2000 Echo, 150k miles. Two questions: clutch, and maintenance intervals

[theirongiant]

Hello Toyota Fans! My girlfriend owns a 2000 Echo with 150,000 miles on the clock. I drive and maintain my own BMW with 204,000. Both of us drive stick.

I've got two questions here today:

First, a question about the clutch. In my car, I'm used to a very stiff clutch pedal--it feels "heavy" and offers plenty of resistance. When I switch to my girlfriend's car, it doesn't take much to push it and get disengaged. Most of the time, I have to press the pedal really close to the floor to get disengagement. Is this because it's an Echo (read: economy car)? Or, is there something genuinely wrong? How long do the master / slave cyliners last on this car? What are some signs that the clutch disc might need to be changed?

Secondly, I have a question about the maintenance intervals. Her car is due for service at 150,000 miles; while I could certainly do most of the work myself, she would rather pay the dealership because they warranty their work. She also feels strongly that a "dumb girl" is more likely to be swindled into overpaying for maintenance than a guy. Therefore, I will act as her liaison with the service advisor or mechanic when I bring the car in for service.

For the 150,000 miles service, what kinds of work will be done to the car, and how much should she expect to pay at the Toyota Dealership?

Thank you very much!

[bgrieger]

Originally Posted by theirongiant

Hello Toyota Fans! My girlfriend owns a 2000 Echo with 150,000 miles on the clock. I drive and maintain my own BMW with 204,000. Both of us drive stick.

Welcome!

Originally Posted by theirongiant

First, a question about the clutch. In my car, I'm used to a very stiff clutch pedal--it feels "heavy" and offers plenty of resistance. When I switch to my girlfriend's car, it doesn't take much to push it and get disengaged. Most of the time, I have to press the pedal really close to the floor to get disengagement. Is this because it's an Echo (read: economy car)? Or, is there something genuinely wrong? How long do the master / slave cyliners last on this car? What are some signs that the clutch disc might need to be changed?

I've yet to hear of a master/slave failure. The echo clutch is a featherweight, and is common to small displacement cars everywhere. My Supra weighs a ton stock by comparison. The engagement point does head to the floor over time with any car that does not have a self adjustment mechanism, and adjustment of the pedal will take up the extra slack from wear over the years. It sounds normal, though at that mileage, it might not be all too far from clutch time either. A worn out clutch may start to chatter, make a squeal when engaging or otherwise sound like grinding while slipping it on or off.

Originally Posted by theirongiant

Secondly, I have a question about the maintenance intervals. Her car is due for service at 150,000 miles; while I could certainly do most of the work myself, she would rather pay the dealership because they warranty their work. She also feels strongly that a "dumb girl" is more likely to be swindled into overpaying for maintenance than a guy. Therefore, I will act as her liaison with the service advisor or mechanic when I bring the car in for service.

For the 150,000 miles service, what kinds of work will be done to the car, and how much should she expect to pay at the Toyota Dealership?

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/owners.php This is the Toyota schedule site, they only list the echo to 120000 miles, but knowing what has been done in the past, you can extrapolate what is needed. Price will depend on what is already done from the 120,000 mile list.

Originally Posted by theirongiant

Thank you very much!

No Problem!

Bob

[intoksicated]

holy cow 150000 for a 2000 echo? mine is only at 104,000...

sorry... i just had to throw that in there...