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zakspeed:
let me break it down. the ECHO hatch engine is no different from the echo sedan 4 dr. or even the bottom of the line CE hatch. the engine is still a 1NZ-FE (the body code is NCP10, i think). the so called top of the line echo engine that toyota made. there will not be any parts offered here in canada anytime soon. since the car is only offered in canada and not the USA, it will be some time before the echo trend catches (thats if it does catch. thats why canadas gettin the echo hatch. we testin the market. we the lab rats, you dig?)
fortunaly for you, the VITZ/YARIS is a VERY popular car in europe and in japan. so aftermarket parts are a plenty if you got links overseas. the only parts offered now are the TRD packages (strut tower bars front/rear, eibach springs lowered 1.3", tokico shocks, and if you trd muffler tip.).
as for cosmetic reasons, the RS trim line will have the side skirts and spoiler with leather steering wheel with matchin shifter knob. a HUGE advantage would be the seats. the fabric is MUCH MUCH better than the stock ones from the CE/LE. and the side bolster is slightly better. if its worth the extra 1600$ that you gotta reason with yourself. since the seats sit higher than any other cars, gettin aftermarket seats (eg: recaro, sparco, bride, etc.) would change the over all seat height by ALOT ! when you chk out that car(or test drive it) you will notice the seats are seated SUPER high !!soo high that when you exit the car, your thighs will be parallel with the ground. kinda hard to explain, you gotta just try it to understand.
the 4 dr version will have power locks, and 2dr version will have manual locks. you cannot add power locks to the 2 dr version and cannot remove the power locks in the 4 dr. there is also NO power windows for any trim level. its not even an option. there is also no TACH or temp gauge.
if your looking for a civic killer, this is the WRONG car to buy buddy. if your looking for something different with a budget, then hey cant go wrong ! 1.5L 108hp under 20,000$ on the road. hey, cant argue there !
if you want the turbo kit. i really doubt they gonna bring one out. lets just look at the toyota line up. they're really not marketing towards the sport car line as aggresivly as Honda or saturn. they got the celica line and the MR-S line. to put a low budget sports car line in a market where there is no demand would be a risky step. thats why they wanna test the waters in canada with the hatch. if you want the turbo power, and you wanan smoke hondas, you wanna see their mouths drop when you spot at a red light with the blow off valve going off then yea, IMPORT BABY !! order them from japan, its pretty straight forward to install since its designed for that engine anyways ! i would buy the RS echo if they had the turbo here in a heartbeat. but they dont, and i really dont htink they will in the next 5 years. so, in the meantime gotta play with the ae86 until it dies (or until i find a SUPER mint s13 !!).
IMHO, wait till there is a larger market or at least a larger demand in the aftermarket industry that will justify companies to produce products here to tune the rather weak 1.5L. lets all be honest here, a 1988 honda civic can go faster backwards then a echo 1.5L. echo has a redline of 6grand, civics can reach 7 easily. so it buy it for show, its not a really good track car (without the turbo.).
im sorry for the rant, and im sorry if my sentences done make sense. its been awhile since i had to write. im just typing as tho im speaking. i gotta improve on that soon and fast ! hahaha.
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