a satisfied Toyota owner myself. Just sent you some info via email. Good luck shopping. Car buying is way up there on my list of things I dread doing.
Actually, there are a couple of just slightly more important questions
How did it do in crash tests? In the small car market you really have to look at that. I had an extremely reliable 91 Escort I’d been driving forever (it had 175,000 miles on it and was only just beginning to use oil). When a woman tried to pass me while I was making a left turn, and totalled the car, I was all set to by another Escort until I checked the crash test ratings. Turned out there was a reason she crushed my door and pillar in until they were just touching my body without even scratching her small car… Needless to say I didn’t buy another Escort.
As a used car, what’s the history on it? Even though it’s a late model (maybe especially because it’s a such a late model) you want to make sure it hasn’t been in a flood. I live in North Texas and everytime there’s major flooding down south our car lots suddenly have a surplus of late-model used cars. Those flood victims seem fine until the major rust starts popping out a year or so later… I won’t buy a used car anymore without checking it out with carfax.
Consumer Reports says it’s a great car. Top ratings in everything from all-around liability and crash test reports. I know less about cars than I do Irish Music, but I would buy an Echo in a NY minute.
), but I’ve had friends who’ve had them and they LOVED them. They ran up the miles, and didn’t even worry about it. They were good on fuel economy as well.
From what I’ve heard, though, the Toyota will probably last longer…
